National Gallery Singapore

History and Architecture

The City Hall building in Singapore was where the Japanese signed surrender papers for Southeast Asia occupation in 1945. It’s a long neoclassical building fronted by 18 Corinthian columns. This monument is co-located with the former Supreme Court of Singapore, an Art Deco building with a giant green dome. Together, these two buildings from 1926 are now the National Gallery and house an expansive collection of Southeast Asian art. The rooms of both buildings are available to view in their full restoration, including historical markers identifying prominent features, such as the time capsule for the year 3000, the Rotunda Library and Archive, the Supreme Court terrace, and the roof garden. A video plays in an archive room depicting the vote of the United Nations to admit Singapore, while information displays discuss the Citizenship Ordinance of 1957 that served to commit the British and multiethnic peoples, soon to be nationalistically Singaporian, accepted the terms of citizenship- namely a commitment to vote and for national defense.

Interior shot of the National Gallery Museum
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller

Southeast Asian Art

Singapore is a relatively young country and a particularly small one. Still, they showcase some artists of note, such as Teo Eng Seng and Lim Tze Peng. Most art was from other Southeast Asian countries, but was no less significant to the Singapore art story. The collections span the 19th century to the present and are organized roughly by period. Signage indicates the relative historical and cultural events that influenced the collection. Significant moments stand out, such as colonizations and decolonizations, World Wars and regional conflicts, industrialization, and movements for women, education, and self-actualization.

Workers in a Canteen, 1974, Chua Mia Tee
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller
Family Portrait, 1955, Georgette Chen
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller

Exhibition: Teo Eng Seng: We’re Happy. Are You Happy?

Teo Eng Seng is a Singaporean Cultural Medallion winner. This is Singapore’s highest award for the arts. His works include everything from performance to sculpted paper maché to recycled art and print. He’s foremost a storyteller. This exhibition is a playful commentary on social issues. The installations make you think about taking risks and trying new things in order to express feelings and tell stories. He really wants you to feel the vibe. This eccentric presentation works well with the civic history of the Gallery and the adjacent wings full of conflict-reflecting artwork.

Teo Eng Seng's paper maché artwork
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller
Teo Eng Seng's paper maché artwork
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller

Exhibition: Becoming Lim Tze Peng

At 103 years old, Lim Tze Peng has a vast collection to share. He’s an ink artist, but his style has changed over the decades. He’s also a winner of the Cultural Medallion. Originally he learned to paint the architectural landscapes of Singapore, then of other places in the world. He became an abstract artist, and also a calligraphist. His works give you insight into street life, society, and working life in Southeast Asia, Paris, and beyond. The shaky style of his Chinese ink on rice paper is personal and touching.

Artwork of Lim Tze Peng
PHOTOGRAPH BY Bethany Miller

Practical Info

The National Gallery Singapore has an informative website and information about tickets, tours, exhibitions, and experiences. The digital self-guided tours (from the website) were difficult to follow and lacked information. However, the online audio tours are helpful, whether you’re visiting the museum in person or virtually. The museum is open daily from 10 am until 7 pm. An All Access ticket (AA) costs Singapore $30 for foreigners.

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Bethany Miller

Bethany Miller is a writer, art advisor, and global traveler. She works on projects relating to storytelling and demystifying the art world. She writes a newsletter called Art Advisor and runs an arts education platform called Boundaryless Art. Bethany has a PhD with focus on business psychology and a Masters of Art and Culture Management. Born in the United States, she currently travels internationally full time with her husband.