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The national art gallery in Singapore
Written by Amirthavarshini on May 12, 2020 Share on

Evoke The Artist In You – A Visit To The National Gallery, Singapore

Art and creativity are timeless, and they hold a special place in our hearts. In Singapore, you can immerse yourself in the magnificent artworks crafted by talented Southeast Asian artists at the National Gallery Singapore. Situated in the Downtown Core district, this art museum opened its doors on November 24th, 2015, and boasts the largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. With over 8,000 artworks on display, the gallery offers a comprehensive exploration of art and culture through various mediums. The National Gallery Singapore focuses on Singapore’s rich cultural heritage and its interconnections with other Asian cultures worldwide. To make the most of your visit to Singapore and delve into the vibrant art scene, consider including a visit to the National Gallery in your Singapore tour package. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of art and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s artistic traditions. Get ready to be inspired and captivated by the artistic wonders that await you at the National Gallery Singapore.

? History of The National Gallery

The National Gallery in Singapore is a result of constant thriving towards becoming a global city for arts and culture. Their efforts to uphold the Singaporean and Asian heritage gave birth to this magnificent gallery. In the year 2005, the Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, announced the conversion of the former Supreme Court building and City Hall into the current National Art Gallery, Singapore. These two national monuments having a combined floor area of 64,000 square meters form the main attraction of the gallery.

National gallery building Singapore
Image Credits: Pixabay

Consisting of modern and contemporary art, The National Gallery Singapore focuses on displaying Singapore and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day. It is home to two permanent galleries namely the DBS Singapore Gallery and the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery. Through its collection, the Gallery will present the development of Singaporean cultures communicating stories of their social, economic, and political history.

DBS Singapore Gallery

The DBS Singapore Gallery is a platform for studying and presenting the cultural aspects and aesthetic identity of Singapore from the colonial period to the present day.

UOB Southeast Asia Gallery

Housed in the former Supreme Court building, the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery presents the history of Southeast Asian art, starting from the 19th century.

Firstly, the National Collection started with an original bequest of 93 works in 1976, by the well-known cinema magnate and art patron, Dato Loke Wan Tho. Later, the gallery was expanded with splendid works of Southeast Asian artists like Georgette Chen, Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng, and Liu Kang from Singapore. Followed by Affandi (Indonesia), Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Philippines), Latiff Mohidin (Malaysia), Le Pho (Vietnam), and Montien Boonma (Thailand). The National Heritage Board is presently taking care of this vast collection.

Front view design of the National gallery singapore
Image credits: Wikipedia

The National Gallery Singapore also conducts exhibitions, programs for students, workshops for artists and art practitioners, and many other such events. The gallery is known for its Keppel Center for Art Education, which are art classes and discussions held in an artistic environment, stimulating the creativity in young and potential future artists.

It’s through art and art only one can learn patience, persistence, and perfection! The National Gallery Singapore is a different getaway Location that will take you through the vintage times. It allows you to rediscover what we lost in the past. The National Gallery in Singapore is waiting for your arrival! Plan your trip to Singapore right away with Pickyourtrail that will help you to travel through time!

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