Chua Mia Tee (蔡名智) (b. 1931, China), Epic Poem of Malaya, 1955 Oil on canvas 107 x 125.5 cm, Collection of National Gallery Singapore
An exhibition of around 400 artworks will present a cohesive regional narrative about Southeast Asian modern art. The curatorial direction was announced today as National Gallery Singapore introduced its long-term exhibition Between Declarations and Dreams that will be presented at the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery.
Presented chronologically from the 19th century to the 1990s, and conveying shared artistic impulses and historical experiences, the curatorial approach breaks away from national frameworks to tell the story of Southeast Asian modern art. The exhibition draws from Singapore’s National Collection as well as significant loans from private and institutional collections. The Gallery is privileged to present a selection of important artworks on long-term loan from collections in the region, including from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as from the Southeast Asian collections of our MOU partners Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam. The Gallery will also present newly-acquired nineteenth-century masterpieces by Raden Saleh and Juan Luna, as well as new acquisitions of Southeast Asian modern art by Fua Haribhitak, Chuah Thean Teng, and David Medalla, to name a few.
The title Between Declarations and Dreams is taken from a 1948 poem by Indonesian author Chairil Anwar, who epitomised the modern artist as a creative individual. The phrase captures the experience of artists in Southeast Asia, working between the historical, ideological or political markers that frame their practice, and the personal, subjective, expressive and creative motivations in art-making.
The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery, will occupy three levels of the former Supreme Court building. It will open its doors to the public together with the rest of the Gallery on 24 November 2015. Visitors will also have access to other gallery spaces featuring Singapore modern art and interactive learning facilities. Admission to the Gallery is free during the Opening Celebrations from 24 November to 6 December 2015. Following this period, admission to the permanent galleries will continue to be free for Singaporeans and permanent residents.
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 10am – 7pm, 27 – 29 Nov & 4 – 6 Dec 10am – 11pm
Venue: National Gallery Singapore, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
When: 24 Nov 2015 - 31 Dec 2017,
By: National Gallery Singapore
