Tan Teng-Kee, Fire Sculpture, 1979. "The Picnic", Normanton Estate, Singapore. Photograph by and courtesy of Tan Teng-Kee

A seminal exhibition in Singapore’s art history, Tang Da Wu originally exhibited ‘Earth Work’ at the National Museum Art Gallery in 1980, which has been referenced in several essays on Singapore art of the period. Key works in the exhibition include Gully Curtains (1979), Product of the Sun and Me (1980) and Product of the Rain and Me (1980). There was also a selection of drawings made from earth, a rock installation and an earth “map”. The Gallery is showing other works by Tang Da Wu in both the Singapore and SEA permanent exhibitions, and “Earth Work, 1980/2015” will showcase both original and recreated works from Tang’s 1980 exhibition.

‘A Fact Has No Appearance’ investigates the impact of new ideas on Southeast Asian modern art during the 1970s. Through the presentation of artworks by Johnny Manahan (Philippines), Redza Piyadasa (Malaysia) and Tan Teng-Kee (Singapore), the show introduces concepts of ephemerality, textuality and inter-disciplinarity. Their works made links to everyday life and changing society and technology. The exhibition offers alternative, more complex viewpoints as well as new research, and looks beyond standard styles such as social realist painting, and thinking about critical art making; and expands criteria of what is considered Southeast Asian modern art.

Venue: National Gallery Singapore, Concourse Gallery 1, Basement 1, National Gallery Singapore

When: 22 Jan - 19 Jun 2016,

By: National Gallery Singapore