He Xiangning: Ink and Intent is the first retrospective in Southeast Asia dedicated to the pioneering 20th-century Chinese woman ink artist. Opening on 1 April 2026, the bilingual exhibition features over 50 artworks presented across four chronological sections, tracing He Xiangning’s (何香凝) remarkable life and artistic practice over seven decades. Specially adapted for its presentation in Singapore, the exhibition highlights the artist’s historical connections with Southeast Asia, including her visits to Singapore and the Philippines in 1929, where she staged charity art exhibitions with the support of local and overseas Chinese communities.
Born in 1878, He Xiangning was a celebrated Chinese ink painter, revolutionary, and social activist. Her artworks are deeply intertwined with the social and cultural transformation of modern China. Beyond her artistic practice, He was actively involved in the political movements of her time and was among the earliest women to join the Tongmenghui – a revolutionary alliance founded in 1905 to overthrow the Qing dynasty. In the decades that followed, she continued to play an important role in China. A committed advocate for women’s rights, she became a prominent figure in the early women’s liberation movement and initiated one of the country’s earliest International Women’s Day rallies in 1924.
Drawing on the continuous collaboration between both institutions, He Xiangning: Ink and Intent moves beyond the customary focus on He’s political career to present a unique curatorial narrative that positions the artist as a pioneering figure across social, political, and artistic spheres. The exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of her practice across different periods, highlighting her enduring influence on modern Chinese ink painting.
This exhibition builds on the collaboration between National Gallery Singapore and the He Xiangning Art Museum, following Georgette Chen: At Home in the World, which travelled to Shenzhen from 9 August to 7 December 2025.
Venue: Wu Guanzhong Gallery, Level 4, City Hall Wing, National Gallery Singapore
When: 1 Apr - 23 Aug 2026,
By: National Gallery Singapore
