The Asian Civilisations Museum presents the largest showcase of the late Dr Tan Tsze Chor’s esteemed Xiang Xue Zhuang Collection this November, inviting visitors to experience the passion of Chinese art and connoisseurship, and to explore the collection’s cultural impact and influence in advancing the arts scene among the local Chinese community in 1950s–80s Singapore.

Living with Ink: The Collection of Dr Tan Tsze Chor features over 130 artistic and cultural masterpieces from Dr Tan’s collection that underscore creative expressions of Chinese art, including prized pieces by respected Chinese artists Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi, Ren Yi, and Pan Tianshou.

Through the lens of Dr Tan’s collecting career, visitors will get a glimpse into the vibrant art world that blossomed across overseas Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaya amidst the turbulent years of the 20th century. Works of local artists such as Liu Kang and Chen Wen-hsi, who moved in Dr Tan’s circles while he was building his collection, are also on show – illustrating how his collection influenced and inspired local artists.

Mr Kennie Ting, Director of Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum, explains,

“Living with Ink will appeal not only to lovers of Chinese art who are aware of this collection in Singapore’s and the region’s art collecting history, but will also reveal to local and visiting audiences that we have an extremely important and valuable collection of Chinese ink art right here in Singapore – one that is rarely presented in its entirety.”

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

When: 8 Nov 2019 - 26 Apr 2020,

By: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)