After five long years, the transformation of two of Singapore most recognisable National Monuments, the former Supreme Court and City Hall into the National Gallery Singapore, is finally complete. The new cultural institution, which oversees the largest collection of modern art in Southeast Asia, will open its doors to the public tomorrow – an event that is being accompanied with a big bash.
Visitors to the gallery can expect to see a display of Singapore and Southeast Asian art drawn from Singapore’s huge National Collection in the permanent exhibitions, Siapa Nama Kamu? – featuring close to 400 works of Singapore art since the 19th Century, and Between Declarations and Dreams, which features close to 400 works of Southeast Asian art from the same period. There will also be two special exhibitions that can be caught from 26 Nov 2015 to 3 May 2016. One, Beauty Beyond Form, features the donated works of traditional Chinese painter, Wu Guanzhong. The other After the Rain, will see 38 works of one of Singapore’s leading ink painters, Chua Ek Kay on display. Also on display will be the beautifully restored interiors of the two buildings, and the stunning impact the architectural interventions have had on them (see also : The National Gallery, Naked).
More information on the National Museum’s opening celebrations and visitor information can be found on the celebrations brochure (pdf) and also at the National Gallery Singapore’s website. Admission to the National Gallery Singapore will be free for all visitors from 24 November to 6 December 2015.
A Sneak Peek at the National Gallery Singapore
The former Supreme Court, which houses the galleries of the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Art in a former courtroom.
The former Courtroom No. 1.
Manit Sriwanichpoom’s Shocking Pink Collection.
Reflections on the Rotunda Dome.
The former Courtroom No. 1.
The spiral staircase to the main Supreme Court dome.
An art resource centre in the former Rotunda Library.
Inside the resource centre.
City Hall, which houses the DBS Singapore Gallery, the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery, the Wu Guanzhong Gallery and several education centres
The Keppel Centre for Art Education.
Chua Mia Tee’s Epic Poem of Malaya.
Liu Kang’s Life by the River.
The DBS Singapore Gallery.
Lots to think about …
City Hall Chamber.
The red SG50 Steinway.
Not quite a permanent display.
Miscellaneous Views (see also: The National Gallery, naked)
The columns of City Hall.
Corridors of the former Supreme Court – the original rubber tiles, which contained asbestos, had to be replaced.
Another view.
The former City Hall Courtyard.
The roof terrace bars at City Hall …
… provide stunning views of the cityscape.
The view of the Padang, the Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands from the roof terrace.
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