National Gallery Singapore
1 Saint Andrew's Road
https://www.nationalgallery.sg/
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thu 10am - 7pm
Fri - Sun 10am - 11pm
Admission Fees (In SGD $):
Singaporeans: Free
Non-Singaporeans: $20
Estimated Visiting Duration:
2 - 5 Hours
List Of Star Attractions (Must See):
Keppel Centre For Art Education
DBS Singapore Gallery 1, 2, 3
City Hall Chamber
Supreme Court Rotunda & Dome
UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 1 - 15
Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery
Siapa Nama Kamu: Art In Singapore Since The 19th Century
Between Declarations And Dreams: Art Of Southeast Asia Since The 19th Century
Two Figures By Chen Wen Hsi
Epic Poem Of Malaya By Chua Mia Tee
Black Afternoon By Goh Beng Kwan
Shocking Pink Collection By Manit Sriwanichpoom
Voyage Colour Challenge By Twardzik-Ching Chor Leng
List Of Main Attractions (Good To See):
City Hall Foyer
Supreme Court Foyer
Padang Atrium
UOB City Hall Courtyard
Singapore Courtyard
Chief Justice's Office
Chief Justice's Chamber
Courtroom One
Wu Guanzhong Gallery: Beauty Beyond Form
Reflecting Pools
Chua Ek Kay: After The Rain
Who's In The Woods Interactive Exhibit
Black And White By Anthony Poon
National Language Class By Chua Mia Tee
Paling Top By FX Harsono
Lengkung Dinamika By Gregorius Sidharta Soegijo
List Of Other Attractions (For A Complete Experience):
National Gallery Singapore Exterior & Surroundings
Auditorium
Seminar Suite
Concourse Gallery 1 & 2
Holding Cells
Gallery & Co. Gift Shop
Social Table
Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 1, 2, 3
Lower Link Bridge
Upper Link Bridge
Supreme Court Terrace
City Hall Chamber Mezzanine
Level 4 Gallery
Theatrette
Glass Room
Modern Visual Arts Museum Within Historic Buildings
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Visited: Dec-2015
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The National Gallery Singapore opened in November 2015, and is home to the world’s largest public collection of Singapore art, and Southeast Asian art, with over 8,000 artworks spread over 7 galleries. The 64,000 square metre National Gallery Singapore is the largest modern visual arts museum in Singapore, and is housed within 2 restored national monuments, the former Supreme Court Building and former City Hall.
The beautifully restored architecture is as much an attraction of the National Gallery Singapore as the artwork it houses. Of particular note is the Padang Atrium, the awe inspiring main entrance that makes you feel like you're standing in the shade of a giant tree! Be sure to also check out the beautiful former City Hall Chamber with its marble columns, the elegant former Supreme Court Rotunda & Dome with its symmetry and lines, and the outdoor Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery with its Reflecting Pools, green walls, and spectacular views of the city and the bay. Also notable are the restored sections of the Holding Cells, Chief Justice's Office, Chief Justice's Chamber, and Courtroom One.
Of the 2 permanent exhibitions at the National Gallery Singapore, the DBS Singapore Gallery 1, 2, and 3, houses the Siapa Nama Kamu: Art In Singapore Since The 19th Century collection. Meaning "What Is Your Name?", the gallery weaves together a chronological history of Singapore art from the 19th century to the present day, and through its 400 artworks, invites visitors to consider how art may relate to both themselves and the community.
The other permanent exhibit at the National Gallery Singapore is the Between Declarations And Dreams: Art Of Southeast Asia Since The 19th Century, housed in the massive UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 1 - 15. Through the 4 main, interconnected themes of Authority And Anxiety, Imagining Country And Self, Manifesting The Nation, and Re:Defining Art, the exhibit traces the shared artistic impulse across the Southeast Asia region, and how artists sought to incorporate local expressions and aesthetic traditions, even as they grappled with modernity and change.
The National Gallery Singapore also has several rotating exhibits within the City Hall Foyer, Supreme Court Foyer, UOB City Hall Courtyard, Singapore Courtyard, the Concourse Gallery 1 & 2, the Level 4 Gallery, and Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 1, 2, 3. During my visit, on display was Voyage Colour Challenge By Twardzik-Ching Chor Leng, the Wu Guanzhong Gallery: Beauty Beyond Form, and Chua Ek Kay: After The Rain. The Keppel Centre For Art Education here also specifically caters to children, with play areas and lessons on art.
However, the place also has its teething issues. The massive, sprawling floors are a confusing maze, and it's not easy to find your way around without a map (get it from the information counter). There doesn't seem to be a linear flow to the artwork, seemingly more random in nature when you wander around. The historical or cultural value of an artwork is not always immediately evident, and the descriptions of artworks are particularly small and tiny. Staff are quick to prevent people standing close to the pieces (you cannot cross the black line on the floor), this makes reading the tiny words quite difficult, leading to less appreciation of the pieces.
If you're planning a visit, do note that admission fees are Free for Singaporeans, but cost SGD $20 for Non-Singaporeans. Tickets should preferably be purchased online through SISTIC before arrival at the National Gallery Singapore, as admission timing is in blocks of 4 hours (10am, 12pm, 4pm). This is to prevent crowding within the museum, as well as to maximise their visitor's enjoyment. However, once you've entered the National Gallery Singapore, you've free to remain inside as long as you want, but do allocate between 2 - 5 hours of viewing time. There are cafes, and free water coolers within the museum, but do wear a good pair of walking shoes. Photography is allowed, but only without using the flash.
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CONVERSATION