New exhibition on decolonisation to launch Nov 18 at National Gallery Singapore; includes over 200 artworks
The exhibition features the work of approximately 70 renowned Southeast Asian and Latin American artists.
A new exhibition titled Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America will be open to visitors from Nov 18, 2023 to Mar 24, 2024 at the National Gallery Singapore.
Featuring the work of approximately 70 Southeast Asian and Latin American artists, the showcase will feature over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, performances and sensorial installations.
This will be the world’s first large-scale museum exhibition to compare artistic expressions between both places, united by their struggles against colonialism.
According to the National Gallery Singapore, it spans the 20th century and displays how artists from these regions forged connections and nurtured solidarities, defiantly reclaiming their place within the story of art.
Some highlights include the works of Tan Oe Pang and late artists Patrick Ng Kah Onn and Frida Kahlo.
Tan Oe Pang is a classically trained ink artist under Fan Chang Tien in Singapore. His practice ranges from calligraphy, figurative and abstract compositions in ink, to works on oil on canvas and aluminium.
Additionally, self-portraiture techniques with batik (wax-resist dyeing) will be featured at the exhibition by artist Patrick Ng Kah Onn.
Frida Kahlo’s artwork vividly reflects her support for the working class and marginalised communities in early 20th century Mexico that stemmed from her socialist beliefs. She is known for her self portraits in the surrealism art style.
Interested visitors may purchase tickets from National Gallery Singapore’s website starting from September.
