National Gallery Singapore

Five women, over 50 artworks and one shared mission. This exhibition brings Southeast Asian artists Amanda Heng (Singapore), Dolorosa Sinaga (Indonesia), Imelda Cajipe-Endaya (Philippines), Nirmala Dutt (Malaysia) and Phaptawan Suwannakudt (Thailand) to display their work together in Singapore for the very first time. But more than just an art showcase, Fear No Power is a space to have a conversation about meaningful change and the artists’ decades-long commitment to it. Featuring photography, paintings, sculptures and performances that date all the way back to the 1960s, this multidisciplinary exhibition examines the concept of communal world-building across the region and what it means to forge a community. Every piece of work is an intimate and powerful reflection deeply rooted in care, collaboration and resistance.

In this larger-than-life artwork taking over the National Gallery’s Padang Atrium, contemporary Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul captures the dynamic and passionate cultures and lives that make up the diverse Singaporean community. Following a year-long engagement with migrant workers, indigenous groups and faith organisations, the artist’s revelations and discoveries are translated into spectacular billboard paintings, video interviews and a travelogue that celebrates their vibrant stories and voices. The showcase is supported by an enriching two-part programme that highlights the people who have inspired the installation. Join in on fireside chats with the artist to explore behind the scenes and the empowering migrant stories. Singaporama Unfolded Part I centres on Kaugnay, an organisation for Filipina domestic workers, and its fabulous Trashion Show, while Part II traces the history of migration in Singapore. The latter presents a performance of a traditional Indian folk dance by Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) Ambassadors, alongside a discussion on identity, community and collaboration.

For the first time ever, the National Gallery is hosting the largest solo exhibition dedicated to the prolific Chinese ink artist He Xiangning in Singapore. The exhibition presents over 50 of He’s works, including paintings, calligraphy, poetry and other archival materials that provide an extensive deep dive into her creative world. More than just an artist, He was also recognised as a political figure and feminist activist. Born in Hong Kong in 1879, she was one of the first Chinese women to study art in Japan, which made her part of the Lingnan school. Her work often draws on motifs such as lions, pine trees, and wintry landscapes to express resilience, solidarity, and moral conviction during a revolutionary movement in modern China. The exhibition is divided into four sections that chart the evolution of her practice alongside the history intertwined with it. Ink and Intent also examines He’s enduring influence on Chinese modern art and her connections to Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore and Penang.

Desire, passion and intimacy are at the centre of this thought-provoking exhibition at the National Gallery. Featuring over 70 works across painting, print, video and sculpture, Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art examines the way artists in the region have interpreted the complexities of human connection, and how cultures and beliefs have shaped this delicate expression of longing over the years. The showcase expands and builds upon Trip to Bali, a 1953 essay published by Nanyang artist Liu Kang that argues how physical acts of deep passion and desire can act as a creative force in helping us better understand the way we respond and react to the world around us. The exhibition is formatted in three sections: Asian Mythos and Ritual, Conventions of the Erotic, and Public Arenas/Private Interiors. Each section imagines the different ways of being across various cultural and historical contexts. Take note that the exhibition is rated R18 and is open to visitors aged 18 and above only. Valid identification is required at entry.

Play, discovery, nature and art all come together at the National Gallery’s newest children’s art exhibition, When Art Meets Nature: Reimagining Nature Through Art and Play. Co-curated with Taiwan’s Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, this multi-sensory showcase is inspired by the colours, textures and sounds from the world around us, turning the gallery into a lush forest ecosystem. The entire exhibition is built around two immersive installations that draw deeply from the natural environment to explore our relationship with Mother Nature. At first glance, Peace Forest by Singaporean artist Soh Ee Shaun, looks like a cosy playground filled with soft sculptures shaped like trees and animals. But it’s more than that: It encourages kids to discover how the creatures found in these green spaces play a role in helping to sustain and protect our planet. On the other hand, Where the River Runs by Taiwanese artist Yenting Hsu, is an interactive experience that uses audio and books to dive deep into the indigenous stories, wisdom and traditions of communities living along the Dahan River in Taiwan.