National Gallery Singapore Makes History at 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia

In a groundbreaking moment for Singapore’s cultural scene, the National Gallery Singapore proudly announces the participation of artists from its esteemed collection in the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This marks the first time artists from the Gallery’s collection have been invited to feature in the Main Exhibition of this prestigious event, curated by Adriano Pedrosa and titled “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere”.

The selected artworks will be showcased in the “Nucleo Storico” section of the Main Exhibition, under the sub-section titled “Portraits”. This segment aims to expand the narrative of modernism beyond Eurocentric perspectives by highlighting stories from the Global South, focusing on artists whose journeys spanned continents and contexts throughout the 20th century.

With a collection boasting over 8,000 works, the National Gallery Singapore holds the largest public collection of modern art from Southeast Asia. This collection serves as a unique foundation for transnational curatorial and research endeavors, positioning art from Singapore and Southeast Asia as integral components of global art histories.

The eight selected artworks by Southeast Asian artists from the Gallery’s collection include pieces ranging from self-portraits to depictions of working-class and indigenous individuals. Notable works featured are “Jeune fille en blanc” (Young Girl in White) (1931) by Lê Phổ (Vietnam/France), “Self Portrait” (c. 1946) by Georgette Chen (China/Singapore), and “Orang Irian dengan burung tjenderawasih” (Irian Man with Bird of Paradise) (1948) by Emiria Sunassa (Indonesia).

This milestone not only provides a platform for Southeast Asian artists but also aligns with the National Gallery Singapore’s mission to foster connections and share the narratives of artists from the region on a global stage. The presentation of these works alongside those of other prominent artists from the Global South is significant, offering overdue recognition to these artists and inspiring further research.

In addition to the Biennale Arte 2024, works from the National Gallery Singapore collection have been featured in various international platforms, including the 11th Taipei Biennial (2018), the 58th Carnegie International (2022–2023), and the 15th Sharjah Biennial (2023). Collaborations with esteemed institutions such as Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, and Tate Britain have further showcased Southeast Asian art on an international scale.

The 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia commences on April 20th and runs until November 24th, 2024.

Pavilion of Singapore Spotlights “Seeing Forest” by Robert Zhao Renhui

In addition to the Main Exhibition, Singapore’s presence at La Biennale di Venezia extends to the Pavilion of Singapore, featuring “Seeing Forest” by Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui.

Curated by Haeju Kim, this exhibition is presented at the Arsenale’s Sale d’Armi building and is commissioned by the National Arts Council, Singapore, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and organized by the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).