IMBA to Present Landmark Botero Exhibition at Gardens by the Bay

IMBA is set to unveil Botero in Singapore, a landmark exhibition celebrating the legacy of one of the world’s most beloved artists, Maestro Fernando Botero, at Gardens by the Bay. Jointly presented with the Fernando Botero Foundation, the exhibition marks IMBA’s official launch and represents the largest and most ambitious Botero presentation ever staged globally. It will also be the first and only stop in Southeast Asia.

Bringing together more than 130 original works, the exhibition spans three distinct formats:

• the world’s first immersive Botero experience,
• a major gallery exhibition featuring paintings, drawings and indoor sculptures, and
• monumental outdoor sculptures installed at IMBA Theatre and across the Silver Leaf Gardens at Gardens by the Bay.

Botero in Singapore is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, Panasonic Projector & Displays, Eurokars, and Shangri-La Singapore.

IMBA Theatre Opens with a Global Cultural Statement

Purpose-built for immersive experiences and gallery exhibitions, IMBA Theatre debuts as a new cultural venue designed to invite exploration, discovery and cross-generational engagement. Located within Gardens by the Bay, the venue aims to host world-class presentations that are open, relevant and grounded in human experience.

Botero in Singapore sets the tone for IMBA Theatre’s future direction, positioning Singapore as a key gateway for major international cultural presentations in Southeast Asia.

Life in Fullness: The World’s First Immersive Botero Experience

At the heart of the exhibition is Life in Fullness, the world’s first immersive experience dedicated to Fernando Botero, created in close collaboration with the Fernando Botero Foundation. Narrated by Fernando Botero Zea, the artist’s eldest son, the 45-minute audiovisual journey offers an intimate portrait of Botero as both an artist and a man shaped by love, rebellion, loss and humanity.

Blending animation, archival footage and spatial storytelling, the experience brings Botero’s iconic forms to life, revealing the personal stories behind his monumental works. More than a biography, Life in Fullness unfolds as a deeply personal tribute from son to father, tracing Botero’s journey from his Colombian roots to international acclaim.

Heart of Volume: A Comprehensive Gallery Exhibition

Complementing the immersive experience is Heart of Volume, a major gallery exhibition featuring 118 paintings, drawings and indoor sculptures spanning Botero’s 70-year career. Drawn directly from the Botero family collection, the exhibition charts the evolution of his distinctive “Boterismo” style, known for its generous volumes, precise draughtsmanship, theatrical composition and expressive use of colour.

The works reveal Botero’s dialogue with Classical and Renaissance traditions, as well as his engagement with modern masters such as Picasso. The exhibition marks the Singapore premiere of a diverse range of works previously shown in Rome, Baku and Guangzhou, offering audiences a rare and comprehensive encounter with the artist’s enduring legacy.

Garden Grandeur: Monumental Sculptures in Public Space

Extending beyond gallery walls, Garden Grandeur features 10 monumental bronze sculptures: four at IMBA Theatre and six across Gardens by the Bay. Installed amid the lush greenery of the Silver Leaf Gardens, these larger-than-life works transform the outdoor landscape into a civic stage for public art.

A longtime advocate for art in public spaces, Botero believed art should be part of everyday life. The sculptures invite visitors to pause, interact, photograph and reflect, blending humour and gravitas while merging art, nature and city life into a shared cultural experience.

A Culinary Tribute at Shangri-La Singapore

Beyond Gardens by the Bay, five Botero masterpieces will also be displayed at Shangri-La Singapore from 8 January to 1 March 2026. Guests can further immerse themselves in the artist’s spirit with a Botero-inspired Afternoon Tea at The Rose Veranda, where culinary artisans reinterpret Botero’s bold, exuberant aesthetic into a curated selection of sweet and savoury creations.

A Centrepiece of IMBA’s Launch Year

Botero in Singapore forms the centrepiece of IMBA’s official launch in Q1 2026, alongside the Southeast Asia premiere of David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not Smaller and Further Away), presented in partnership with Lightroom UK.