Online Brochure - Singapore Art Museum

COMING SOON 

Credit Suisse: Innovation In Art Series 

Natee Utarit: After Painting 

1 October 2010 to 13 February 2011 

Singapore Art Museum 

Natee Utarit, Tales of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (detail), 2009, oil on linen, 240 x 200 cm, Singapore Art Museum collection 

Presenting Sponsor 

The Quarterly 

JUL 

SEP 

to 2010

Contents Page 

About SAM Page 4 

Director’s Message Page 5 

Calendar Page 6 

Exhibitions Page 8 

Acquisitions Page 18 

Public Programmes Page 28 

Education Programmes Page 34 

Support SAM Page 38 

Dining Page 40 

Shopping Page 41 

Rental Page 41 

SAM Moments Page 42 

General Information Page 47 

Cover image: Vincent Leow, White Portrait, 

2009, oil on canvas, 100 x 80 cm, 

artist collection 

All information is correct at the time of print. 

Please refer to www.singaporeartmuseum.sg for the latest updates. 

02 03

About SAM 

Director’s Message 

Dawn Ng, Walter, 2010, PVC helium float, 6.7 x 10 m, artist collection 

Opened in January 1996, the mission of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is to preserve and present 

the art histories and contemporary art practices of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. To 

date, SAM has amassed one of the world’s largest public collections of modern and contemporary 

Southeast Asian artworks, with a growing component in international contemporary art. The museum 

showcases both local and international art practices, traditional and cutting edge art expressions. 

Through strategic alliances with international arts and cultural institutions, SAM facilitates visual arts 

education, exchange, research and development within the region and internationally. 

We enter the second half of the year where, as we build a stellar collection of contemporary 

Southeast Asian art for the nation, we also expand avenues to share them with people in Singapore 

and enhance the learning opportunities that can be gained from these works. 

Not many people are privy to the building of a national art collection. As custodians of Singapore’s 

art collection, SAM is also responsible for presenting these works as much as possible. In this issue, 

we take a look at how works are acquired and added to the national collection, and highlight some 

of our recent key acquisitions. 

SAM Board 

Chair 

Ms. Jane Ittogi, Partner, Shook Lin & Bok LLP 

Members 

Dr. Winston Ang Wee Kern, Assistant Professor, Visual and Performing Arts Academic Group, 

National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University 

Mr. Kenneth Choe, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs (Singapore) 

Dr. Kwok Kian Woon, Associate Chair (Academic), School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 

Nanyang Technological University 

Mr. Qi Yu Wu, MediaCorp Artist, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures 

Dr. George Quek, Chairman, BreadTalk Group Limited 

Mr. Quek Tse Kwang, Partner, RT & Q Architects 

Mr. Ronny C T Tan, Chief Country Officer and General Manger, Deutsche Bank AG 

Mr. Suhaimi Sukiyar, Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya (Association of Artists of Various Resources) 

Mr. Wee Teng Wen, Founder and Principle Partner, The Lo & Behold Group Pte Ltd 

The national collection possesses works that enable a number of entry points to understanding 

contemporary art, as well as offer insights into the socio-political issues, histories and cultural 

identities of our region. We have opened the Learning Gallery, designed for young visitors to better 

appreciate works in the SAM collection and get involved in contemporary art making. The 

Programme Space on the second level of SAM at 8Q offers a new location for people and artists 

alike to gather and embark on an art activity together. 

We continue our push to present seminal exhibitions by individual artists. Tags and Treats: Works by 

Vincent Leow offers a mid-career survey of a prolific and pivotal artist who has helped shape 

contemporary and performance art practice in Singapore. 

Preparations for the third Singapore Biennale, which opens to the public on 6 March 2011, are 

gearing up. If you haven’t already heard, we share with you the first ten artists. They will be creating 

works especially for the Biennale. 

Contemporary art is about the here and now. At SAM, we work with contemporary artists and the 

world around us – and that includes you, our valued patrons. So pop by once more and see what 

else is in store this quarter! 

Ms. Audrey Wong, Nominated Member of Parliament and Associate Director, The Substation 

Tan Boon Hui 

Director 


04 05

Calendar 

EXHIBITIONS 

Singapore Youth Festival Art 

and Crafts Exhibition 

23 July to 22 August 

SAM 

Tags & Treats: 

Works by Vincent Leow 

6 August to 17 October 

SAM at 8Q 

Choy Ka Fai: 

Lang Fang Chronicles 

26 August to 26 September 

SAM at 8Q 

Cheong Soo Pieng: 

Bridging Worlds 

16 September to 26 December 

SAM 

Realism in Asian Art 

Runs through 4 July 

SAM 

Art Garden: Children’s Season 

at the Singapore Art Museum 

Runs through 18 July 

SAM at 8Q 

Ming Wong: Life of Imitation 

Runs through 22 August 

SAM 

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei 

Runs through 12 September 

SAM 

Seeing the Kites Again 

又见风筝 : 吴冠中捐赠作品展 

Runs through 14 December 

SAM 

Earth and Water: 

Mapping Art in Southeast Asia 

Runs through 1 January 2011 

SAM 

PROGRAMMES 

Jul 

Fri, 2 Jul | 7pm – 9 pm | SAM 

Photography Talk Sessions 

Fri, 16 Jul – Sat, 17 Jul | 7:30pm – 2am | SAM & 

SAM at 8Q 

Night Festival 

Sat, 24 Jul – Sun, 25 Jul | 9am – 4pm | SAM at 8Q 

Child-Parent Photo Experience by Popular 

Sat, 24 Jul – Sat, 31 Jul | 10am – 7pm | Chapel, 

Level 2, SAM 

SilkAir Destination Photography Showcase 

Sat, 24 Jul | 10am – 8pm | SAM 

ClubSNAP Live at SAM 

Sun, 25 Jul | 10am – 5:30pm | SAM 


Fri, 30 Jul | 7pm – 9pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, SAM 

Originals Only Open Mike 

Sat, 31 Jul | 4pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, SAM 

120 Malay Movies Book Launch 

Aug 

Fri, 6 Aug | 7pm – 9 pm | SAM 


Fri, 6 Aug | 7:30pm | Chapel, Level 2, SAM 

Public Talk: Films of Change in Early 

Singapore Cinema by Timothy P. Barnard 

Sun, 8 Aug | 8am – 5pm | The Istana 

Istana Art Event 2010 

Mon, 9 Aug | 1pm – 5pm | SAM & SAM at 8Q 

National Day Open House 

Tue, 10 Aug | 7:30pm – 8:30pm | SAM at 8Q 

Meet the Artist: A Gallery Tour with Vincent 

Leow 

Thu, 12 Aug | 7:30pm - 8:30pm | SAM at 8Q 

Curator’s Tour: On Identity and Legacy 


Public Talk: Imagining Nanyang: Southeast 

Asia as framed in Wong Kar Wai Movies 

Thu, 19 Aug | 7:30pm – 8:30pm | SAM at 8Q 

Curator’s Tour: The Development of 

Singapore Contemporary Art Through the 

Works of Vincent Leow 

Fri, 20 Aug – Sun, 22 Aug | 12pm – 10pm; until 

8pm on Sun | SAM 

Singapore HeritageFest 2010 at SAM 

“What Brings Us Together?” 

Fri, 27 Aug | 7pm – 9pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, 

SAM 


Sep 

Mon, 1 Sep – Sun, 14 Sep | 10am – 5pm; until 

9pm on Fri | SAM 

Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 

Fri, 3 Sep | 7pm – 9 pm | SAM at 8Q 


Fri, 10 Sep | 1pm – 5pm | SAM & SAM at 8Q 

Hari Raya Open House 

Fri, 17 Sep – Sun, 26 Sep | 10am – 7pm, until 

1am on Fri & Sat | SAM 

Digital Nights Singapore 

Fri, 24 Sep | 7pm – 9pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, 

SAM 


EDUCATION 

PROGRAMMES 

Public Workshops 

Every Fri | 2pm, 4pm | SAM at 8Q 

Every Sat | 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm | SAM at 

8Q 

Art for Toddlers 

Every Sat | 11am and 4pm | SAM at 8Q 

Art for Children 

Every Mon and Fri | 10am, 11:30am, 2pm, 4pm 

| SAM at 8Q 

Mums and Tots 

Every Mon | 2pm | SAM at 8Q 

Every Fri | 10am | SAM at 8Q 

Every Sat | 11am and 4pm | SAM at 8Q 

Fine Arts for Adult 

For Schools Only 

Every Thu | 10:30am – 12pm | SAM 

Deutsche Bank Art Bus Programme 

Learning Gallery Programmes 

Every Thu & Fri | 10am – 11:30am or 

2:30pm – 4pm | SAM 

Art Trail 

Every Thu & Fri |10am – 11:30am or 

2.30pm – 4pm | SAM 

Art Talk 

Every Mon and Tue | 10am – 12:30pm or 

2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 

Everyday Life 


2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 

Everyday Food 


2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 

Everyday Objects 

Every Tue, Thur, Fri | 3pm – 5:15pm | SAM 

Every Thur, Fri | 10am – 12:15pm | SAM 

Available for the month of July only 

Dramatic Encounters: The Learning Gallery 

Life of Imitation Programmes 


Available till 22 August 

Life of Imitation Education Workshop 

Every Tue, Thu, Fri | 3pm – 5:15pm | SAM 

Every Thu, Fri | 10am – 12:15pm | SAM 

Available for the month of July only 

Dramatic Encounters: Life of Imitation 

06 07

Tags & Treats: 

Works by Vincent Leow 

6 August to 17 October 2010 

SAM at 8Q 

Curator’s Tour: On Identity and Legacy 

The first exhibition in an annual series celebrating pivotal contemporary Singapore artists, SAM 

curator, David Chew explores the diverse artistic practice of Vincent Leow. In over 20 years, Leow 

has gone from being a vivid visual imagist to a controversial performance artist. This tour allows 

audiences to experience through the exhibition installations the various explorations and 

directions of Leow's work. 


$10. Registration required. Please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg. 

Curator’s Tour: 

The Development of Singapore Contemporary Art Through the Works of Vincent Leow 

Join SAM curator Khairuddin Hori as he gives a first-hand account of the development of 

contemporary art in Singapore from the 80s to present day, using the different artistic phases in 

Vincent Leow's overall career to show the different stages of this development. 

Vincent Leow, Andy’s Prank (pink), 2006, stainless steel in edition of 5, 100 x 60 x 50 cm, artist collection 

Vincent Leow has carved out an important role in Singapore’s contemporary art development 

through over two decades of art practice that is rooted in debates over the contemporary 

Singapore identity. This mid-career survey of Leow’s prolific oeuvre offers a balanced perspective 

of Leow’s work, which has often been known primarily for the provocative and aggressive. The 

exhibition highlights the surprisingly meditative tone and emotive quality in many of his works, 

revealing an artist who still continues to explore issues of identity, memory, mortality and its legacies. 

The title Tags and Treats refers both to pet identity tags, as well as military dog tags that are often 

used to identify the dead or wounded in war. The military dog tag is a reference to Leow’s 

inspiration for his new works, the Latin phrase Momento Mori (“Remember you will die”), while the 

pet tag is a remembrance of Andy, his beloved late pet, which he transforms into a hybrid dog-man 

image in his work. Leow, in his trademark whimsical style, uses the allegory of pets to take the 

severity out of the grim issue of mortality. The “treat” of a life well-lived is that of one’s legacy 

remembered and left behind. The exhibition, with its explorations, marks a milestone of a new 

direction and focus in Leow’s artistic practice. 

Meet the Artist: A Gallery Tour with Vincent Leow 

Artist Vincent Leow will take visitors on a special walkthrough of his artwork and talk about the 

subjects that have captivated his artistic imagination, as well as the styles and approaches that have 

characterised his work from the past to the present day. Leow is an artist who enjoys discussing 

reactions and interpretations to his work, and visitors can expect a lively and interactive tour. 

Tue, 10 Aug | 7:30pm - 8:30pm | SAM at 8Q 




Choy Ka Fai: 

The Lang Fang Chronicles 

26 August to 26 September 2010 

SAM at 8Q 

The Lang Fang Chronicles project is inspired by investigations into the histories of the Lang Fang 

Republic (1777 to 1884). Established by the Hakka Chinese in West Kalimantan, the Republic 

lasted for 107 years before it disintegrated into nothing but a legend to its living descendents. 

This project looks at the concept of insignificant histories and its parallels with the history of 

modern Singapore. This research-based work will culminate in a series of visual art, theatre and 

film presentations. 

Choy Ka Fai is a new media artist, performer, theatre and film director. Formerly Associate Artistic 

Director of TheatreWorks (Singapore), Choy is a recipient of the National Arts Council Arts 

Creation Fund 2009, which has enabled the research and development of his new artistic project, 

The Lang Fang Chronicles. As part of SAM’s commitment to supporting emerging local talents, 

the museum is proud to be the venue sponsor for the mid-project presentation of Choy’s new 

work-in-progress. 

08 09

Art Garden: 

Children’s Season at the 


Runs through 18 July 2010 

SAM at 8Q 

Ming Wong: 

Life of Imitation 

Runs through 22 August 2010 

SAM 

Enter a world of wonder and imagination as SAM at 8Q is transformed into a magical ‘art garden’ 

showcasing artworks inspired by nature. Titled Art Garden, this interactive contemporary art 

exhibition is specially designed for children and families to explore and see the world in new and 

different ways. 

Ming Wong, Life of Imitation, 2009, video installation, Singapore Art Museum collection 

Meet Walter, a curious colossal rabbit by Dawn Ng. Hop into Walter's Garden and learn about 

colours, shapes and develop psychomotor skills through play. Learn about plant life-cycle through 

Presented by artist Ming Wong and curated by Tang Fu Kuen, Life of Imitation celebrates and 

Floribots, an award winning work by Geoffrey Drake-Brockman, featuring 128 giant robot flowers 

reflects on the Golden Age of Singapore cinema in the 1950s and 60s: an era of nation building, 

that 'grow' before your very eyes and 'bloom' pink and yellow. Step into The Enchanted Forest, 

struggle, rapid modernisation and cinematic utopia. 

Sandra Lee’s beautifully illustrated, mixed media work where sheep fly and imaginary animals roam 

freely. Venture into Theodore Watson’s and Emily Gobeille’s Funky Forest, where your movements 

Inspired by the rich legacy, Wong re-reads ‘national cinema’ as mediated by language, 

will make streams 'flow' and trees 'grow', or run over a field of Daisies. Enter a surreal world of 

role-playing and identity. He re-interprets films which engage with notions of mis-casting and 

stop-motion animation and cheer for the Ringmaster as she battles chocolate monsters and other 

parroting, and reflects on Singapore’s roots, hybridity and the politics of becoming. The first work 

villains in Joo Choon Lin’s STOP in here and get into the MOTION! 

is based on a compendium of works by P. Ramlee, the wunderkind of Malay cinema. The second 

re-presents a scene from the Hollywood melodrama Imitation of Life (1959) by Douglas Sirk about 

Art Garden is supported by information labels, hands-on activities, and an activity book designed 

a black mother and her “white” daughter. The third re-creates the scene in Wong Kar Wai’s In the 

for children. You can also catch a short film at the Moving Image Gallery, read picture books on 

Mood for Love (2000) with actress Maggie Cheung rehearsing a scene where she confronts her 

loan from the National Library Board or learn more about art at the Programme Space. 

spouse‘s infidelity. The exhibition also unveils cinema posters by Singapore’s last surviving 

billboard painter; rare screen memorabilia of a private collector; and documentaries by film-maker 

Usual exhibition admission charges apply. Free admission for children aged 6 and below. Each 

Sherman Ong. 

child must be accompanied by an adult holding a valid exhibition admission ticket. 

This award-winning exhibition, organised by the National Arts Council, premiered at the 

Sponsors 

Supporting TV Channel 

Singapore Pavilion in the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009, and won Special Mention from the jury. 

This is the highest accolade ever received by Singapore at the prestigious international art 

platform. SAM is proud to re-stage the show on home ground with a new design and additional 

exhibits before taking the exhibition overseas. 

10 11

Public Talk: Imagining Nanyang: Southeast Asia as framed in Wong Kar Wai movies 

Known internationally as an auteur for his stylised films, Shanghai-born director Wong Kar Wai not 

only depicted diasporic Chinese communities on celluloid but also located them in trans-national 

sites and enclaves across the world. This talk explores how he framed the Chinese communities 

of the region, especially those of Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia in the 1960s. Examined 

against broader narratives of Nanyang, these are illustrative of larger social and cultural 

connections between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia generated for consumption by a larger 

diasporic Chinese market via popular and literary cultures. 

Lai Chee Kien is Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, National University of 

Singapore. He researches on histories of art, architecture, settlements, urbanism and landscapes in 

Southeast Asia. 


Free admission. 

Ming Wong, Four Malay Stories (based on films by P. Ramlee), 2005, 4 channel video installation, 

Singapore Art Museum collection 

120 Malay Movies Book Launch 

120 Malay Movies is a cheerfully irreverent romp through the films that were made through the 

studio system in Singapore and subsequently Kuala Lumpur from 1948 to 1972. Malaysian writer 

and filmmaker Amir Muhammad watched 120 films, about a third of all Malay-language films made 

during that period, in chronological order and responds to the films in our contemporary context. 

Sat, 31 Jul | 4pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, SAM 


Public Talk: Films of Change in Early Singapore Cinema by Timothy P. Barnard 

This talk focuses on five films that changed the culture of filmmaking in Singapore during the 

“Golden Era” of Malay filmmaking from 1940 to 1967. They presented a shift in how films were 

made and understood at a period in which major issues of technology, narrative and 

independence were being debated. The focus will be on films ranging from Mutiara (The Pearl, 

1940) to Badang (1962). 

Timothy P. Barnard is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the National University 

of Singapore, where he specialises in the environmental and cultural history of the Malay World. 



Education Programmes for Schools 

Life of Imitation Education Workshop 

Designed for primary and secondary children, this workshop is made up of an education tour that 

encourages students to discuss their feelings and reaction to the artworks and an interactive 

session that invites students to re-enact and create voice-overs for a segment from Four Malay 

Stories, one of the artworks on display. This unique experience allows students to interact with 

the artwork in a new way to explore film narrative and identity. 

Available till 22 August. 


For 9 to 14 years old 

Free admission. Limited to 20 students per session, on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Dramatic Encounters: Life of Imitation 

This workshop uses drama techiniques to engage participants with the artworks through active 

discussion, reflection and expression of their personal opinions about the artworks. Focusing on 

processes like examining and discussing context, issues and themes brought up by the artworks, 

students get to draw upon their own personal relevance to these artworks and form their own 

opinions on issues like urbanisation, language and identity. 

This workshop is a collaboration between SAM and the Singapore Polytechnic Applied Drama 

and Psychology programme. 

Available for the month of July only. 

Every Tue, Thu, Fri | 3pm – 5:15pm | SAM 

Every Thu & Fri | 10am – 12:15pm | SAM 

For 15 to 17 years old / upper secondary 

Free admission. Limited to 40 students per session, on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

All education programmes for school bookings only. 

12 

Interested schools, please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg or call 6332 3220. 

13

Singapore Youth Festival 

Art and Crafts Exhibition 

23 July to 22 August 2010 

SAM 

Cheong Soo Pieng: 

Bridging Worlds 

16 September to 26 December 2010 

SAM 

Uraiwan Songmunstaporn, Simple Wonder, 2010, paper, 545 x 220 cm, artist collection 

The annual Singapore Youth Festival Art and Crafts Exhibition is a national school event that aims 

to showcase artistic talents of students and promote art appreciation in schools. Co-organised by 

the Ministry of Education and The National Art Gallery, Singapore, the 2010 exhibition features 

selected artworks from secondary schools, Integrated Programme schools, junior colleges and 

centralised institutes. 

This year, the theme of the exhibition Torch of Friendship exemplifies our youths’ desire to 

propagate what is best for oneself as well as others through the metaphor of the torch. The torch 

represents the ideals of the Olympics. It connotes friendship, a harmonious relationship of mutual 

respect and trust, and signifies the inner drive to do one’s best and to improve oneself. 

Cheong Soo Pieng, Drying Salted Fish, (detail) 1978, Chinese ink and colour on cloth, 55.5 x 88.5 cm, collection of 

National Heritage Board 

One of the most experimental and influential Southeast Asian artists of his generation, Cheong 

Soo Pieng produced works that pushed the boundaries of art-making throughout his lifetime. The 

exhibition Cheong Soo Pieng: Bridging Worlds celebrates the remarkable achievements of this master 

artist, and examines his process of art-making as well as his sources of influence and inspiration. 

Characterised by a constant search for new materials and impressions, Cheong was influenced 

by a wide variety of cultural sources from the East and Southeast Asia, as well as the West. The 

desire to experiment shaped and marked Cheong’s artistic practice. It influenced how he 

developed new styles, pictorial motifs and symbols, breaking new ground in abstract and 

figurative art. 

Jointly Organised With 

As part of the Singapore Youth Festival 

Through an extensive display of more than 300 of his drawings, sketches and artworks, many 

shown publicly for the first time, Cheong Soo Pieng: Bridging Worlds chronicles the journey of a 

man who lived and breathed art. Visitors can explore the mind of one of Singapore’s finest artists, 

understand the impact he made on modern and contemporary art, and appreciate why his artistic 

influence continues to resonate today. 

This show is a special research exhibition by The National Art Gallery, Singapore, held on the 

premises of SAM. 

Sponsor 

LEE KIM TAH 

HOLDINGS LIMITED 

Exhibition Design 

studioMilou singapore 

14 15

Credit Suisse: Innovation In Art Series 

Realism in Asian Art 

Runs through 4 July 2010 

Jointly organised by The National Art Gallery, Singapore and the National Museum of 

Contemporary Art, Korea, Realism in Asian Art explores the impact of Realism in the development 

of 20thcentury Asian art. 

Unlike the way the Realist movement evolved in 19th century Europe, Realism in Asia applied the 

same concepts to a different context - expressing Asia’s grapple with modernity, independence 

and nationhood. The powerful images produced during this period often inspired and incited 

action, and were even at times, suppressed and banned. Through the display of a select group of 

paintings from eight Asian countries, Realism in Asian Art examines how this important art 

movement touched Asia, weaving together a fascinating tale of heroism, valour and hope, in a time 

of turmoil that plagued Asia during the 20thcentury. 

Presenting Sponsor 

Jointly Organised With 

Seeing the Kites Again 

又见风筝 : 吴冠中捐赠作品展 

Runs through 14 December 2010 

In 2008, Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong donated 113 of his most important works to the National 

Heritage Board, Singapore. This is the highest-value donation ever given to a public museum 

institution in Singapore. An internationally eminent artist, Wu is best known for marrying the distinct 

art form of traditional Chinese ink with modern concepts in Western art. Wu’s writings, recently 

published as a seven-volume anthology, provide deep insights into his aesthetics and art practice. 

Showcasing 22 paintings from the donation, Seeing the Kites Again is an exhibition inspired by 

Wu’s metaphor of the kite. Since the 1960s, Wu Guanzhong has produced a great number of 

works, based on his personal recollections. These works are centred around his home in the 

South of China, his childhood, as well as the villages and towns he has been to. His interest in life 

and his attention to ordinary scenes infuse his art with an aesthetic quality that demonstrates a 

return to simplicity. 

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei 

Runs through 12 September 2010 

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei is about the life and works of an important artist, Yeh Chi Wei. Yeh drew 

inspiration from a wide range of cultural sources, such as ancient Chinese rubbings, carvings and 

Javanese batik. He created highly distinctive oil paintings, works that bear witness to a powerful 

interweaving of his responses to Asian and Western art histories, cultural sources and travels 

around Southeast Asia. 

Inspired by the tonal variations of the ink medium, Yeh worked within a limited colour palette for 

subtle effects. His signature robust outlines delineate form while being suggestive of abstract 

calligraphic strokes. 

Yeh was a Singaporean artist, a well-respected art educator and leader in Singapore’s 20th 

century art scene. He led the Ten Men Group on painting exhibitions to Southeast Asian countries 

and was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to many other artists. Many consider 

him to be a true Nanyang artist. This exhibition showcases Yeh’s artistic achievements, 

contributions to Singapore, and celebration of Southeast Asia through art. 

Earth and Water: 

Mapping Art in Southeast Asia 

Runs through 1 January 2011 

Southeast Asia comprises two broad geographical regions – the Mainland and the Archipelago. 

The former refers to Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia. The 

latter is made up of the island arcs and archipelagos of the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, 

Singapore and West Malaysia. 

The diverse region of Southeast Asia is home to about 500 million people. The history and society 

of Southeast Asia have been shaped by a confluence of geographical, historical and cultural 

forces. With exhibits drawn from the National Heritage Board’s permanent collection, the theme 

Earth and Water conjoins two of life’s basic elements with the Mainland and the Archipelago. 

These works by the region’s best-known artists further offer multiple manifestations of life, society 

and traditions of Southeast Asia. 

These shows are special research exhibitions organised by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, 

held on the premises of SAM. 

These shows are special research exhibitions organised by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, 

held on the premises of SAM. 

16 17

Building the National Contemporary 

Art Collection 

Since its inception in 1996, SAM has sought to collect and present art from Singapore as well as 

Southeast Asia. In 2009, SAM shifted the focus of its activities towards contemporary art, as the 

upcoming The National Art Gallery, Singapore, will be responsible for showing modern and 

historical art. 

Like the region itself, the contemporary art of Southeast Asia is diverse, dynamic and 

multifaceted. Moreover, contemporary Southeast Asian art possesses its own distinctive 

aesthetics and artistic traditions, as well as unique approaches to art-making and art practices. 

With this in mind, SAM has embarked on an initiative to build a stellar collection of contemporary 

Southeast Asian art. Consequently, 80% of SAM’s new acquisitions will be devoted towards 

Southeast Asian art, and the remaining 20% will be geared towards the wider Asian region, like 

China, India, Korea and Japan, to provide a broader cultural context for the core collection. 

SAM is guided by a number of broad acquisitions philosophies and strategies. 

The museum concentrates on collecting iconic works of art – works that represent a defining 

moment in the artist’s practice, and/or the culmination of a major phase or period of artistic 

experimentation. In addition, some of the museum’s acquisitions are done through artist 

commissions, in order to spur artists to create major pieces of artwork. 

Besides this, SAM adopts a ‘country representation’ approach for the Southeast Asian countries. 

In this regard, artworks are assessed and chosen against the broader context of the respective 

country’s artistic development, concerns and trends. 

An artwork is thus acquired for its artistic merits and innovation, as well as what it may reveal or 

reflect about wider developments in art and society. The artists represented in the SAM collection 

fall into three broad groups: the ‘pioneering’ contemporary artists or ones associated with 

avant-garde practices, mid-career artists, and emerging practitioners. The works by the latter 

group are usually experimental and may draw on new media and technologies. 

Through its acquisition policy and continued funding support from the government, individuals 

and corporate donors, SAM hopes to showcase the best in contemporary art from the region, as 

well as encourage artists to create important new pieces of artwork. 

18 19

Recent Acquisitions: 

Status 

by Jane Lee 

Jane Lee’s imposing installation Status is a compelling and contemporary take on the age-old 

medium of painting. Monumental in scale, the spectacle of Status defies simplistic categorisation 

of media, as it crosses boundaries of painting, sculpture and installation. No longer just a 

representational medium in Lee’s work, the skeins of red paint in Status have literally escaped 

from the conventional canvas to become their own frame. 

In this work, paint is a physical entity in its own right, demanding the viewer to approach it from 

different angles and perspectives. Status is at once sensuous in all its rich colour, viscosity and 

textural variations as it is imposingly commanding in its scale. 

Resembling a doorway or a hallowed portal, Status heralds new ways of thinking about and 

practising painting in this era of art. 

About the artist 

Singaporean artist Jane Lee has a background in both Fine Arts and Fashion. The recipient of the 

inaugural Singapore Art Exhibition Prize in 2007, Lee has participated in several notable 

exhibitions in the region and in Europe, including the 2008 Singapore Biennale where she 

presented the memorable Raw Canvas. In 2009, the artist had her first major solo exhibition at 

Osage Gallery (Singapore), which showcased her continued experimentation with painting as a 

medium as well as a subject. 

The acquisition of this artwork was funded by BinjaiTree Foundation in honour of Chia Yew Kay. 

Jane Lee, Status, 2009, mixed media installation, 480 x 420 x 20 cm, Singapore Art Museum collection 

20 21


The Farmers & The Helicopters 

by Dinh Q. Lê 

In the installation piece The Farmers and The Helicopters, Dinh Q. Lê examines the memory 

invoked by helicopters in Vietnam. For Lê, helicopters suffused his life in ways beyond mere 

metaphor, and he explores the spectrum of memories invoked by these machines. On one 

screen, Vietnamese tell of their personal recollections of the vehicles, recalling the terror that they 

brought; while on another screen Western ‘histories’ and memories of the Vietnam War unfold 

through clips taken from blockbuster films, such as Apocalypse Now. 

In addition, the helicopter in this installation serves as a symbol of the end of the helicopter as a 

war machine and its transition into a vehicle of peace in Vietnam. 


Dinh Q. Lê lives in Vietnam and holds a Masters of Fine Arts in photography from the School of 

Visual Arts (New York). He has exhibited extensively internationally and is included in numerous 

permanent collections including The Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the Queensland 

Gallery of Modern Art. 

Dinh Q Lê, in collaboration with Tuan Andrew Nguyen and Thuc Phu Nam, The Farmers and The Helicopters, 2006, 

3-channel video installation, 15 minutes, Singapore Art Museum collection 

22 23


Dear Cai Xiong 

(A Letter From Ho Ho Ying, 1972) 

by Cheo Chai Hiang 

A 2005 work with a history that dates back more than 32 years, Dear Cai Xiong (A Letter From Ho 

Ho Ying, 1972) is an important work of art which references events and currents of thought in the 

artistic circles of the 1970s. 

In 1972, Cheo, then 26, submitted a proposal to the annual Modern Art Society exhibition. The 

proposed work, entitled Singapore River came in the form of written instructions to the exhibitions 

organisers, to draw a square measuring five feet, part on the floor, and part on its adjacent wall. 

The conceptual piece was rejected by the society, and its founder Ho Ho Ying responded to Cheo 

in a letter that discoursed on the criteria of art in relation to its audiences. Art, Ho opined, besides 

being new, also has to resonate with its viewers and possess unique qualities. 

In Dear Cai Xiong (A Letter From Ho Ho Ying, 1972), the letter, originally written by Mr Ho Ho Ying 

in Mandarin, is being reproduced by Cheo in this installation. 

The very question of art’s purpose and the pervading inclinations of Singapore art in the 1970s 

can be gleaned in this exchange. Cheo’s critique of the prevailing forms of representation in 

Singapore art is evidenced through his proposed conceptual presentation of the Singapore River, 

illustrating his own position on how modern art should progress. 

Cheo Chai Hiang, Dear Cai Xiong (A Letter From Ho Ho Ying, 1972) (detail), 2005, pencil on unprimed canvas, 

379 x 257 cm per piece, Singapore Art Museum collection 


An artist who practiced conceptual art during the 1970s in Singapore, Cheo Chai Hiang’s practice 

encompasses the various mediums of drawing, installation, painting, printmaking and sculpture. 

Cheo, who has also taught and lectured, first obtained his art education in England at the 

Brighton Polytechnic and the Royal College of Art in London in the 1970s. He has exhibited widely 

both locally and internationally, and most recently in the 2008 Singapore Biennale and the 2010 

Asia Pacific Triennial in Queensland, Australia. 

24 25


I Want To Live Another Thousand Years 

by Agus Suwage 

A stunning series of 27 celebrity portraits, executed in watercolour and tobacco stains, I Want To 

Live Another Thousand Years has its origins in a painting of revolutionary Indonesian poet Chairil 

Anwar by Suwage in 2005. After producing the painting, Suwage was intrigued by the work and 

its attendant themes of celebrity, creativity, mortality – and conversely, the immortality bestowed 

upon one by art. 

Suwage subsequently developed a series of 27 portraits of deceased personalities, 27 being the 

age at which Anwar died. Each portrait has Anwar’s hand holding its cigarette superimposed in 

front, a leitmotif that gives rise to humour (as in the case of the Mona Lisa), as well as surprise and 

double-takes (for instance, when the celebrity portrayed is not known for being a smoker). 

The portraits were all based on images of the celebrities widely circulated through the mass 

media, and Suwage’s interventions question the veracity of these media-disseminated images, 

while commenting on the contemporary cult of the celebrity. 

Agus Suwage, Aku Ingin Hidup Seribu Tahun Lagi, 2005, modified pedicab, cigarette butts and watercolour and tobacco 

stain on paper, 27 pieces, 75 x 55 cm each, Singapore Art Museum collection. Photo credit: Agus Suwage / Studio Biru, 2005 


Agus Suwage majored in graphic arts at Institut Teknologi Bandung, and now lives and works in 

Yogyakarta. His work has been featured in several exhibitions both at home and abroad, including 

the 1996 Asia Pacific Triennale, the 2000 Gwangju Biennale and the 2006 Singapore Biennale. 

Suwage‘s work is a response to the perversions of our times, everyday living and the complexities 

of our histories. 

26 27

Night Festival: New World 2010 at SAM 

Istana Art Event 2010 

Dream of the past, be in the present and fantasise the future at Night Festival: New World 2010! 

Inspired by the amusement park of the past, explore and have fun as the pulsating arts and heritage 

district is reinvented as a magical playground. For two nights, featuring Singapore and Southeast 

Asian artists, SAM is transformed into a whimsical and irreverent entertainment arena, adding to the 

dazzling spectacle of magical lights and carnivalesque play. 

Highlights 

Enter the Abusement Park at SAM. Vertical Submarine and The Black Baroque Interventionists lay 

siege and occupy parts of the museum building, including the basement of SAM turned into an 

underground dungeon. Come enjoy some abuse with instruments of pain as entertainment and 

tortured souls as amusement. 

The World's Slowest SMS Billboard, a tongue-in-cheek, interactive artwork by Thai artist, Wit 

Pimkanchanapong where anyone can send a personal message from their mobile phone to be 

displayed on this gigantic Billboard for all to read. 

The Istana Art Event is an annual arts and heritage festival brought to you by SAM, and in 

conjunction with the Istana National Day Open House. It is a community outreach programme that 

encourages families with children to celebrate art and heritage in the lush grounds of the Istana. 

Highlights include the much-anticipated On-the-Spot Art Competition and the Arts & Heritage 

Village where families can enjoy an array of art activities. Not to be missed is an art installation 

designed by the students of the NUS School of Design and Environment featuring a special 

representation of artworks created by over 2000 students for Self-Portrait, Our Landscape, or 

SPOL, a project of the Singapore Biennale 2011. 

Sun, 8 Aug | 8am – 5pm | Istana (Entry via main gate at Orchard Road, Singapore 238823). 

Free admission ($1 for non-Singaporeans and PRs). 

For more information on the On-the-Spot Art Competition, please email 

nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg. 

Ruangrupa, an artists' initiative established in 2000 by a group of artists in Jakarta, turns the Chapel 

in SAM into a music hall featuring influential ‘live’ bands and karaoke music from Indonesia. 

Ruangrupa will also present a video installation and interactive work from the OK.Video Biennial 

International Festival from 2003 to 2009. 

Activities continue over at SAM at 8Q with Art Garden: Children’s Season at Singapore Art Museum, 

and the Fleatique flea market featuring locally designed and crafted items and accessories, 

pre-loved clothes, accessories, books, cameras, vintage collectibles and more. Night Festival: New 

World 2010 is held across various museums and arts venues in the precinct. Presented by the 

National Museum Singapore, conceived and curated by Ong Keng Sen and produced by 

TheatreWorks, with SAM as a programme partner. 

Open House at SAM 

National Day | Mon, 9 Aug 

Hari Raya | Fri, 10 Sep 

Join us and celebrate special occasions and the public holidays with free entry to all SAM galleries 

and a series of fun, hands-on activities for everyone in the family. SAM and SAM at 8Q will be 

opened from 10am. Activities start from 1pm until 5pm. Admission is free. 

Fri, 16 Jul – Sat, 17 Jul | 7:30pm – 2am | SAM and SAM at 8Q 

Free admission (including galleries) 

28 29

Digital Nights Singapore at SAM 

Photography Fair 

Miguel Chevalier, Fractal Flowers, 2009 

SAM is the presenting partner for the first edition of Digital Nights Singapore, a grand showcase of 

visual and digital arts that will be held during the F1 Grand Prix Season in September. Setting the 

stage for this lighting extravaganza in SAM are three European artists and collectives, Miguel 

Chevalier, LAb[au] and Visual System, who will present interactive kinetic and transformations, as 

well as works that read and respond to the pulse of the city. Artworks by Singapore artists such as 

Vincent Leow will also be featured at SAM, in line with the new breath of life given to this historic 

building as a museum dedicated to contemporary art. 

Digital Nights Singapore is an unprecedented indoor and outdoor new media and art attraction, 

combining interactive video installations and kinetic and light sculptures with complementary 

activites and programmes that will excite one and all. 

Fri, 17 – Sun, 26 Sep | Sun – Thu, 10am – 7pm | Fri & Sat, 10am – 1am | SAM 


Held in conjunction with Nuit Blanche Paris, in partnership with ZoMedia Pte Ltd and supported 

by Tote Board and Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. 

Learn basic and advanced digital photography skills at SAM in July. This photography fair will help 

you make the most out of your camera in a fun way! The Photography Fair is a collaboration with 

ClubSNAP, SilkAir and Popular and supported by SAM. 


ClubSNAP’s professional photographers will roll out a series of talks and workshops aimed at 

amateur and professional shutterbugs. In addition, come visit the BBB Virus – a flea market for 

used cameras and photographic accessories! 

Sat, 24 Jul | 10am – 8pm | SAM 

Sun, 25 Jul | 10am – 5:30pm | SAM 


Child-Parent Photo Experience by Popular 

Photography is a powerful form of communication that can be shared between parent and child. 

Through the course, participants will understand the characteristics of a good photograph and 

the basics of digital photography. Course participants are required to bring their own cameras. 

Sat & Sun, 24 & 25 Jul | 9am – 4pm | SAM at 8Q 

For one parent and one child aged between 9 to 11 years 

Fees: $98 (refreshments included). Registration required. 

Please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg or call 6332 3220. 

SilkAir Destination Photography Showcase 

SilkAir’s photography showcase takes a look at the award-winning photographs submitted by 

amateur and professional photographers for the company’s inaugural online photo contest in 

2009. 

Sat, 24 Jul – Sat, 31 Jul | 10am – 7pm | Chapel, Level 2, SAM 


30 31

Singapore HeritageFest 2010 at SAM 

Fridays at SAM 

“What Brings Us Together?” 

Let Singapore HeritageFest 2010 excite and tease you into exploring what brings us together as 

Singaporeans and as global citizens from 11-22 August. Organised by the National Heritage 

Board, the festival promises to be a spectacular event with a 3-day finale in the Arts and Heritage 

District, the festival hub at Suntec City’s Tropics Atrium and five other satellite hubs in the 

heartlands. Watch out for us at SAM from 20-22 August with exciting interactive children’s 

workshops that will get you and your children’s hearts thumping to the beat! Or be enthralled by 

the legend of the swordfish in our children’s drama at SAM’s Glass Hall. How about taking a break 

and shop at the unique ethnic craft booths located at SAM’s porch - who knows what interesting 

trinkets you’ll pick up? 

Discover what truly connects us at Singapore HeritageFest 2010! 

Fri, 20 Aug – Sat, 21 Aug | 12pm – 10pm | SAM 

Sun, 22 Aug | 12pm – 8pm | SAM 

Free admission. Visit www.heritagefest.sg for more information. 

Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 

Originals Only Open Mike (OOOM@SAM) 

Catch Singapore’s very own budding singer-songwriters in action as they showcase their original 

compositions on the Originals Only Open Mike, a joint collaboration by SAM, Singapore Art Cafe 

and Power 98. The most promising performer gets the chance to be featured on Power 98’s 

Ready Steady Rock’s Local Licks on Saturdays, 8pm – 9pm. 

Fri, 30 Jul; 27 Aug; 24 Sep | 7pm – 9pm | Glass Hall, Level 1, SAM | Free admission. 

To register as a performer, please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg. Slots are limited to 20 

performers per session. 


Open to all photography enthusiasts, the Photography Talk Sessions is a platform where 

participants can discuss and share reviews, tips and just about anything on the use of digital 

cameras and camera accessories. The three sessions this quarter will cover hands-on testing of 

a photography product, RangeFinder user group discussion and The Hasselblad Chapter talk. 

Fri, 2 Jul; 6 Aug; 3 Sep | 7pm – 9pm | SAM | Free admission. 

For 3 Sep, the venue will be at SAM at 8Q. 

The Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition is an annual event organised by the Yellow Ribbon 

Project for inmates and ex-offenders to showcase their original artworks to the community. This 

year’s exhibition theme “RestArt” translates into values of REsilience, Self-Awareness, 

Transformation, Adaptability and Reintegration in The Community. The winning entries from the 

Yellow Ribbon Art Competition and finest seletions of Prison Art will be featured. 

1 – 14 Sep | Mon – Sun, 10am – 7pm; until 9pm on Fri | Chapel, Level 2, SAM | Free admission. 

For more information, please visit www.yellowribbon.org.sg. 

32 33

Learning Gallery 

The Learning Gallery is dedicated to presenting artworks from SAM’s collection for the young 

visitor. Besides nurturing an appreciation for art, the works are specially selected to encourage 

lively discussions and develop creative and analytical thinking among our young visitors. 

The current show, Everyday Objects, invites you to take a second look at the familiar things around 

you through the eyes of artists from Singapore and Southeast Asia, where everyday things we 

know and sometimes take for granted are portrayed in a different light, making us think twice 

about their function and their relation to other objects. 

Education programmes inspired by the artworks on display have also been specially developed for 

schools to offer students a multi-disciplinary and holistic contemporary art experience at the 

Learning Gallery. These programmes range from learning specific art techniques, to speech and 

drama puppet shows that encourages originality and the development of language skills and 

self-confidence. 

Learning Gallery Education Programmes are for school bookings only. 

Interested schools, please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg or call 6332 3220. 

Learning Gallery Education Programmes 

Dramatic Encounters: 

The Learning Gallery 

This workshop uses drama techniques to 

engage participants with the artworks through 

active discussion, reflection and expression of 

their personal opinions about the artworks. 

Focusing on processes like creating characters 

and identifying themes and issues based 

artworks to create story plots, students get to 

develop creative writing and critical thinking skills. 

Available for the month of July only. 

Every Tue, Thu, Fri, 3pm – 5:15pm | 

Every Thu, Fri, 10am – 12:15pm | SAM 

For 13 to 14 years old / lower secondary 

Free. Limited to 40 students per session, on a 

first-come-first-serve basis. 

This workshop is a collaboration between SAM 

and the Singapore Polytechnic Applied Drama 

and Psychology programme. 

Art Trail 

Designed for pre-schoolers, this workshop 

engages students in active art discussions 

through creative story telling. Participants will 

learn more about artists and their artworks and 

create their own craft works inspired by the 

artworks in the gallery. 

Every Thu & Fri, 10am – 11:30am or 

2:30pm – 4pm | SAM 


$18 per child, per lesson 

Art Talk 

This workshop aims to stimulate the students’ 

creativity through interactive puppet shows and 

speech and drama activities. Using the 

artworks as inspiration, students will be guided 

to develop their own narratives and perform 

their own puppet shows. 

Every Thu & Fri, 10am – 11:30am or 

2.30pm – 4pm | SAM 



Everyday Life 

With discussion and quick sketching, 

students will turn everyday tasks and objects 

into interesting artworks by working with 

shapes and forms, and learning oil pastel 

and watercolour techniques like blending 

and bricking. 

Every Mon & Tue, 10am – 12:30pm or 

2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 



Everyday Food 

What goes on inside the core of a papaya? 

Drawing inspiration from artworks that 

showcase food as the main subject matter, 

this workshop encourages students to 

explore the forms and shapes of food, and 

also to learn about the role of textures in their 

own art making. 


2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 



Everyday Objects 

Through active art discussions, students will 

share their initial thoughts and ideas of 

selected artworks and learn to generate ideas 

about objectifying personality traits through 

the use of quick rough sketching. Students 

will then create drawings based on concepts 

of cubism and abstract art using acrylic 

painting techniques. 


2pm – 4:30pm | SAM 



34 35

Deutsche Bank Art Bus Programme 

Workshops 

Singapore Art Museum presents the Deutsche Bank Art Bus programme, a platform to introduce 

art to preschoolers and school children. With the content tailor-made to suit a young audience, 

each session lasts for one and a half hours and alternates between a guided tour and a 

story-telling session held in the galleries, followed by a hands-on art activity. Complimentary bus 

transportation will be provided for school children to and from the museum. 

Art for Toddlers 

Toddlers will be exposed to different art 

materials and encouraged to learn about art 

elements such as colours, patterns, lines, 

dots, shapes and form. 

Mums and Tots 

This programme provides a platform for 

parent and child to bond through art as they 

explore different materials and learn about 

basic art elements. 

Every Thu | 10:30am - 12pm | SAM 

For 3 years old and above 

18 - 30 children per session 

*Alternative day and time can be requested, subject to availability. 

Every Fri, 2pm, 4pm | Every Sat, 10am, 11am, 

12pm, 1pm | SAM at 8Q 


$40 per lesson | $330 for 10 lessons 

Every Mon & Fri | 10am, 11:30am, 2pm, 4pm 

| SAM at 8Q 

For parents and toddlers below 3 years old 


$10 per child for school bookings only. Free for charity / non-profit organisations. 

Registration required. Please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg or call 6332 3220 for 

more enquiries. 

Sponsor 

Art for Children 

Children will create works of art with acrylic 

and oil on canvas. The artworks selected will 

serve to highlight the different art elements 

within a painting. Children will also learn 

various techniques on how different art 

elements within a painting can be applied to 

their own artwork. 

Every Sat | 11am & 4pm | SAM at 8Q 



Fine Arts for Adults 

Created especially for individuals aged 12 and 

above, this workshop focuses on basic 

drawing techniques such as sketching, 

watercolours, acrylic painting, still life and 

landscape drawing. Adult students will 

nurture their artistic skills on canvases. 

Every Mon, 2pm | Every Fri, 10am | 

Every Sat, 11am & 4pm | SAM at 8Q 


Registration required. 

Please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg. 

36 37

Support SAM 

Singapore Art Museum Corporate Membership 

Friends of the Biennale 

A Singapore Art Museum Corporate Membership goes a long way to help us deliver quality 

exhibitions and educational programmes to people in Singapore. Membership also promises 

exclusive art experiences and branding opportunities for your company, staff and the people you 

wish to reach out to. With a donation of at least S$50,000, be rewarded with: 

- One complimentary use of the Museum Glass Hall and Courtyard facilities for your event, 

complemented by a customisable after-hours museum tour or art programme. 

- Acknowledgements in the Museum Lobby Roll of Honour 2010 Listing. 

- Personal invitations to 2010 Exhibition Opening Receptions for up to 10 pre-identified executives 

or guests. 

- Up to 200 complimentary museum passes OR complimentary admission for your staff and their 

accompanying guests. 

- Up to 50 complimentary exhibition catalogues. 

- Corporate tax deductions up to 2.5 times the cash amount donated. 

To contribute 

Please make your donation cheque (minimum S$50,000) payable to “Singapore Art Museum” and 

mail it with your business card to “The Development Manager, Singapore Art Museum 

Administrative Office, 61 Stamford Road, #02-02 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892”. 

Play a part in commissioning cutting-edge works for the Singapore Biennale 2011. We are 

seeking everyone's support to aid the commissioning of both Singaporean and international 

artists to produce new and exciting site-specific works. 

Every generous donation you make contributes to the Biennale. 

That's not all! 

Become a Friend of the Biennale with a minimum donation of S$500 and enjoy an exclusive 

up-close and personal session with a participating Biennale artist. Other privileges and 

entitlements include tax exemption up to 2.5 times your donation amount, admission passes for 

your next museum visit, complimentary publications and listing acknowledgement of your support 

to the Biennale. 

Become a Friend today! 

We welcome any donation amount in support of the Singapore Biennale 2011, with a minimum 

S$500 donation amount to enjoy one Friends of the Biennale session and other stated 

entitlements. Please make cheque payable to “Singapore Art Museum”, indicating “For Singapore 

Biennale 2011 costs” at the back of the cheque. 

All donation cheques should be mailed to “Singapore Biennale 2011 c/o Singapore Art Museum, 

61 Stamford Road, #02-02 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892”. 

Call our Development Manager today at 6332 6854 or email info@singaporebiennale.org for 

further enquiries on the Friends of the Biennale programme! 

For enquiries, please contact our Development Manager at 6332 4202 or email 

Singapore Biennale 2011 is organised by the Singapore Art Museum with the support of the 

38 

nhb_sam_mcc@nhb.gov.sg. 

National Arts Council. 

39

Dining 

Shopping 

DÔME introduces a rustic coffee haven for executives on the go. Relax in style with al fresco dining 

or choose a speedy take away. Dôme offers a comprehensive range of freshly baked breads, 

pastries, cakes and pizzas which complement our range of gourmet coffees. Signature items 

include Focaccia Gourmet Sandwiches, Dôme Gourmet Pie, Caesar Salad and Chocolates 

Brownies. 10% off regular menu price* | Sun - Thu & PH, 8:30am - 10:30am | Fri, Sat & Eve 

of PH, 8:30am - 11pm | www.olio.sg | 6339 0792 Food for Thought is all about serving up 

Good food for a Good cause. Nosh on comfort food such as root beer, braised pork, homestyle 

marmalade cake and fresh baked goods. Or do some ethical shopping in the merchandise section 

for homemade jams, funky tee-shirts, reloved books and other beautiful things from all over. Daily, 

9am - 10pm | www.foodforthought.com.sg | 6338 9887 Standing Sushi Bar 

Beautifully-sliced, perfectly-formed, deliciously-made…every sushi at Standing Sushi Bar is a piece 

of art. Indulge in sake, enjoy a few sticks of robatayaki, and enjoy our sushi selections. Fresh fish, 

every day. Daily, 11am - 10:30am | www.standingsushibar.com Trattoria Lafiandra Owned by 

Chef Cataldo and Brenda Lafiandra, the 42-seater Trattoria Lafiandra al Museo has an extensive 

selection of antipasti, homemade pasta, risotto and main courses, offering a wide and exciting 

selection of Italian fare. 5% off all drinks* | Daily | Lunch, 11:30am - 3pm | Dinner, 6pm - 11pm 

| www.lafiandra.com.sg | 6884 4035 Via Mar @ SAM offers signature paella dishes and 

delectable tapas, a wonderful variety of succulent appetizers, delightful mains, tempting desserts 

and a fine range of wines. With its elegant indoor seating and alfresco dining area, Via Mar @ SAM 

is the perfect place for business meetings, dinner dates or simply catching up. 10% off regular 

menu price* | Mon - Thu & Sun, 11:30am - 10:30pm | Fri & Sat, 11:30am - 11pm | 6423 0900 

Art-To-Go Now, you can bring home a piece of work from the national art collection! Pick your 

favourite image from Singapore’s permanent collection and have it reproduced digitally on an 

A1-size canvas in under one hour! Prices start from S$150 for an unstretched print. For more 

information, please approach our friendly museum services staff at the reception desk or 

contact Silvia Chan at silvia_chan@nhb.gov.sg Children’s Season Merchandise Kids are in 

for a treat with fun merchandise from Walter, the curious colossal rabbit specially designed by 

Dawn Ng. Take your pick from a great selection of tote bags, postcards, t-shirts – there's even an 

inflatable Walter! Also available are a series of five postcards and T-shirts created by artist Sandra 

Lee, depicting scenes from The Enchanted Forest. Prices range from $2 for a postcard to $39 for 

a Walter inflatable. Available at SAM at 8Q and Museum Shop. Museum Shop Inspired by the 

museums’ intriguing collections, Museum Shop by Banyan Tree continuously develops quality 

museum replicas, objects d’art, ethnic handicrafts, apparel and accessories. Currently located at 

Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Art Museum, each 

outlet carries a range of products unique to the thematic focus of the museum it is located in. 10% 

off regular price-item (Not applicable for books, promotional and nett price items)* | Mon 

- Thu, Sat & Sun, 10am - 7pm | Fri, 10am - 9pm | www.museumshop.com.sg | 6338 1016 

Showcase Number Eight //////// A concept that brings artistic creations and art ownership 

together to form a new and untapped synergy. Marrying the creative passion of art with the desire 

of art lovers to fashion the space around them, //////// aspires to make Singapore Art and Design 

more accessible and to bring it into a greater variety of spaces. A retail gallery, //////// aims to 

showcase Singapore’s creative talents and their exciting and inspiring works. 10% discount 

storewide and receive a limited edition paper weight with a minimum spending of S$188 

(Limited to one paper weight per customer, terms and conditions apply)* | Daily, 10am - 

7pm | www.showcasenumbereight.com | 6333 4563 

* Present the SAM Admission Ticket to enjoy these promotions. 

* Present the SAM Admission Ticket to enjoy these promotions. 

Rental 

The Singapore Art Museum boasts classic interiors, elegant colonial structure and three venues for 

weddings, corporate functions and private events. The Glass Hall, Queen Courtyard and Chapel all 

provide unique settings for any event or significant occasion. 

Rental rates apply. For more information, please email angeline_tan@nhb.gov.sg or call 

6332 9808. 

40 41

SAM Moments 

Patron of Heritage Awards 2009 

Ming Wong: Life of Imitation 

SAM would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our valued patrons for their 

continuous support and generous contributions to the museum. The following were 

recognised at the Patron of Heritage Award 2009 on 23 April 2010, for their contributions to 

SAM in the year 2009: 

Asia Art Center 

Aw Tee Hong (Mr.) 

Binjai Tree Foundation 

Cebu Air Inc. 

Chen Cheng Mei (Ms.) 

Cheng Yajie (Mr.) 

Credit Suisse AG 

Deutsche Bank AG 

Embassy of Mexico 

Ong Kim Seng (Mr.) 

Pacific Art Fund 

Embassy of the Philippines 

Sing Lun Investments Pte. Ltd. 

SMRT Investments Pte. Ltd. 

Standard Chartered Bank 

Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center 

Yeh Yue Hann Jacey (Ms.) 

From left: Mr. Michael Koh, Chief Executive Officer, National Heritage Board; Ms. Kluane Saunders, Actress, In Love For 

The Mood; Mr. Tang Fu Kuen, Guest Curator; Mr. Ming Wong, Artist; Mr. Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, 

Communications and the Arts; Ms. Jane Ittogi, Chair, SAM; Mr. Tan Boon Hui, Director, SAM and Ms. Patricia Levasseur, 

Assistant Curator, SAM. 

In April, SAM presented the homecoming exhibition, Ming Wong: Life of Imitation. The exhibition 

rd 

premiered at the Singapore Pavilion at the 53 Venice Biennale in 2009 and won Special Mention 

by the jury. Ming Wong: Life of Imitation was re-staged at SAM with a new design and additional 

exhibits. It is slated to travel to the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, United States and Cast Gallery in 

Tasmania, Australia from January 2011. 

Guests looking into the Peephole Gallery. 

From left: Ms. Elizabeth Khoo, Ms. Jane Ittogi, Mr. Venka 

Purushothaman and Mr. Tan Boon Hui. 

42 43

SAM Moments 

Art Garden: Children’s Season / International Museum Day 

Strengthening Singapore and France Cultural Alliances through Contemporary Art 

Children and families learned more about the world around them through Art Garden, a 

contemporary art show specially designed for the young and the young at heart. The exhibition was 

part of International Museum Day and included learning activities, weekly workshops, film screenings 

and an activity booklet specially designed for children. 

From left: Mr. Michael Koh, Chief Executive Officer, National Heritage Board; H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to 

Singapore; Mr. Alain Seban, President, Centre Pompidou; Mr. Tan Boon Hui, Director, SAM; Ms. Jane Ittogi, Chair, SAM 

and Mr. Sim Gim Guan, Deputy Secretary, Information and Corporate Management, Ministry of Information, 

Communications and Arts. 

On 20 May 2010, SAM and the Centre Pompidou signed a Memorandum of Understanding 

(MOU) to enhance the development and showcase of contemporary art. The MOU was signed by 

Mr. Tan Boon Hui, Director of SAM and Mr. Alain Seban, President of the Centre Pompidou, with 

Ms. Jane Ittogi, Chair of SAM and H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of the Republic of France to 

Singapore, as witnesses to the signing. SAM and Centre Pompidou will co-organise and 

co-curate the exhibition entitled Video. An Art, a History 1965-2010. A Selection from the Centre 

Pompidou and Singapore Art Museum Collections. The exhibition will run from 27 May to 18 

September 2011. 

44 45

SAM Moments 

Singapore Biennale 2011 Curatorial Team Announces the First 10 Artists! 

From left: Mr. Trevor Smith and Mr. Russell Storer, Curators, Singapore Biennale 2011; Mr. Matthew Ngui, Artistic Director, 

Singapore Biennale 2011 and Mr. Tan Boon Hui, Director, SAM. 

On 8 April 2010, Artistic Director, Matthew Ngui and his two curators, Trevor Smith and Russell 

Storer unveiled the first 10 artists who will participate in the Singapore Biennale 2011. Among the 

list are Elmgreen and Dragset (born in Denmark and Norway respectively; live and work in London 

and Berlin), Ceal Floyer (born in Pakistan, lives and works in Berlin), Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (born 

in Mexico, lives and works in Montreal), Tatzu Nishi (born in Japan, lives and works in Berlin), Arin 

Rungjang (born in Thailand, lives and works in Bangkok), Charles Sandison (born in Scotland, lives 

and works in Tampere), Shooshie Sulaiman (born in Malaysia, lives and works in Kuala Lumpur), 

Tan Pin Pin (born in Singapore, lives and works in Singapore), Ming Wong (born in Singapore, lives 

and works in Berlin) and Goto Design (based in New York). All ten will be developing new works for 

the Biennale. 

General Information 

OPENING HOURS 

Mondays to Sundays, 10am to 7pm 

Fridays, 10am to 9pm 

ADMISSION 

Adult $10 

Student $5 

Senior citizen aged 60 and above $5 

20% off admission tickets for 20 or 

more persons. 

Admission is free for visitors aged 6 years 

and below, Singaporean and PR senior 

citizens, and students and teachers from 

local schools.* 

Free admission to SAM every Friday from 

6pm to 9pm and on Open House days. 

Last admission to the museum is at 6:15pm. 

*Unless otherwise indicated. 

MUSEUM TOURS AT SAM 

Tours in English 

Mondays | 2pm 

Tuesdays to Thursdays | 11am & 2pm 

Fridays | 11am, 2pm & 7pm 

Saturdays and Sundays | 11am, 2pm & 

3:30pm 

Tours in Japanese 

Tuesdays to Fridays | 10:30am 

Tours in Mandarin 

Fridays | 7:45pm 

ADDRESSES 

Singapore Art Museum is located at 

71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555. 

SAM at 8Q is located at 

8 Queen Street, Singapore 188535. 

WEBSITE 

www.singaporeartmuseum.sg 

GENERAL ENQUIRIES 

6332 3222 

HOW TO GET TO SAM 

By bus 

SBS 7, 14, 16, 36, 111, 131, 162, 175, 502, 

518 

SMRT 77, 167, 171, 700 

By MRT 

2-minute walk from Bras Basah MRT station 

10-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut, Bugis or 

City Hall MRT stations. 

By car 

Carparks available at Waterloo Street, Queen 

Street, NTUC Income Centre and Plaza by the 

Park. 

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS/LOCKERS 

Lifts provide easy access to galleries. 

Lockers are available for visitors’ use. 

Bayview 

Inn 

Waterloo Street 

P 

P 

Queens Street 

SAM at 8Q 

Bugis 

MRT station 

Dhoby Ghaut 

MRT station 

Bencoolen Street 

P 

Plaza by 

The Park 

Singapore 

Art Museum 

P 

Kum Yam 

Church 

Bras Basah 

MRT station 

NTUC 

Income Centre 

Victoria Street 

City Hall 

MRT station 

Bras Basah Road (towards Marina Centre) 

46 Singapore Management University 

47

Online Brochure - Singapore Art Museum

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