Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America at National Gallery Singapore

 

Paul Gauguin. Pobre Pescador (Poor Fisherman). 1896. Oil on canvas. 75 x 65 cm Gift of Henrik Spitzman-Jordan, Ricardo Jafet and João di Pietro. Collection of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. Image courtesy of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand; photo by Eduardo Ortega

 
 

TROPICAL

Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America

November 18, 2023 – March 24, 2024

 

National Gallery Singapore presents Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America, the world’s first major comparative exhibition of artistic expressions from both regions, featuring over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, performances, and immersive installations by more than 70 artists. Running from November 18, 2023, to March 24, 2024, this exhibition spans the 20th century and explores the vivid stories of artists, dreamers, and writers who dared to threaten conventions and fostered solidarities in the aftermath of colonialism.

Tropical offers new perspectives on the development of modern art. At the heart of this exhibition lies the unwavering quest of artists and thinkers who sought to claim their rightful position within the story of art and beyond. As a way to showcase this spirit of empowerment and change, the exhibition moves away from conventional methods of displaying paintings on walls. Drawing on the groundbreaking designs of legendary architect Lina Bo Bardi, visitors will uncover new possibilities in their encounter with artworks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibition Preview

 

Frida Kahlo. Self-portrait with Monkey. 1945. Oil on masonite, 60 x 42.5 cm. Collection of Robert Brady Museum. © 2023 Bank of Mexico Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust. Av. May 5. No. 2, col. Center, all. Cuautémoc, cp 06000, Mexico City. Image courtesy of Humberto Tachiquin Benito "Tachi" / Tachiphoto.

Paul Gauguin. Pobre Pescador (Poor Fisherman). 1896. Oil on canvas. 75 x 65 cm Gift of Henrik Spitzman-Jordan, Ricardo Jafet and João di Pietro. Collection of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. Image courtesy of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand; photo by Eduardo Ortega

S. Sudjojono. Istriku (Ibu Menjahit) (My Wife [A Mother Sewing]). c. 1950. Oil on canvas, 71 x 55.5 cm. Collection of the National Gallery of Indonesia. © S. Sudjojono Center; courtesy of the National Gallery of Indonesia.

Patrick Ng Kah Onn. Self-Portrait. 1958. Oil on paper. 49.3 x 75.3 cm. Collection of National Gallery Singapore. This acquisition was made possible with donations to the Art Adoption & Acquisition Programme. © Family of Patrick Ng Image courtesy of National Heritage Board, Singapore

Hendra Gunawan. Tjitji. 1949. Oil on paper laid on masonite. 64 x 49 cm. Collection of National Gallery Singapore. Image courtesy of National Heritage Board, Singapore.

Victorio C. Edades, Galo B. Ocampo and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. Mother Nature’s Bounty Harvest. 1935. Oil on canvas. 257.5 x 273 cm Private collection © Armin Christopher E. Cuadra

Latiff Mohidin. Tumbuhan Tropika (Tropical Growth). 1968. Oil on canvas, 99 x 89 cm. Private collection. © the artist

David Alfaro Siqueiros. Presságio (Angélica Arenal de Siqueiros) (Omen [Angélica Arenal de Siqueiros]). 1950. Vinyl on fibreboard. 100 x 83.5 cm. Gift of Don Emílio Ascárraga. Collection of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. Image courtesy of Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand; photo by Eduardo Ortega

 
 
News 14, Exhibitions 3Editorial TeamArt of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold