Discover highlights from National Gallery Singapore’s major exhibition, Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America, featuring over 200 works from both regions.
Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America at National Gallery Singapore
Featuring over 200 works by more than 70 artists, Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America is one of the blockbuster exhibitions at National Gallery Singapore – the largest since the pandemic. Taking place mainly at the Level 3 Galleries at the City Hall Wing of the National Gallery, visitors are invited to rediscover the stories from both regions through immersive, engaging worlds of art.
National Gallery Singapore has made the experience quite special with the use of uncommon presentation techniques, such as the crystal easels and wooden grid structures, with the help of WOHA Architects’ design touch for the exhibition. There are also several pieces (and spaces) that you can touch exhibits and engage with the art, along with a large walkthrough installation in the City Hall Chamber which will be another highlight for everyone.
Tropicália (Hélio Oiticica) in the City Hall Chamber
I felt that the exhibition was very enjoyable – perhaps by the sense of travel simulated by the overall experience, both in space and time. The spaces are beautifully crafted with use of colour blocking to enhance the presentation. Iconic pieces can be viewed up-close, and some are placed together with works that share similarities – even when they were created far apart. You’ll feel like “walking through” forests of paintings reflecting the diverse cultural heritage from both regions. Also, exhibit cards are placed behind or around floating artworks, offering you a chance to enjoy the visuals first – and read about it later.
My recommendation: Visit on a quiet weekday and give yourself a few hours to immerse in the gallery spaces. It’s a lot to take in.
Admission Ticket required for Tropical exhibition at National Gallery Singapore
Admission fee applies for this Special Exhibition, including the Tropicália installation.
Tickets start from $15 for adults (Singapore/PR, ages 13 to 59), with a concession price of $10 for children and seniors (Singapore/PR; ages 7 to 12, ages 60 and above), as well as full-time NSFs. Students and teachers (Singapore/PR) can enjoy free admission upon verification onsite.
For the full price list, including prices for tourists foreign residents, visit the National Gallery Singapore’s website.
Hélio Oiticica’s Tropicália
Staged in Southeast Asia for the first time: Tropicália (Hélio Oiticica) – an installation of sand, gravel, wooden structures, along with plants and even macaws.
Taking shape as an oval island in the City Hall Chamber, visitors can step inside the artwork and reflect on stereotypes of “a tropical paradise”.
And yes, the macaws are real birds.
Note: Entry into Tropicália
A timed entry system may be used at Tropicália. Visitors with tickets are recommended to obtain a wristband at the National Gallery (for entry into the installation at a preferred timeslot, while available). I recommend that you do this before exploring the main galleries.
Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America – Exhibition Galleries Photo Tour
The Myth of the Lazy Native
The main exhibition begins in the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery A, opening with the first theme: The Myth of the Lazy Native. As the theme suggests, works here both depict and challenge the stereotype of “lazy natives”.
La molendera (Woman Grinding Maize) (Diego Rivera)
Pobre pescador (poor fisherman) (Paul Gaugin)
Some paintings are presented in the “floating” style with the use of crystal easels, first designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi in the 1960s. Exhibit cards are placed behind the works, creating a new viewing experience.
In the middle of this gallery is the Library of the Tropics, a space where visitors can engage in the collection of videos, books and items revolving around the islands of Tahiti and Bali.
The theme continues in the last section of the gallery, offering an open area to take in the more provocative works, along with a sculpture right in the middle.
Comme une liane (Like a Vine) (Maria Martins)
Left to right: Labour (Basoeki Abdullah), Omen (David Alfaro Siqueiros), Anguish (David Alfaro Siqueiros)
This Earth of Mankind
The second gallery, This Earth of Mankind, takes you inside the intimate world of the artists and their identity. Works here are presented in the “grid system” structure, also a tribute to Lina Bo Bardi. The structure is made of recycled timber planks from Jurong Shipyard.
Washing Cloths by the River (Patrick Ng Kah Onn)
Self Portrait with Monkey (Frida Kahlo)
Explore the “forest” of self portraits and other works as you walk around.
This section concludes with a colourful corridor draped with woven fabrics by Babara Sansoni.
The Subversive
Before heading into the last gallery, themed The Subversive, you can try on the Mascaras sensorias (sensorial masks) (Lygia Clark).
Or dance around while wearing some of these colourful capes (Hélio Oiticica).
Diverging from conventional tools and expressions, the final gallery of Tropical showcases a new world of creations, with artists driving for change in their works. In line with the unconventional presentation style in earlier galleries, some works float, hanging from stilt-like wooden structures. Feel the unseen energy as you navigate this porous environment, with the lighting drawing your focus into the art.
Ang Retablo ng Bantaoay (The Retablo of Bantaoay) (Roberto Feleo)
Sans titre (Untitled) (Wifredo Lam)
Sand Machine – Blue Bamboo Batangas (David Medalla)
Left: Portraits of my mother and my father going to Yatra (Bhupen Khakhar)
Other Installations around National Gallery Singapore
These additional works in the Singapore Courtyard area of the National Gallery do not require a fee to experience.
Visitors can interact with some of these pieces in the upper tier (Level 3) of the Singapore Courtyard, located just beside the City Hall Chamber.
Double Crab (Lygia Clark) – shown above.
Sensorial gloves (Lygia Clark)
While wearing different gloves and pick up different objects, you can rediscover your sense of touch.
The Vientos Alisios (Dolores Zinny and Juan Maidagan) can be seen hanging above the Singapore Courtyard, comprising two pieces: Hanging banners – Tigresses, and suspended canvas cylinders – Trees.
Along with these works, Cloud Canyons No. 24 (David Medalla) is also part of the Tropical exhibition.
Lastly, you can also stop by The Gallery Store and bring a piece of Tropical home from the curated collection of merchandise.
Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America at National Gallery Singapore
18 November 2023 – 24 March 2024
Main Exhibition: City Hall Wing, Level 3, National Gallery Singapore
Visit the National Gallery’s Tropical website for more details on the exhibition, programmes and promotions.
Admission fees apply for the exhibition. Book your tickets from National Gallery Singapore’s ticketing site.
No comments yet.