The opening of National Gallery Singapore in time to celebrate the nation’s 50th birthday is perhaps the most visible example of everything Singapore is doing to push ahead with its artistic transformation. National Gallery Singapore is a modern spectacle constructed by two of the country’s most famous historical buildings — the former supreme court and the former city hall. Important historical happenings took place at these sites — namely independence from Japan. Now, the two buildings are bridged together in an architectural marvel of metal and glass, reflective of the trees dotting the cityscape. Inside is one of the biggest collections of Southeastern Asian art in the world, along with pieces and installations meant to educate and inspire citizens and visitors alike.
Even with the opening of National Gallery Singapore, the country itself has many more steps to take to become a fully successful artistic society, and has several challenges to overcome.
When Singapore first gained its independence as a nation, its founding father knew the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Emphasis was placed in these realms instead of in more creative pursuits. The efforts paid off. Singapore is now one of the richest nations in the entire world, bolstered by its business and commerce connections and the highly skilled populace. However, once Singapore was rich enough to be able to afford arts and creative pursuits, it was difficult to understand how to incorporate that into its society.
Many adults in Singapore have never experience an art museum on the scale of National Gallery Singapore. The curator of the museum described incidents that surprised many of the employees at the museum. Visitors to the museum would touch the paintings — a serious breach and one that could negatively affect the masterpieces. They began to realize that people who have never been to a museum before understandably didn’t know how to act. That shaped how events and programming were organized going forward. Many art events now include symposiums and panels, as well as workshops to educate people on how the art was made. Where it’s feasible, there are interactive art exhibits as well as collaborative pieces that call on the community to lend their help to complete. The populace is shaping art in Singapore, but art continues to shape the populace as it grows and matures. The most inspirational time for Singaporean art and culture is only growing, and in the future, the creative community has much to look forward to.
Make your mark in Singapore’s art scene by signing up for an art class. SGArtClass.com is a highly convenient website to visit, offering a number of different art classes to suit your various interests. Take a class on found art to learn how to create masterpieces out of everyday items. Flex your computer skills in a digital art class, or discover new skills with a brush in a watercolor painting class. Teachers will help you discover interests you never knew you had.
To read more about Singapore’s efforts at creative transformation, go to http://www.travelandleisure.com/culture-design/art-in-singapore.