The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is temporarily closed and will reopen in late 2027. In the meantime, works from the National Collection remain exhibited across the Gallery. 

This exhibition examines the artistic journey and enduring legacy of Fan Chang Tien (范昌乾) (1907–1987), a pivotal figure in the development of Chinese ink art in Singapore. It traces his southward movement from China to Thailand and finally to Singapore in 1956 – a journey marked by his commitment to art and education. 

Through a rich selection of paintings, poetry, and archival materials, the exhibition reveals how Fan dedicated himself to the practice of ink art while cultivating his identity as a scholar-artist, teacher, and steadfast master of the Chinese literati tradition.

  • When: 16 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
  • Suitable For: All
  • Where: City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery
  • Ticket information: General Admission ticket required, free for locals.

About the Exhibition

Featuring over 80 artworks and archival materials, this exhibition offers fresh perspectives on the artist beyond his celebrated role as the “Gardener” who nurtured generations of local ink painters. Rooted in the expressive brushwork of the Shanghai School, Fan’s artistic journey reflects the movement of people, ideas, and traditions across Asia.

Journey through five thematic sections, Moving South, Nurturing the Self, Rejoicing in the Everyday, Wandering through Nature, and Tending the Garden, to discover how Fan found inspiration in nature, expressed his values through painting and poetry, and cultivated a lasting legacy in Singapore. 

About the Artist

Who was Fan Chang Tien?

Fan Chang Tien (1907–1987) was an influential ink artist and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of ink art in Singapore. Through his teaching in schools and his private studio, he passed on the Shanghai School tradition to a younger generation of artists. His influence lives on through the artists he taught, including Nai Swee Leng, Tan Oe Pang, Chen KeZhan, and Chua Ek Kay, who each developed a distinct artistic approach while reinterpreting and modernising the ink tradition.

Exhibition Materials

Ways to Experience

Two women observe paintings in an art museum, engaged in discussion about the artwork on display.
Curator Tour (English) | Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush

Explore Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush with exhibition curators Lim Shujuan and Chee Jin Ming. The tour explores Fan Chang Tien's legacy as both artist and mentor, delving into how the ink master's practice and legacy illuminate artistic transmission, cultural mobility, and cross-cultural exchange.

20 Nov 2026, 7.30–8.30pm
City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery, Exhibition Entrance (near Lift Lobby A)
Show {{totalData}} more

Explore more

Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art
Exhibition

Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art

The newly revamped DBS Singapore Gallery exhibition presents a layered, ever-changing story of Singapore’s art history. Explore the unique pathways and detours of artists, and see their iconic artworks from the 19th century to present.

Fear No Power: Women Imagining Otherwise
Exhibition

Fear No Power: Women Imagining Otherwise

Fear No Power: Women Imagining Otherwise highlights the lives and practices of five artists from Southeast Asia for whom art, life, kinship and community are inseparable. Featuring Imelda Cajipe-Endaya (Philippines), Nirmala Dutt (Malaysia), Amanda Heng (Singapore), Dolorosa Sinaga (Indonesia), and Phaptawan Suwannakudt (Thailand), the exhibition honours their multi-faceted roles—not only as artists, but also as educators, writers or community organisers.

A decorative folding screen featuring the artwork Heartprint of the Sacred Mountain, 2022, by Lee Chun-Yi .
Talk & Seminar

2026 New Moons Ink Art Lecture | Lee Chun-Yi

This lecture invites artist Lee Chun-Yi to share his own artistic explorations and reflections in Chinese ink. Departing from Liu Kuo-sung’s pedagogy and ink experimentation, he will offer a fresh interpretation of a defining ideal in classical Chinese painting: "poetry within painting, and painting within poetry".

13
View What's On