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 Wu Guanzhong

The Yangtze River Bridge at Nanjing 南京长江大桥

1973

Oil on board

48 x 120cm

Collection of National Heritage Board

Media Release
For immediate release

National Art Gallery, Singapore Takes Art Overseas for the First Time

Singapore, 11 Nov 2010

Master Chinese Painter Wu Guanzhong’s works exhibited at Zhejiang Art Museum

In a show of solidarity with the regional community of Asian art museums, The National Art Gallery, Singapore will be travelling key works to China under its banner for the first time. From 20 November to 25 December 2010, the artworks of recently bereaved master Chinese painter Wu Guanzhong belonging to Singapore will be exhibited at the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou. Titled East Meets West – The Exhibition of Wu Guangzhong’s Paintings, it comprises a total of 307 works of art by Wu, of which 76 will hail from Singapore’s national collection. Singapore’s contribution of works is the second largest amongst the eight participating art institutions.

A retrospective on the legendary artist, the exhibition at Zhejiang Art Museum will boast a range of oil and ink paintings, sketches, calligraphy and watercolours. It is co-organised with China’s Ministry of Culture and eight other art institutions. They include the Zhejiang Cultural Centre, Art Academy of China, National Art Museum of China, Zhejiang Art Museum, Shanghai Art Museum, Hong Kong Art Museum, National Palace Museum and Beijing Lu Xun Museum. The National Art Gallery, Singapore is the only non Chinese institution in the partnership.

Mr. Kwok Kian Chow, Director of the National Art Gallery, Singapore and member of the Exhibition Organising Committee, said, "Wu Guanzhong is one of China’s 20th century greatest artists and an inspiration to many. His generous and unparalleled donation of artworks to Singapore has allowed many Singaporeans and visitors to our island to appreciate and enjoy his artistic achievements. In honouring the spirit of Wu Guanzhong, we are happy to share his invaluable works outside of Singapore, allowing friends from China and around the world to have a chance to see his celebrated artworks. As an active member of the global community of leading art museums and galleries, we certainly look forward to holding more of these travelling exhibitions in future."

Wu had considered Hangzhou his artistic hometown and a source of inspiration, often referring to it as a ‘spiritual homeland’. It was at the National Arts Academy of Hangzhou where he studied both Chinese and Western painting under Pan Tianshou and Lin Fengmian. A strong advocate of developing culture and the arts, Wu Guanzhong was one of the most influential Chinese painter, art educator and essayist of the 20th century. Wu’s belief in art creation as one’s pursuit of beauty and form is reflected in his ability to integrate the two art forms of ink and oil, which represent art historical and aesthetic contexts of traditional Chinese and Western art.

In 2008, Wu Guanzhong donated to the national collection of Singapore his largest and most comprehensive collection of 113 oil and ink paintings ever presented to a public museum. Together with an earlier donation of one work, the Singapore collection of 114 works painted over five decades represents Wu’s entire creative oeuvre. They enable the National Art Gallery, Singapore to conduct extensive research on Chinese ink as an important medium in visual art. These works were valued then at about SGD$73.7 million and represent the highest valued donation of artworks to any museum in Singapore. Wu Guanzhong passed away peacefully on 25 June 2010, in Beijing, China, aged 91 years.

10 lectures and seminars will be held in conjunction with the exhibition. These talks will be spearheaded by credible personalities in the industry such as Faya Causey, head of academic programmes at the National Gallery of Art, Washington; Martin Powers, Professor of Chinese Arts and Cultures at the University of Michigan and Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies, and John Onians, Director of the School of World Art Studies at the University of East Anglia, Norwich England, amongst other international and Chinese scholars.

Article available in PDF format Download

About National Gallery

National Gallery Singapore is a new visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The Gallery is dedicated to collaborative research, education and exhibitions. highlighting the importance of modern art in Southeast Asia in a global context. The Gallery also provides a unique visitor experience through its outstanding collections and innovative programming, positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for the visual arts. Situated in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in the City Hall and adjacent former Supreme Court building — two important heritage buildings symbolic of Singapore's nationhood. Opening in November this year. the Gallery will be a leading civic and cultural destination established for the enrichment, enjoyment and engagement of Singapore residents and visitors from all over the world. Information on the National Gallery is available at www.nationalgallery.sg.

Contact

BURSON-MARSTELLER FOR NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

Aaron Yeo (Mr)
Aaron.Yeo@bm.com
+ 65 6671 3242

 

NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

Fiona Wong (Ms)
Manager (Media & Communications)
fiona.wong@nationalgallery.sg
+65 6697 9138

 

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