National Gallery Singapore

  • What's OnWhat's On
  • Plan Your VisitPlan Your Visit
    • Back
    • What You Need to Know
    • Tours
    • Shop & Dine
    • Audio Guide
  • Explore Our ArtExplore Our Art
    • Back
    • Exhibitions
    • Artworks
  • Discover & LearnDiscover & Learn
    • Back
    • Kids & Families
    • Adults
    • Schools
    • Community
    • Publications
    • Resource Centre
  • Join & GiveJoin & Give
    • Back
    • Overview
    • Make A Gift
      • Back
      • Art Adoption & Acquisition Programme
      • Artwork Donations
      • Patron Programme
      • Our Donors
    • Partnerships
      • Back
      • Partnerships
      • SPONSORSHIPS
    • Join
      • Back
      • Best Friends of the Gallery
      • Membership
    • Careers
      • Back
      • Career Opportunities
      • Internship Opportunities
  • About UsAbout Us
    • Back
    • About The Gallery
      • Back
      • Overview
      • Board Members
      • Annual Reports
      • Awards
    • News
      • Back
      • Press Room
    • Building
      • Back
      • History
      • Architecture
    • Tenders
Sign In
Buy Tickets
  • Subscribe NewsletterSubscribe Newsletter
  • Be a Member
  • Venue Rental
  • Contact Us
  • ENLanguage
    • EN
    • 中文
Sign In
Buy tickets
×
Media Release
Embargoed till 19 June 2014, 4pm

The Worlds of Georgette Chen

Singapore, 19 Jun 2014

The first-ever docudrama on Singapore’s pioneer artist

National Gallery Singapore presents a three-part docudrama on Georgette Chen (1906 - 1993), one of Singapore’s most loved artists. Commissioned by the Gallery in the run up to its opening, the docudrama will give the dramatic worlds of Georgette Chen a contemporary relevance. Produced by Channel NewsAsia, the series will feature MediaCorp’s top actress, Rui En, as the iconic artist.

Shot on location in Europe, China and Southeast Asia, the docudrama is set in three periods: the French period from 1927 to 1933; the Chinese/Hong Kong period from 1934 to 1948; and the Penang/Singapore period from 1950 to 1980. Set against the tumultuous years of the Second World War, the storyline mirrors Georgette Chen’s artistic oeuvre. Born in 1906, Georgette Chen received her art education in Paris, New York as well as in Shanghai. Immensely inspired by her surroundings, she produced still lifes, portraits and landscapes from each phase. Her portraits of her first husband and more importantly, of herself, are painterly windows to her cinematic life.

Georgette Chen eventually found her home in Singapore and taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts until her retirement in 1981. Regarded as an important artist who contributed immensely to the burgeoning Nanyang school of painting and to Singapore’s art movement for over four decades, Georgette Chen was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1982.

“Given the important position that Georgette Chen occupies in Singapore’s art history, which is a key focus of the National Gallery, the enactments in the form of drama will allow us to further the appreciation and understanding of Singapore’s art historical development among a new generation,” says CEO of National Gallery Singapore, Ms Chong Siak Ching. “And we will continue to explore new avenues of marketing, including digital and social media, to communicate the Gallery’s offerings to a wide audience.”

Managing Director of Channel NewsAsia, Debra Soon, adds, ““There are many significant moments and people in Singapore’s history that are not sufficiently made known. For Channel NewsAsia, we want to help tell these stories for audiences as part of the record of Asia’s artistic history. We are delighted to work with the National Gallery in this ambitious project. We want to be able to bring the story of Georgette Chen to life, not to just capture her story, but to make it one that resonates with all viewers, in Singapore and beyond.”

Actress Rui En sees portraying Georgette Chen as a rare and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “The more I read about her, the more I realise how important the role is. In her day, it was rare for women to paint professionally. She was a pioneer on many fronts and her quiet strength and love for life will certainly inspire women today.”

The docudrama, produced by Channel NewsAsia’s English Current Affairs team, will telecast in April 2015 on Channel NewsAsia and MediaCorp Channel 5. The series will also be adapted into Chinese for telecast on Channel 8. Artworks by Georgette Chen will be on display in the DBS Singapore Gallery when the National Gallery Singapore opens in 2015.

Article available in PDF format Download

About National Gallery Singapore

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

 

Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Trip Advisor

This website is best experienced on portrait mode of your mobile devices.

Gallery Explorer App Android App on Google Play Download on the App Store
Contact Us Support Site Map Terms of Use Privacy Policy
© 2019 All Rights Reserved
×

Newsletter Sign-Up

Keep up with all the latest news, events, and promotions at the Gallery.
Sign up for our e-newsletter today!

Invalid entry, please check your First Name input.
Invalid entry, please check your Last Name input.
Invalid entry, please check your Email input.
Invalid entry, please check your Captcha input.
In order to subscribe to our newsletters, you must agree to National Gallery Singapore's terms and conditions.

You have successfully subscribed!

Thank you for signing up with us!

We will keep you posted on any events or happenings at the National Gallery.

×

Register for a free Gallery Account

Or, if you prefer...

Log in with FacebookLog in with Facebook

With our Gallery Account, you can:

  • Create your own art collection and share it with your friends
  • Engage in conversations about art
  • Stay informed by signing up for our newsletters
  • Manage your email preferences

Or, if you prefer...

Log in with FacebookLog in with Facebook

* Compulsory fields are denoted with asterisk.

Your registration was successful.

×

Sign in to National Gallery Singapore

via your Facebook

Log in with FacebookFacebook

via your Gallery Account

* Compulsory fields are denoted with asterisk.

Forgot password?
Don't have an account with us yet?
Register Now

By signing in to National Gallery Singapore, you accept without limitation or qualification our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Moderation Policy.

×

Forgot your password?

Please enter the email address associated with your Gallery Account
and we'll send you the instructions to reset your password.

Forgot your password?

We have sent you an email with instructions to reset your password.

×

Update Photo

Photo have been uploaded successfully.