The Gallery closes at 3pm on 5, 12, 19 Jul, and remains closed on 26 Jul, 1–3, 8–10 & 15–17 Aug for National Day preparations. Click here for more details.

“Order is essential," the transcontinental Fernando Zóbel once remarked. This philosophy guided both his artistic practice and his methodical exploration of the world. Yet, within this order, his work reveals a tension between structure and spontaneity.

This survey of his art invites you to travel with Zóbel to North America, Asia and Europe, where he practised from the 1940s to the 1980s. You will see his fascination with art history and American Abstract Expressionism in Boston and Rhode Island, his experiments with the syringe as a device for painting in Manila, his deft compositions of black paint on white canvases in Madrid, and his homage to the landscapes of Cuenca. As we trace his travels across the world, we will discover how modernism took different forms in each place and time.  

 

  • When: 9 May – 30 Nov 2025
  • Suitable For: Adults, Families, Visitors with accessibility needs, Students and Educators
  • Where: Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery and Level 4 Gallery, City Hall Wing
Share

Order is essential

Fernando Zóbel (1924–1984) was a transcontinental artist who played a pivotal role in shaping modern art across the Philippines, Spain, and beyond. This exhibition charts Zóbel’s journey through four geographical sections, New England, Manila, Madrid and Cuenca, tracing the evolution of his work and influences.

Explore Zóbel’s artistic evolution from his early engagement with Expressionism and American Abstract Expressionism to his pioneering Saeta series, where he used a syringe to paint. His evolving abstraction—from the stark black-and-white contrasts of Serie Negra to the luminous landscapes of Cuenca— reflect his enduring dialogue with the past and the future.

Zóbel’s influence extended beyond his paintings. In Manila, he founded the Ateneo Art Gallery, the first museum of modern Philippine art. Later in Spain, he championed postwar abstraction, establishing the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español.

Exhibition Materials

Ways to experience this exhibition

Highlights of Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential
Highlights of Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential

Join a guided tour of Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential and uncover the fascinating journey of a modern artist who blended discipline with innovation. Trace Zóbel’s creative evolution across North America, Asia, and Europe from the 1940s to the 1980s, and see how his encounters with Expressionism in Boston shaped his unique style. Be captivated by his bold techniques—like painting with a syringe in his iconic Saeta series—and discover how he found tension between structure and spontaneity.

English, Thu–Sun 11am Mandarin, Thu–Sun 2pm
Show {{totalData}} more

Did You Know?

Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential builds on Zóbel: The Future of the Past, which opened at Museo Nacional del Prado (2022) in Spain and was later restaged at the Ayala Museum (2024) in the Philippines. Expanding on key narratives, the Gallery’s distinct and fresh iteration introduces exclusive works and offers fresh insights.

Explore other exhibitions

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.

Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century
Exhibition

Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century

Explore over 300 artworks in this exhibition and witness how artists grappled with identity, reinvented traditions, and responded to a tumultuous history.

City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s
Exhibition

City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s

City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s is a groundbreaking exhibition that examines the art history of Paris from Asian perspectives.

13
View What's On