Explore the rich artistic histories of Singapore and Southeast Asia at our reference library and archive nestled in the historic Supreme Court Wing. We have an extensive collection of artist monographs, exhibition catalogues, art journals, and art archives.
Visit the Rotunda Library & ArchiveExplore the Collection
X artists. X artworks.
Visualising the world from Southeast Asia.
The Gallery is home to the world's largest collection of modern and contemporary art of Southeast Asia. This distinctive collection with unique regional focus is complemented by its strong holding of modern ink from the region and beyond.
The art of Southeast Asia is integral to the global art histories.
Art from “Southeast Asia” refers to a region that encompasses Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. The Gallery's unique transnational approach and collection forms the basis of our curatorial and research efforts to (re)write the art histories of this region.
Our Collection forms part of Singapore’s National Collection, managed by the National Heritage Board.
The Collection has borne witness to the changing landscape of art institutions in Singapore. Over the years, custodianship of the Collection transitioned from the National Museum Art Gallery (est. 1976) to the Singapore Art Museum (est. 1996) and to the Gallery (est. 2015), reflecting the evolving landscape of Singapore’s art institutions and the contributions of artists, estates, and private donors.
Collection highlights
26 artworksVisitor favourites
10 artworks
How to use the Collection
Besides the art collection, the Gallery also has an extensive library and archives collection.
The library
The Library Collection consists mostly of print publications and exhibition catalogues focusing on Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, as well as sections on Chinese art, Western modern art, general art history, and museum studies.
The library is arranged using the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system.
The archives collection
National Gallery Singapore’s archives collection consists of artists’ primary archives (photographs, letters, sketches, diaries, and manuscripts), rare Southeast Asian art catalogues, and publications from the 19th and 20th centuries.
It also contains video documentation and experimental films, recorded interviews, and exhibition ephemera (invitation cards, posters, brochures, etc.) under the purview of the Gallery’s Library & Archive.
The Gallery’s archival records are based on the General International Standard Archival Description (ISADG).
Learn more about our Rotunda Library & Archive