Bringing together 20 artworks by artists from Southeast Asia, this exhibition examines how artists work with archives to address forgotten, lesser known, or marginalised histories. At the same time, it opens up new possibilities for how these stories can be seen and understood from a contemporary perspective. The exhibition invites visitors to move beyond dominant narratives and to think of art as a record of history, and the artist as a storyteller of a shared past.
-
When: 21 Aug - 18 Oct 2026 - Suitable For: All
- Where: City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 1 and City Hall Chamber
- Ticket information: General Admission ticket required, free for locals.
Join us as a Gallery Insider and enjoy free and unlimited access to all exhibitions.
Featured Artworks
Block Out the Sun
Stephanie Syjuco
2019. Thirty archival prints, mounted on aluminum, 20 x 52 cm, each print. Edition 1 of 3. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
2019. Thirty archival prints, mounted on aluminum, 20 x 52 cm, each print. Edition 1 of 3. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
.jpg)
The Fish Does Not Know the War Is Over
Robert Zhao Renhui
2025. Inkjet prints on paper and video (two-channels, 4K, format 1.9:1, black and white, 13 min). 1 print, 83 x 123 cm; 2 prints, each 63 x 93 cm; 5 prints, each 43 × 63 cm; 6 prints, each 34 × 44.5 cm. Collection of the artist. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore.
2025. Inkjet prints on paper and video (two-channels, 4K, format 1.9:1, black and white, 13 min). 1 print, 83 x 123 cm; 2 prints, each 63 x 93 cm; 5 prints, each 43 × 63 cm; 6 prints, each 34 × 44.5 cm. Collection of the artist. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore.
Mendjelang Hari Gemilang (Towards a Glory Day)
Krack!
2024–2026. Multicolour direct prints on paper, wheatpaste, fabric banners and video (single-channel, format 9:16, colour and sound [stereo], 2 min 35 sec). Prints: 360 × 707 cm. Collection of the artist. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore. Music performance by Sangkakala and Sharing Tone. Banner images sourced from Beeldbank WO2 – NIOD.
2024–2026. Multicolour direct prints on paper, wheatpaste, fabric banners and video (single-channel, format 9:16, colour and sound [stereo], 2 min 35 sec). Prints: 360 × 707 cm. Collection of the artist. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore. Music performance by Sangkakala and Sharing Tone. Banner images sourced from Beeldbank WO2 – NIOD.
Recollections of Long Lost Memories
Ahmad Fuad
2007. Slide projection, 71 pieces, dimensions variable. Gift of the artist. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
2007. Slide projection, 71 pieces, dimensions variable. Gift of the artist. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
Fuelling Apocalypse
Ho Rui An
2024–2025. Digital prints on paper mounted on aluminium dibond with anti-reflective acrylic, 5 pieces, each 150 × 60 cm. Collection of Longlati Foundation. Collection of Singapore Art Museum. © Ho Rui An
2024–2025. Digital prints on paper mounted on aluminium dibond with anti-reflective acrylic, 5 pieces, each 150 × 60 cm. Collection of Longlati Foundation. Collection of Singapore Art Museum. © Ho Rui An
Forest
Simryn Gill
1996-1998. Gelatin silver photographs. 120 x 95 cm each. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
1996-1998. Gelatin silver photographs. 120 x 95 cm each. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
Interventions: Farming
Sim Chi Yin
2018. Pigment print and foil on glass. 13 pieces, each 60.5 x 43 x 1.3 cm. Number 1 in an edition of 3 plus 2 artist’s proofs. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
2018. Pigment print and foil on glass. 13 pieces, each 60.5 x 43 x 1.3 cm. Number 1 in an edition of 3 plus 2 artist’s proofs. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
Explore other exhibitions
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.
Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art (R18)
Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art explores how desire, eroticism and the body have shaped artistic practices and cultural discourses in the Southeast Asia. Featuring rarely seen artworks from the National Collection alongside key regional loans, the exhibition embraces the power and presence of desire in art and life. Discover bold, provocative expressions that blur the boundaries we keep between the private and public, the intimate and sublime, soft pleasures and hard politics.
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.