The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is temporarily closed and will reopen in late 2027. In the meantime, works from the National Collection remain exhibited across the Gallery. 

This exhibition examines the artistic journey and enduring legacy of Fan Chang Tien (范昌乾) (1907–1987), a pivotal figure in the development of Chinese ink art in Singapore. It traces his southward movement from China to Thailand and finally to Singapore in 1956 – a journey marked by his commitment to art and education. 

Through a rich selection of paintings, poetry, and archival materials, the exhibition reveals how Fan dedicated himself to the practice of ink art while cultivating his identity as a scholar-artist, teacher, and steadfast master of the Chinese literati tradition.

  • When: 16 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
  • Suitable For: All
  • Where: City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery
  • Ticket information: General Admission ticket required, free for locals.

About the Exhibition

Featuring over 80 artworks and archival materials, this exhibition offers fresh perspectives on the artist beyond his celebrated role as the “Gardener” who nurtured generations of local ink painters. Rooted in the expressive brushwork of the Shanghai School, Fan’s artistic journey reflects the movement of people, ideas, and traditions across Asia.

Journey through five thematic sections, Moving South, Nurturing the Self, Rejoicing in the Everyday, Wandering through Nature, and Tending the Garden, to discover how Fan found inspiration in nature, expressed his values through painting and poetry, and cultivated a lasting legacy in Singapore. 

About the Artist

Who was Fan Chang Tien?

Fan Chang Tien (1907–1987) was an influential ink artist and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of ink art in Singapore. Through his teaching in schools and his private studio, he passed on the Shanghai School tradition to a younger generation of artists. His influence lives on through the artists he taught, including Nai Swee Leng, Tan Oe Pang, Chen KeZhan, and Chua Ek Kay, who each developed a distinct artistic approach while reinterpreting and modernising the ink tradition.

Exhibition Materials

Ways to Experience

Two women observe paintings in an art museum, engaged in discussion about the artwork on display.
Curator Tour (Mandarin) | Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush 策展人导览 |范昌乾：南方笔韵

Explore Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush with exhibition curators Lim Shujuan and Chee Jin Ming. Discover how the ink master's practice and legacy illuminate artistic transmission, cultural mobility, and cross-cultural exchange.

16 Oct 2026, 7.30–8.30pm
City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery, Exhibition entrance (near Lift Lobby A)
A large auditorium filled with people seated in rows of chairs, engaged in an event or presentation.
Fan Chang Tien and the 20th-Century Artists of Eastern Guangdong | 范昌乾与二十世纪粤东艺术家群体

Dr Wang Ai traces the journeys of artists from the Chaoshan area – from Guangdong to Shanghai and across Southeast Asia – to explore how movement, identity, and cross-border exchange transformed artistic practice and the evolution of ink traditions in the twentieth century.

17 Oct 2026, 2–3.30pm
National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium
. A man and woman joyfully playing musical instruments together in a vibrant setting.
Echoes of Ink: Performance Response to Fan Chang Tien

A live encounter between erhu and dance inspired by the artistic legacy of Fan Chang Tien, exploring the elegance, rhythm, composition, and individuality of his ink paintings.

17 Oct 2026, 2.30–3pm & 4–4.30pm
City Hall Wing, Level 2, Singapore Courtyard
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