Basoeki Abdullah's luminous portraits of political figures and attractive women made him one of Southeast Asia's most sought-after painters. The exhibition showcases two significant paintings that the artist donated to Singapore: Labour (gifted to Singapore City Council in 1959) and Struggle for the Re-establishment of the Democracy and the Right for the People (gifted to the National Museum Art Gallery in 1981). Centring on these works, the exhibition explores how this exemplary Southeast Asian artist navigated high society and was attuned to the “geopoetic” value of his artwork.

Once described as "the Rembrandt of the East," Basoeki (1915‒1993) achieved international fame when he won an art contest held for the coronation of Queen Juliana of Amsterdam in 1948. His artworks can be found in national collections across Southeast Asia.  The exhibition invites us to consider the “power” of art in postcolonial Southeast Asia and to see this prominent portraitist anew. 

  • When: 9 May 2025 – 31 Mar 2026
  • Suitable For: Adults, Families, Visitors with accessibility needs, Students and Educators
  • Where: Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery, Dalam Southeast Asia
  • Ticket Information: A General Admission ticket is required
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Ways to experience this exhibition

In-gallery Conversation with Curator Grace Samboh
In-gallery Conversation with Curator Grace Samboh

Join curator Grace Samboh for a screening of documentary Basoeki Abdullah Seniman Empat Zaman*; followed by a post-screening discussion about Basoeki Abdullah’s sprawling network of connections to Singapore and his last and presumably largest commission work: a panel of 700 cm painting and four panels of 250 cm wide paintings depicting the all the leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement in the time that Indonesia was hosting its 10th Summit, in 1992.

*The documentary will be in Bahasa Indonesia with English subtitles.

23 Jan 2026, 7pm
Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery, Dalam Southeast Asia
Curatorial Roundtable
Panel Discussion | Basoeki Abdullah and Contemporary Indonesian Art

Presenting new research and contemporary curatorial projects on Basoeki Abdullah and his ongoing relevance within the Indonesian contemporary art scene, this panel brings together curators Sally Texania and Gie Sanjaya in conversation. Representing a new generation of discourse on Basoeki Abdullah, Sally and Gie have worked with renowned Indonesian institutions who have played key roles in framing Basoeki Abdullah as a significant artist in Indonesian art history. 

24 Jan 2026, 2.30pm
City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium at National Gallery Singapore
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Exhibition Materials