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.

Samboh’s research examines contemporary practices outside the existing centers of the Indonesian art scene, reconnecting them with the past and central narratives. Her work with Hyphen— has included presentations on Basoeki Abdullah and his regional connections, such as at Jim Thompson Art Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

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

  • When: 23 Jan 2026, 7pm
  • Suitable For: Adults, Visitors with accessibility needs, Students and Educators
  • Where: Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery, Dalam Southeast Asia
  • Ticket information: Free, registration required
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About the Exhibition

Diplomacy and Desire: Basoeki Abdullah in Singapore

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.

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