In the 1980s, art historian Yeo Mang Thong began his research into Singapore’s pre-war history, through which he uncovered the overlooked legacy of many artists such as Tchang Ju Chi. A central figure in the formative years of Singapore’s art scene, Tchang’s contributions to the development of modern art in Singapore has been profound and lasting.
In this lecture, Yeo Mang Thong will trace Tchang’s local and international networks and his pivotal role in shaping Singapore’s art history. After the lecture, Yeo and exhibition curator Shujuan Lim will further explore the challenges of researching pre-war art history and its interconnections with other disciplines.
*The conversation will be delivered in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation (Mandarin to English) available on site.
在1980年代，艺术史学者姚梦桐开始着手调研新加坡的战前历史。他的研究让长期被忽视的多名艺术家的贡献重回视野，其中包括张汝器的创作与实践。作为新加坡艺术早期的核心人物，张汝器对新加坡现代艺术的奠基与开拓有着深远的影响。
在本次讲座中，姚梦桐将追朔张汝器的在地与跨国脉络，以及他在塑造新加坡艺术史进程中的关键贡献。讲座后，他将与展览策展人林淑娟进一步对话，深入探讨调研战前艺术历史的挑战及它与其他学科之间的关联。
*本次活动将以华语进行，现场提供英文传译。
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When: 18 Oct 2025, 2pm – 3pm - Suitable For: Adults, Families, Visitors with accessibility needs, Students and Educators
- Where: City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium
- Ticket information: Free, registration required
About the speakers (关于讲者)
Yeo Mang Thong is a Singaporean scholar and senior educator, known for his research of the pre-war period using primary Chinese sources. His 1992 publication Xinjiapo zhanqian huaren meishushi lunji (Essays on the History of Pre-War Chinese Painting in Singapore) is one of the most cited references for scholars in the field. Other publications include Liudong qianyi. Zaidi jinli. Xinjiapo shijue yishu xianxiang (1886-1945), which the National Gallery Singapore translated and published as Migration, Transmission, Localisation: Visual Art in Singapore (1886-1945) in 2019.
姚梦桐，新加坡学者，资深教育工作者。1992年出版《新加坡战前华人美术史论集》是研究新加坡战前美术最重要的参考文献，广为学者所引用。2017年《流动迁移 · 在地经历——新加坡视觉艺术现象（1986—1945）》出版。此书英译 Migration, Transmission, Localisation: Visual Arts in Singapore (1886 –1945)，2019年由新加坡国家美术馆出版。
Lim Shujuan is Curator at National Gallery Singapore. Her research interests include early 20th-century visual culture and art. Exhibitions that she has (co)curated included Tchang Ju Chi: Tireless Camel; Georgette Chen: At Home in the World (2020; 2025) and Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real.
林淑娟, 新加坡国家美术馆策展人，其研究致力于早期新加坡美术史。曾主策划展览《张汝器：孜孜不倦的骆驼》并共同策划《张荔英：此心安处》（新加坡及海外巡展）和《蔡名智：映真》。
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