Cheong Soo Pieng. Tend Cows. 1951. Oil on canvas. Gift from the “Singapore Totalisator Board”. © Collection of the National Gallery Singapore

The National Gallery of Singapore announces the launch of a first special international exhibition, called “Reframing Modernism”, designed and organized jointly with the Center Pompidou in Paris. A flagship exhibition that inaugurates the museum's new gallery, the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery. “Reframing Modernism” is an exhibition that highlights more than 200 objects and works of art by 50 artists, nearly half of which originate from the Center Pompidou and the other half from South-East Asia. This is a first in the art world: an exhibition that brings together renowned artists from Southeast Asia and Europe around the in-depth study of one of the most popular artistic trends. influences of the 20th century - modernism - from a Southeast Asian perspective.

“Reframing Modernism” calls for a paradigm shift in the approach and presentation of modernist painting. The objective is to highlight new perspectives in order to enrich the existing discourse. Based on a comparative approach, this exhibition shows the desire shared by the artists and their body of work to create a new and different vision of modernism.

Throughout this exhibition, visitors are invited to make their own connections and draw their own conclusions about the history of modernism and its role in the development of Southeast Asian art. This unprecedented exhibition presents the work of artists from different Southeast Asian countries including Le Pho (Vietnam), Nguyen Gia Tri (Vietnam), S Sudjojono (Indonesia), Affandi (Indonesia), Latiff Mohidin (Malaysia ), Galo B Ocampo (Philippines), Georgette Chen (Singapore) and Tang Chang (Thailand), as well as works by European masters such as Vassily Kandinsky, Fernand Léger, Marc Chagall, Jean Dubuffet, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

“It is an immense joy to be able to work hand in hand with the Center Pompidou on this exhibition aiming at a new look at modernism. It is the first time in Singapore that visitors will be able to admire works from Southeast Asia and Europe brought together in one place. We hope that this exhibition will be able to inspire new and interesting new perspectives on the theses received on modernism and modern art, ”said Dr Eugene Tan, director of the National Gallery in Singapore. "In addition to the permanent exhibitions offered within the National Gallery of Singapore," Reframing Modernism "reinforces our desire to democratize modern art in Singapore but also throughout Southeast Asia" He added.

“Reframing Modernism” is the result of a joint effort, bringing together the director of the National Gallery of Singapore, Dr Eugene Tan, the chief curator Lisa Horikawa, the curator Dr Phoebe Scott, with the deputy director of the National Gallery of Singapore. modern art (Center Georges Pompidou) Catherine David and the curator Dr Nicolas Liucci-Goutnikov.

“Reframing Modernism” testifies to the opening of the Center Pompidou and its willingness to associate with large-scale partners on the international scene. Our collaboration with the National Gallery of Singapore on this particular project was a great success. This is an excellent opportunity which allowed us to learn more about the diverse and varied aspects of contemporary art in Southeast Asia, and above all, to know how modernism is approached in this part. of the globe. This partnership is also an opportunity for art lovers in Singapore and Asia to discover unique art objects from the Pompidou Center, which houses two of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world, "adds Serge Lasvignes, president of the Center Pompidou.

It is within the prestigious Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery that the “Reframing Modernism” exhibition is presented in a space that includes 3 galleries over an area of ​​1 m858. This project was made possible thanks to the financial contribution of Singtel, amounting to 2 million dollars. Singtel Group President Chua Sock Koong says: “We are delighted that this support for the National Gallery in Singapore can allow such emblematic international and national masterpieces to be accessible to Singaporeans. I take this opportunity to send my congratulations to the Center Pompidou and the National Gallery in Singapore for this very first collaboration. Art is for everyone and we hope that this exhibition will reach as many people as possible. "

The exhibition “Reframing Modernism” opened on March 31, 2016 and will end on July 17, 2016 at the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery. It is located on the 3rd level in the left wing of the museum.

More information on National Gallery Singapore: www.nationalgallery.sg