There are many, many things to do on a visit to Singapore; perhaps too many! Whatever else you decide to do, however, the National Gallery Singapore absolutely must be on your itinerary.
The National Gallery Singapore is located right in the downtown heart of the city. This is one of those examples of an art gallery where the building is almost as impressive as the works it contains. It actually consists of two of Singapore’s most celebrated former landmarks: the City Hall and Supreme Court buildings. Both have been converted into galleries, and are now connected together by a spectacular, glass atrium. At times it’s hard to even concentrate on the artworks, because your eye is drawn to the majestic columns of the City Hall, or the dark, wooden panels of the Supreme Court’s courtrooms.
That’s not to say, of course, that the artworks themselves aren’t utterly wonderful. The permanent exhibitions go through the modern history of not only Singapore, but the entirety of Southeast Asia. Follow the artworks, and the informative signs next to them, through the decades and centuries, and you’ll learn as much about the region’s past as you would at the greatest dedicated history museums.
Another permanent exhibition focuses squarely on Singapore, and it’s also fascinating to see the development of the Little Red Dot visualized in such wonderful, skillful pieces. In addition, there are rotating visiting exhibitions which change every few months. These ensure that, however many times you come back to Singapore (and you’ll definitely want to keep coming back, believe us!), there will always be something fresh waiting for you there.
Getting to the National Gallery Singapore couldn’t be easier. Simply take the MRT to the City Hall station, and follow the artistic, clearly-marked path all the way there.
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