Development of Art in Singapore

It is often indicated that history should not be comprehended as a linear development. This can be said that because at any one point of time, there would have been multiple dynamics operating at numerous levels. Neither should art history be seen as a history of styles and formal influences. However, while documenting the development of Singapore art we see that only a single historical survey in monograph has been published. This is known as Ma Ge. It is deemed requirement to rely on a loosely sequential framework to thoroughly introduce selected artists and also their works. As the purpose is to stress many historical and artistic themes and issues, the addition of artists and works are not meant to be widespread or disapproving. In this respect, it is also important to state that the works exemplified are drawn almost entirely from the Singapore Art Museum collection.

One important topic of this survey concerns the emergence or materialization of modern art in Singapore. The term ‘modern’ in the sense of the contemporary refers to works of art which are mainly considered as a departure from the past. This recognition involves both a concept of the past and a concept of the present, and these notions naturally vary from person to person as well.

In terms of a ‘modern’ infrastructure for the visual arts, information is there that before the 1950s, there was no art gallery in Singapore. This mainly functioned as a focus for art activities and the art market. Prior to 1950, some art works were bought and sold, but the physical manifestations of an art market or else commercial galleries, promoters of art, art patrons and art events linked to a relatively constant venue, exhibitions with works for sale, all of these were absent until then.