SINGAPORE, April 26 — The National Gallery Singapore will be showcasing the best of Singapore and South-east Asian art, but the historical importance of the buildings that comprise it, the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, will be underscored as well.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong said historical markers will be put up throughout the buildings, history tours will be set up and a portion of the City Hall Chamber will eventually be set aside for a special exhibition to highlight key historical moments that took place there.
“The history of the place is part of the visitor experience,” said Wong on April 24 at the official unveiling of the museum’s restored spaces, which also kicks off the its Naked Museum tours tomorrow and next Saturday.
The special tours, which will be led by the museum’s docents, will give visitors a sneak peek at the the new art venue prior to its opening in October.
A limited amount of passes are being given away at its Facebook page.
The National Gallery buildings will be housing its main permanent galleries, the DBS Singapore Gallery and the UOB South-east Asia Gallery, as well as the Keppel Centre for Art Education.
The City Hall Chamber has been the site of many pivotal moments in history. It was where the late Lee Kuan Yew was sworn in as Prime Minister in 1959 and where the official declaration of surrender by the Japanese army during World War II was signed in 1945, among other events. ― Today
