Art from the National Gallery Singapore (NGS) debuts at the prestigious Venice Biennale alongside a solo showcase by Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui. In a first-ever inclusion, eight paintings from NGS grace the biennale’s main exhibition, curated by Adriano Pedrosa.
These works, featuring portraits by iconic artists including Georgette Chen and Chua Mia Tee from Singapore, and Affandi and Hendra Gunawan from Indonesia, are part of the Nucleo Storico section.
NGS CEO Eugene Tan emphasized the significance of this participation, highlighting the platform’s role in fostering critical conversations about art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Zhao, known for his exploration of nature in urbanized settings, presents “Seeing Forest” at the Singapore Pavilion, a commission by the National Arts Council and the Singapore Art Museum. 
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Singaporean artists on the global stage, citing the Venice Biennale as a crucial platform for international exposure. He underscored Singapore’s vibrant arts scene, which continues to flourish with events like Singapore Art Week, Art SG, SEA Focus, and the upcoming Singapore International Festival of the Arts.
