At the National Gallery Singapore
A few months back, I went to visit the National Gallery Singapore, an art museum located in the Downtown Core of Singapore. Housed in two iconic Singapore buildings, the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, it oversees the world's largest public collection of modern Singapore and Southeast Asian art, consisting of over 8,000 artworks. It was opened on November 2015.
I went back twice to revisit the artworks, but there is always never enough time to see them all. But that is enough for some of the artworks to inspire me to write some poetry on them. Maybe the next trip will inspire more verses?
I did a series and they are over at my other blog, i write too. I have chosen a few to showcase here.
If you want to see the whole lot, 10 of them, please click here
At the National Gallery Singapore
#3
The Face in Meditation by Abdul Ghani Hamid
photo by dsnake1
untitled
silk flowers -
the faces
in the doctor's waiting room.
05/06/2019
**********
----------
# 7
Untitled (Grey and Green) by Arthur Yap
photo by dsnake1
friday
this morning, it is sunny and bright
but was it that day in Golgotha?
did the birds chirp from the olive groves?
and children play in sand-dusted streets?
or was it just a mob calling for blood?
revised 03/05/2019
****************
----------
#9
Nude by Ta Ty
photo by dsnake1
wilted roses
wilted roses in a vase
wet tiles
after she has used the bidet
still
a scent of flowers
after she has left.
May 2019
********
Why did I visit this museum? Because I was bored and free that day, and there is no admission charge for citizens, and a friend was willing to tag along. I did not go in search for beauty or truth or life's meanings, and instead I found beauty, and the truth hurt because I realised how little I knew of local art. As for life's meanings, I tried to understand why a broad brushstroke was used, why the artist painted only on one colour, or a riot of colours. I stood before the artwork and the painting tried to talk to me. The friend said we should come back another day, and I agreed.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
I went back twice to revisit the artworks, but there is always never enough time to see them all. But that is enough for some of the artworks to inspire me to write some poetry on them. Maybe the next trip will inspire more verses?
I did a series and they are over at my other blog, i write too. I have chosen a few to showcase here.
If you want to see the whole lot, 10 of them, please click here
At the National Gallery Singapore
#3
photo by dsnake1
untitled
silk flowers -
the faces
in the doctor's waiting room.
05/06/2019
**********
----------
# 7
photo by dsnake1
friday
this morning, it is sunny and bright
but was it that day in Golgotha?
did the birds chirp from the olive groves?
and children play in sand-dusted streets?
or was it just a mob calling for blood?
revised 03/05/2019
****************
----------
#9
photo by dsnake1
wilted roses
wilted roses in a vase
wet tiles
after she has used the bidet
still
a scent of flowers
after she has left.
May 2019
********
Why did I visit this museum? Because I was bored and free that day, and there is no admission charge for citizens, and a friend was willing to tag along. I did not go in search for beauty or truth or life's meanings, and instead I found beauty, and the truth hurt because I realised how little I knew of local art. As for life's meanings, I tried to understand why a broad brushstroke was used, why the artist painted only on one colour, or a riot of colours. I stood before the artwork and the painting tried to talk to me. The friend said we should come back another day, and I agreed.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
Labels: artwork, museum, National Gallery Singapore, Poetry, Singapore
posted by dsnake1 at 10:37 PM
15 Comments:
What a wonderfully rich post, Lee San! I loved making that trip with you.
It is good to find treasures..what a fine collection of words it inspired
I find abstraction in art hard to connect with--I don't read paint the way I do other media. These poems are amazing to me the way they bring out the emotions that I wouldn't have seen in the paintings.
It sounds like art had some surprises for you. I guess that's what good art can do - it intrigues and inspires. I like poetry you wrote. Have a good time when you return to the museum.
Oh, I love these paintings, and also the reflections they inspire in you. It seems like a wonderful Gallery. Wish I could visit! I'll pop over to your other blog now, for the rest.
Oh, I loved all those images and words at your other blog too. (But it's easier to comment collectively here.) I particularly liked the chain gang ants – and the way, in each case, your words don't merely try to describe the images but use them as a springboard to new directions in thought.
Sherry,
thank you! :)
Jae,
i am glad the artworks can inspire. :)
Chrissa,
thank you for your comment.
it is true that abstract art is not everyone's cup of tea. for me, abstraction is how the artist sees the subject, how he/she reduces the picture to lines or patches of colours. :)
Myrna,
it does.
you are an artist too, so yes, good art can really inspires. :)
Rosemary,
thank you for visiting my other blog.
the way the ants are working feverishly on the bits of rice reminds me of a chain gang. :D
i think my haiku has matured over the years. i compare my earlier haiku with the newer ones, and certainly there are changes in style and content.
This is incredibly evocative both in words and image ❤️❤️
Exquisite! Spare and sensual. My favorite:
"silk flowers -
the faces
in the doctor's waiting room."
Sanaa,
thank you! :)
Susan,
thank you!
i like this haiku too. :)
I suspect the first will always stay with me. I will probably see your words on the faces of hospital waiting rooms, living poetry.
Magaly, thank you for your kind words. :)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sorry, Gadgetssai, i deleted your comment.
You were asking were are the 'famous' and 'major' places to travel and stay in Singapore. I am afraid i cannot answer your question, as this will depend on your budget for the stay. We have 5 star hotels to budget backpacker hostels for accommodation. Food can range from 3 star Michelin restaurants to very affordable (and delicious) hawker food.
perhaps you can get in touch with our Singapore Tourism Board for more info if you are planning a trip here. Hope this helps.
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