DBS Bank donates SGD25 million to National Gallery Singapore
DBS Singapore Gallery to be a platform to showcase the development of Singapore art
The National Gallery Singapore and DBS Bank jointly announced today that DBS will be donating SGD25 million to the National Gallery Singapore. The donation will be used to support the gallery’s efforts to tell the Singapore story through visual arts.
For the first time in Singapore, the DBS Singapore Gallery will have on permanent display, seminal works from the nation’s art history, celebrating the achievements of Singaporean artists. Featuring key artworks from the National Collection1, the DBS Singapore Gallery aims to provide a deep and comprehensive overview of Singapore art from the 19th century to present day. It will be a critical component of Singapore art education endeavours and an important platform for studying and presenting the cultural and aesthetic identity of Singapore.
The narrative of the DBS Singapore Gallery chronicles how Singapore art has developed in tandem with Singapore’s rise from colony to nation and demonstrates how Singapore art is a product of cross-cultural influences, as evidenced by Singapore’s multi-cultural make-up. It will also highlight how Singapore art is related to the wider international art discourse, reflecting Singapore’s global connectivity. Artworks will be complemented by archival materials through which important art and historical developments are highlighted.
Mr Sim S Lim, Managing Director and Singapore Country Head of DBS Bank, said, “Given our roots as the former Development Bank of Singapore, DBS has played a pivotal role in Singapore’s growth. Today, we are privileged to be a part of the transformation of two distinguished buildings, emblems of Singapore’s heritage, into a new Singapore landmark. As a founding partner of the National Gallery Singapore, we hope that our support of the Singapore Gallery will help to forge a stronger sense of national pride and cement DBS' position as a leading bank in this region.”
Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the National Gallery Singapore said, “DBS’ significant contribution will be applied towards supporting the Gallery’s research, presentation and conservation of artworks from our National Collection. It will also be used for community outreach and education programming. We are deeply grateful to DBS for their generous gift which will enable visitors from Singapore and all over the world to enjoy Singapore art.”
Last year, DBS also donated 26 artworks by Singapore’s leading artists to the Gallery. These comprised works of various media by notable artists such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Chong Swee, Anthony Poon, Tan Swie Hian, Ong Kim Seng, and Thomas Yeo. The pieces were specially selected from the bank’s corporate art collection, which was started in 1968 when the bank was founded. DBS has played a key role in shaping and financing the development of Singapore since its establishment and similarly, its art collection reflects the bank’s strong Asian heritage, and traces the changing Singapore artistic landscape and evolving art scene. Members of the public can view a selection of these donated artworks at the DBS Singapore Gallery, in special exhibitions as well as the Gallery’s educational outreach programmes.
The DBS Singapore Gallery is located at the second level of the National Gallery’s City Hall wing and occupies a total floor area of 1,740 square metres. Admission to the DBS Singapore Gallery is free for all Singaporeans and PRs.