Following two successful showings at both the iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris as well as the Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, travelling exhibition Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago will finally land a spot back home at the National Gallery Singapore this Mar 27-Sep 27.
Featuring more than 80 art pieces which includes writings, photographs and short films by Malaysian artist Latiff Mohidin, the exhibition also offers his most famous Pago Pago works. A term the painter-poet coined in reference to his encounters abroad and more, Pago Pago also became a way of thinking for the artist. Expect to see the entire series within the gallery’s premises.
But while the exhibition’s namesake collection is a major highlight, the National Gallery Singapore also offers exclusive exhibits that showcase his life in Singapore, alongside some of his earlier works. These include a hand drawn map of Singapore’s Kampong Glam, which highlights the precinct as he recalls it from the 1950s.
Kampung I
Having spent much of his childhood in the Bugis area, the spot is definitely a major influence on his artworks. Get to marvel at his earliest works, completed on the streets in the neighbourhood, such as with Kampung I, painted by the artist himself when he was merely 10 years old. This piece was also displayed at his first solo show, held at Kota Raja Malay School in Singapore.
With so much of a look at Mohidin’s early years, this is definitely one of the rare occasions whereby the artist’s life experiences are displayed in the same space. So take it down to the City Hall museum when you can, and see how this painter’s life unfolded in Singapore during the ‘50s, before he travelled across the globe in pursuit of art.
Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago will run from Mar 27-Apr 27 at the National Gallery Singapore. More information available here.
