Inspired by a lotus flower, the futuristic ArtScience Museum is an architectural marvel by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie (who also designed Marina Bay Sands®). Its 21 galleries are dedicated to both art and science and international touring exhibitions, including major ones such as Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal in 2012 and Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb in 2013.
This museum is the first in the region to present a broad perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations. Highlights include the Singapore River Gallery, which tells the story of immigrants who lived and worked along the river.
The Museum of Art & Design (better known as MAD) is situated in a private gallery space within Mandarin Gallery mall and features extraordinary pieces of contemporary art. Founder Jasmine Tay introduced this concept with the intent to make such fine pieces of art accessible to all art lovers, whether they’re amateurs or professionals, buyers or plain observers.
The Michael Janssen Gallery in Singapore aims to showcase the artwork of both up-and-coming and renowned artists from Europe, Southeast Asia and North America, including names like Ai Weiwei, Peter Zimmermann, Meg Cranston and Christoph Steinmeye and many others. Apart from solo and group exhibitions, the gallery also hosts film screenings, talks and performances.
With a focus on Japanese contemporary art, the Mizuma Gallery at Gillman Barracks represents established Asian and Japanese artists like Keiichi Tanaami, Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba and Yamaguchi Akira. Opened in 1994 in Tokyo by gallery director Mizuma Sueo, the Mizuma Gallery has made a name for itself at major intentional art fairs like The Armory Show in New York and FIAC in Paris.
Celebrating its 126th anniversary in 2013, the nation’s oldest museum is the custodian of 12 national treasures including the Singapore Stone, which dates back to the 13th century, and gold ornaments unearthed from Fort Canning Hill in 1928.
With a presence in virtually all of the world’s biggest art capitals, from Paris to London, Opera Gallery arrived in Singapore in 1994. At this gallery, not only will you find famous works of art by big names such as Dali and Picasso, but also young, budding talent from Europe, Asia and America.
Situated along the Waterloo Street Arts Belt and housed in the restored 19th century mission school of the St. Joseph’s Institution, the museum has amassed one of the world’s largest public collections of contemporary Southeast Asian artworks since it opened in 1996.
Singapore Tyler Print Institute
Housed in a restored 19th century warehouse, the largest print workshop in Asia holds seasonal exhibits and sells prints by artists from around the world.
This quiet exhibition space showcases contemporary pieces ranging from photography and oil paintings to installation pieces. It’s also the site of art performances, theatre shows and live music gigs.
