National Gallery Singapore receives millionth visitor

SINGAPORE — National Gallery Singapore on Saturday (June 18) received its millionth visitor seven months into its opening.

Mr Ricky Chia, 47, was welcomed with much fanfare, in the presence of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu, who presented him a gift pack that entitles him to an exclusive private tour and VIP invitations to the October opening of the Gallery’s next international special exhibition, “Artist & Empire: (En)countering Colonial Legacies”.

“We are already planning to return for a second visit to view the open spaces and city skyline in the day,” said Mr Chia, who was visiting the Gallery for the first time on Saturday with three of his family members.

At the celebration of the visitorship milestone, Ms Fu said she hopes the National Gallery will become a “place of pride for Singaporeans where a common experience is shared”.

“I look forward to more insightful exhibitions and activities by the Gallery to help build a stronger national identity and a better understanding of what defines us as Singaporeans – our places, our rituals, our tastes and our hopes through art,” she added.

As part of the celebration, there will be free access and guided tours to all exhibitions next weekend (June 25 and 26). The weekend will also feature pop-up market stalls, photographs against life-sized 3D painting backdrops and fusion music performances.