National Gallery Singapore presents comprehensive exhibition of Raden Saleh and Juan Luna
From 16 November to 11 March, the National Gallery Singapore presents 'Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna,' showcasing over 100 pieces by these 19th-century Southeast Asian artists. Raden Saleh (1811–80), hailing from Indonesia, and Juan Luna (1857–99) from the Philippines, are celebrated as national icons and trailblazers of modern art, recognized for their mastery of Western painting styles. This exhibition is the most extensive display of their works, featuring Saleh's watercolours and Luna's notable piece, 'The Death of Cleopatra' (1881). Critics suggest that the exhibition perpetuates a conventional narrative linking modern Southeast Asian art to colonial influences, urging a deeper examination of the artists' intricate roles, as highlighted in ArtReview Asia, especially in light of Singapore's upcoming bicentennial celebrations.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna' runs from 16 November to 11 March at National Gallery Singapore
- Features over 100 works by Indonesian artist Raden Saleh (1811–80) and Filipino artist Juan Luna (1857–99)
- Both artists are considered national heroes and fathers of modern art in their respective countries
- Saleh's works include watercolour studies of Javanese peasants and animal fight scenes
- Luna's 'The Death of Cleopatra' (1881) won silver medal at Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid
- Exhibition is critiqued for reinforcing traditional narratives without critical examination of colonial contexts
- Previous exhibition 'Artist and Empire: (En)Countering Colonial Legacies' was a collaboration with Tate Britain
- Review published in Spring 2018 issue of ArtReview Asia
Entities
Artists
- Raden Saleh
- Juan Luna
- Sir Stamford Raffles
Institutions
- National Gallery Singapore
- ArtReview Asia
- Tate Britain
- Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes
Locations
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Madrid
- Spain
- Javanese
- Dutch
- British