Museum report·Singapore
National Gallery Singapore celebrates ink master Fan Chang Tien
'Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush' opens at National Gallery Singapore on October 16, 2026 and runs through January 31, 2027. More than 70 works and archival materials trace the influential ink artist's journey through Guangdong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Singapore.

National Gallery Singapore is turning its attention to one of the city-state's most influential ink artists. 'Fan Chang Tien: Rhythm of the Southern Brush,' opening October 16, 2026 in the Wu Guanzhong Gallery on Level 4 of the City Hall Wing, runs through January 31, 2027. The exhibition looks beyond Fan's reputation as the 'Gardener' who nurtured generations of Singapore artists, offering instead a broader view of the artistic, intellectual and personal pursuits that shaped his legacy. More than 70 works and archival materials — paintings, calligraphy, poetry, seal carvings and documents — trace his path through Guangdong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Singapore, showing how migration and cultural exchange informed his practice. The show presents Fan as artist, scholar, poet, philanthropist and cultural figure, whose dedication to teaching, mentorship and community extended well beyond his own studio. General admission is required, with free entry for Singaporeans and permanent residents.

