NLB’s “Untold Stories” exhibition will feature the works of four artists who played an integral role in the development of art in Singapore.
Singapore, 14 Feb 2025 – Before mass tourism in Bali began in the 1960s, a group of four Singapore artists ventured there in 1952 for inspiration, creating a rich collection of works that left a lasting legacy on Singapore’s art history. The National Library Board’s “Untold Stories: Four Singapore Artists’ Quest for Inspiration in Bali 1952” exhibition focuses on this landmark field trip to Bali as well as Java by Liu Kang, Chen Chong Swee, Cheong Soo Pieng, and Chen Wen Hsi.
The exhibition, which includes digital and interactive elements, features a selection of more than 1,000 never-before-seen photographs taken by Liu Kang during the trip, 31 original artworks by the four artists, and archival materials including those donated by his family to NLB in 2017. Additionally, materials from the National Library Singapore, the National Gallery Singapore, the National University of Singapore Museum, collection of Liu Kang Family and other private collections are also featured.
These feature across three sections of the exhibition, which runs from 14 February to 3 August at Level 10 of the National Library Building. In the first section, Imagining Bali, visitors will see Bali’s mystical allure through the eyes of the artists before their journey, with travel literature, colonial-era travel ephemera, and influences from Western artists who had visited Bali; in the second section, Experiencing Bali, visitors will find themselves immersed in the artists’ journey through rare archival materials that reconstruct their seven-week field trip through photographs. In the last section, The Bali Legacy, visitors will see how the trip influenced the artists’ work, including pieces showcased at the 1953 joint exhibition at the British Council, which many consider a milestone in Singapore’s art history.
In conjunction with the exhibition, NLB has published “Bali 1952: Through the Lens of Liu Kang: The Trip to Java and Bali by Four Singapore Pioneering Artists”, a book by Mrs Gretchen Liu, the daughter-in-law of Liu Kang. Featuring over 200 photographs, most of which have never been seen, as well as personal letters, the publication offers a deep dive into a trip that led to the historic exhibition.
In celebration of SG60, exhibition visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the multicultural influences that have shaped our cultural identity, and be inspired by the artists’ pioneering spirit, relentless quest for fresh creative expressions and enduring artistic legacy, amid a challenging post-war period. In line with NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) Singapore Storyteller role, this exhibition gathers, preserves, and shares the rich stories of Singapore’s history, fostering a deeper appreciation of our collective heritage and shaping Singapore’s identity for future generations.
There will also be a satellite display of the exhibition at the ground floor of the National Library Building. This display will serve as a roving showcase that will be set up at selected regional libraries in the coming months. This will enable a wider and more diverse audience to engage with and appreciate the cultural heritage on display.
Monthly talks, children’s workshops, and guided tours will also enhance the visitor experience. These activities offer opportunities for all ages to engage with the artists’ journey and their impact on Singapore’s artistic history. The children’s workshops will inspire creativity through artmaking, while the guided tours will provide deeper insights into the cultural, historical, and artistic connections of the exhibition. As part of SG60, these activities foster cross-generational and cross-cultural conversations, encouraging meaningful interactions and reflections on the artists’ lasting influence.
Mrs Gretchen Liu said: “This exhibition celebrates the spirit of discovery and artistic vision that defined my father-in-law, Liu Kang, and his peers. Together with the book, we hope to inspire future generations of artists and historians and foster a deeper connection with Singapore’s artistic legacy.”
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong said: “This exhibition showcases Singapore’s rich cultural heritage with works that have been inspiring many over the years. In addition, the untold stories of adventure and creativity that accompany the works bring us closer to the moments in Bali and Java when inspiration was born. We are grateful to be entrusted by our partners over the years with donations of archival heritage materials to ensure the richness of our Singapore Stories is preserved, and can be shared for years to come.”
Admission to the exhibition is free. For more information, please visit https://go.gov.sg/untoldstories.
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About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections in Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
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