9 Apr 2009 – Opening of the Wu Guanzhong at SAM

Wu Guanzhong (吴冠中; August 29, 1919–) is one of the best known contemporary painters of Chinese origin. His donation of 113 works to the Singapore Art Museum is the highest valued donation presented to a public museum in Singapore. The exhibition represents five decades of the artist’s works and is co-organised by Singapore Art Museum, Shanghai Art Museum and National Art Museum of China. A key significance of his art is the crossing and synthesising of the two art forms of ink and oil which represent art historical and aesthetic contexts of traditional Chinese and western art.

RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, acting Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts was the Guest of Honour for yesterday’s opening. The Singapore Shawl has printed some of Wu Guanzhong’s beautiful works on their silk shawls and cards for sale. It is Uniquely Singapore to have a piece of Wu Guanzhong to cover over your shoulders.

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up – Pablo Picasso