As the sun set, our evening walk led us to the historic Mount Emily Villa, also known as Osborne House, at 11 Upper Wilkie Road. This charming colonial-era villa, the oldest structure on Mount Emily, was once home to a Japanese dentist in Singapore. In World War II, it served as the Japanese Consulate Office.
This venue was chosen to host the Dancing with the Cosmos: Three Decades of Work from Kumari Nahappan solo exhibition, showcasing the three-decade artistic journey of this Singaporean artist. The event was opened by Alvin Tan, Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Tan noted the special significance of the occasion since this area is part of his constituency.
From left to right: The Private Museum directors Claire Teo and William Liu, WOHA founding director Richard Hassell, Private Museum founding chairman Daniel Teo, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan, Kumari Nahappan, The Private Museum directors Rachel Teo, Tan Chuan Yong and Dr Dana Magus and curator John Z.W Tung
The event is organised by The Private Museum, established in 2010 in Singapore by the dedicated philanthropist, art enthusiast and real estate developer Daniel Teo (above), in collaboration with his daughter, Rachel Teo.
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This museum is dedicated to the arts and aims to bridge the gap between private and public art scenes. With a strong vision to cultivate a greater love for art, this independent cultural space actively engages people from various backgrounds, locally and globally, to welcome a wide range of art enthusiasts.
Dancing with the Cosmos is inspired by the Hindu cosmological notion of cyclical time, where the artworks are displayed not chronologically but by colour, allowing visitors to witness the diverse yet interconnected nature. Nature, rituals, time and space are themes that have long been part of Nahappan’s works and are found everywhere throughout the exhibition.
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Characterised by constant evolution, she selects materials from organic matter to man-made structures and found objects to get a new lease of life through her work, allowing them to transcend two-dimensional visuality and engage with the senses on multiple levels.
Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry Alvin Tan (left) having a chat with Kumari Nahappan
Born in 1953 in Malaysia, Nahappan is a notable figure in Singapore's art scene in Southeast Asia. Her artistic versatility encompasses painting, sculpture, and installations. Her exceptional talent for blending "international contemporary art" with her distinct cultural and personal artistic style distinguishes her.
Her diverse portfolio, encompassing paintings, sculptures, and installations, has received international recognition, gracing renowned venues like the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo and the Museum der Kulturen in Basel.
You may have seen her work as her sculptures are strategically placed in Singapore's prominent locations, such as Saga at Changi Airport, Nutmeg & Mace at Ion Orchard, Pedas-Pedas at the National Museum, and Pembungaan at OUE Bayfront (the latter being Singapore's largest bronze mural, spanning over 45 m). Her sculptures can be found globally, decorating places like G Tower in Kuala Lumpur, the J.Y. Campos Centre in Manila, and Zhongshan Park in Shanghai.
In recognition of her exceptional talent, Nahappan has earned accolades like the Philip Morris Asean Art Awards, the UOB Painting of the Year, and the Ksatria Seni Award (2004) from Bali's Museum Rudana. She was also bestowed the title of Artist of the Year at the 15th Shanghai Art Fair and was featured in the book Women Artists in Singapore in 2011.
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Dancing with the Cosmos, overseen by John Z. W. Tung, showcases over 50 works featuring Nahappan's site-specific installations, paintings and sculptures. Some of these are re-creations of pieces unseen by the public since the mid-1990s.
Kumari Nahappan, Anahata (2013/2023)
Kumari Nahappan, Monument (1996/2023)
Dancing with the Cosmos runs until Oct 22 at 11 Upper Wilkie Road.
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday | 11am to 5pm. Public Holidays and other timings by appointment only
For more information, visit theprivatemuseum.org.
