SINGAPORE -- After five years of construction and refurbishing, Singapore's former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings are now home to the world's largest collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art.
The National Gallery Singapore occupies a total of 64,000 square metres of ground area and is one of the world's largest visual arts institution, rivalling established museums such as Paris' Musée d'Orsay and London's Tate Modern in size.
Besides carrying some of the region's most treasured masterpieces, the public will also be able to take a peek into the building's history via access to previously prohibited corners like the Supreme Court's old holding cells and The City Hall Chamber, also commonly referred to as the 'Surrender Chamber'.
The City Hall Chamber where occupying Japanese forces surrendered on September 12, 1945. #natgallerysg pic.twitter.com/xTPtedlkR8— Alicia Tan (@xphyxiate) January 4, 2016
The National Gallery will also conduct enrichment seminars, workshops and film screenings around Singapore's heritage through the buildings' rich history. Interactive displays such as 'The Social Table' employs a social media platform method to allow for visitors to discover and share the museum's artworks.
The Social Table is the museum's largest interactive platform for visitors to discover and share its artwork. pic.twitter.com/X2I8tzkURW— Alicia Tan (@xphyxiate) January 4, 2016
Children aren't left out of the art appreciation experience either and are invited to get in touch with their creative side at the Keppel Centre for Art Education -- the first dedicated art education facility of its kind in Singapore and the region.
The museum houses several F&B establishments, from fine-dining restaurant, Odette -- which is reported to have a month-long waiting list since its opening -- to homegrown bakery, Plain Vanilla, offering visitors myriad dining options to suit all budgets.
Here are some of the highlights that are not to be missed when you next visit.
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