Singapore: Culture and Heritage

Art and Culture

Literature – There are a number of Singaporean authors that really get in under the skin of the country and can give you a feel for the country before arriving. For the biography buff why not try Charles MacCormack’s powerful memoir ‘You’ll Die in Singapore’ or if you’d like to delve into the rapid evolution of the country, ‘Singapore: A Biography’ by Mark Ravinder Frost is a must.

Visual and performing arts are a huge part of Singaporean expression. There are many renowned artists, past and present, who have made an impact both at home and worldwide. Contemporary artist Tan Swie Hian is one such, who used ancient Chinese calligraphy to form the basis of his beautiful elegant works. More figurative painters like Liu Kang and Georgette Chen, two artists with very different methods, also became leading lights internationally. These days the skills of multidisciplinary and contemporary wizard Heman Chong are at the forefront of showcasing Singaporean modern art to the world.

The art scene in Singapore is still growing. Rapid economic progression may have come at the cost of expanding its cultural hubs, but it’s catching up. There are a number of superb venues around the country for both the performing arts and visual. In particular, especially if you wish to bask in the artistic history of Singapore, the National Gallery is key. The National Museum, the Singapore Art Museum, the Red Dot Museum, and the Singapore City Gallery are just as important. For performing arts both the Esplanade and the Singapore Airlines Theater offer unrivaled acoustics and comfort.

British Architecture and Influence

British colonial rule began in the early 19th century and its influence is everywhere in Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles’ original layout for the city of Singapore is much the same today as it was then. Much of his planning extended beyond governmental buildings and also covered the Botanic Garden, ethnic settlements, commercial and educational sites. The British influence brought with it the idea of shop house planning whereby living quarters are situated atop the shop/business space. You can still see many of these on a city tour, although many have now been converted to upscale restaurants and smaller hotels. The British also introduced the idea of private gentlemen’s clubs and golf courses, and helped organized a huge number of golf clubs under the Singapore Golf Association.