Cover Clockwise from left to right: Wendy Long, Jazz Chong, Rajul Mehta, Richard Koh, Stephanie Fong, Kevin Cuturi, Valerie Cheah, Chong Siak Ching, Henny Scott, Kim Camacho, Choo Oi Yee, Celeste Basapa and Diana Quek
Clockwise from left to right: Wendy Long, Jazz Chong, Rajul Mehta, Richard Koh, Stephanie Fong, Kevin Cuturi, Valerie Cheah, Chong Siak Ching, Henny Scott, Kim Camacho, Choo Oi Yee, Celeste Basapa and Diana Quek
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The money raised at Gallery Benefit 2023 will support the Gallery’s mission to create dialogues between the art of Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the world
It was an exhilarating night at the museum last Friday as patrons, partners and friends of National Gallery Singapore came together in support of Gallery Benefit 2023. The biennial event is held to raise funds for the Gallery and aid in its continued efforts to present art to the public and enrich the experience for its visitors.
This year, the Gallery Benefit’s theme was Tropical, taking inspiration from its new exhibition, Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America. Guests came dressed in their most colourful outfits and eclectic prints and were treated to a special preview of the exhibition a day before its official opening on November 18.
Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America is the Gallery’s first large‑scale museum exhibition featuring artists from Latin America alongside their Southeast Asian counterparts that explores the shared struggles against colonialism. Over 200 works are on display at the exhibition, featuring 75 renowned artists including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Patrick Ng.
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Above Guests previewing the exhibition, ‘Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America’, at National Gallery Singapore
Guests previewing the exhibition, ‘Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America’, at National Gallery Singapore
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Upon arrival at the National Gallery Singapore, guests were free to enjoy Telmont champagne, canapés by one Michelin-starred Art di Daniele Sperindio and a range of tropical-inspired cocktails at the Spine Hall, as well as view the exhibition on Level 3.
Thereafter, everyone proceeded upstairs for the gala dinner at the Supreme Court Terrace, where artworks that were going up for auction later that night were displayed. A dance performance titled Run Boy Run choreographed by Zaki Ahmad kicked things off, before Chong Siak Ching, the chief executive officer of National Gallery Singapore and co-chair of Gallery Benefit 2023 made her welcome speech.
“The Gallery Benefit is National Gallery Singapore's key fundraising event, but more than that, we hope that this occasion is one for art lovers, artists, collectors and patrons to gather for an evening of enriching conversations and art appreciation,” said Chong. “Here at the National Gallery Singapore, making art accessible to everyone is essential to our mission. In a world that is growing more polarised, we firmly believe that has the power to foster unity and to bridge a society’s gaps.”
Above Gallery Benefit 2023 at Supreme Court Terrace, National Gallery Singapore
Gallery Benefit 2023 at Supreme Court Terrace, National Gallery Singapore
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Her Gallery Benefit 2023 co-chair, Kim Camacho, was next to take the stage and express her thanks for everyone’s attendance and support, before inviting guests to enjoy the food to come.
Dinner was a four-course menu inspired by Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America exhibition, prepared by the culinary team of Conrad Hotel in collaboration with chef Julien Royer of the three Michelin-starred restaurant, Odette.
The highlight of the evening, certainly, was the live auction. A total of 18 artworks and experiences went under the hammer, with 85 more available to bid for online. Most of the lots were works contributed by Southeast Asian artists and beyond, with portions of proceeds going to the artists. The top lot of the live auction was a piece titled Diaphanous 861 by Filipino artist Romulo Olazo, which was sold for $60,000.
In total, the event raised a record-breaking amount of $2.26 million. As an end to the successful evening, guests were invited to proceed back to the Spine Hall for Gallery Underground, the benefit’s inaugural after-party, where DJs from Zouk and Soho House kept everyone dancing through the night.
Click through the gallery below for more photos from the event.
Chong Siak Ching
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
