The Culture Story Presents 'of Human Bondage' - a relationship with Nudes
ByJenevieve KokInstallation View, Image Courtesy of The Culture Story
The Culture Story has just opened the new year with their latest exhibition 'of Human Bondage', featuring an extensive display of 38 artworks from the Chong H.S. art collection. Acquired and collected over the last 30 years, most of these artworks have not been publicly displayed before. Centred around the theme of "nude", Mr. Chong personally curated an array of drawings, mixed media, paintings, sculptures, and Chinese ink by 22 artists from Asia and beyond. The exhibition will run from January to June 2021, with public viewings available on 12, 13, 15, and 16 January, and visits by appointment from February onwards.
'Dreamlike Shanghai' - Chen Chun De, Image Courtesy of The Culture Story
'The Sunbather' - Sydney Harpley, Image Courtesy of The Culture Story
Inspired by British playwright and novelist William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), Mr. Chong borrowed his masterpiece and semi-autobiographical novel “Of Human Bondage” (1915) as the title for the exhibition.
“This exhibition represents one area of my collecting interest over the past thirty years. Like Maugham in Bondage, I like to share stories of my collection journey, many of which are personal, humorous and if I dare say so entirely memorable. This is therefore not an essay about the artists but a chronicle of how and why I acquired their art. Of particular interest would be seldom seen nude paintings from our Singapore artists including early works by our senior artists, such as Lim Yew Kuan, Chua Mia Tee, Tang Da Wu, Wong Keen, Siew Hock Meng, Tan Chor Tee, Lee Boon Wang and Teng Ngee Cheong.” - Mr. Chong H.S.
Installation View, Image Courtesy of The Culture Story
'Pink Lady' - Wong Keen, Image Courtesy of The Culture Story
About The Culture Story
Based in Singapore, The Culture Story is a private art space and salon founded by father-daughter duo Chong Huai Seng and Ning Chong in 2017. This boutique art gallery was birthed from their passion for collecting contemporary art. Having amassed a collection comprising paintings, sculpture, photography and prints over four decades, the two aim to share their love of art and nurture new collectors with this unique platform.
Some recent exhibitions presented by The Culture Story include CONSTELLATION by Futura – debut solo exhibition in Southeast Asia for the godfather of New York street art; Flesh Matters which charted the artistic career of Wong Keen; as well as a solo show Genesis: God’s Terrarium by Singapore’s leading pop artist Jahan Loh.
Exhibition Dates: January - June 2021
Address: 2 Leng Kee Road, #03-06 Thye Hong Centre, Singapore 159086
Opening Times:
12, 13, 15, 16 January: 3.00pm - 5.00pm
(Maximum of 10 pax per group)
From February onwards: By Appointment Only
