In four forthcoming international special art showing activities, visitors to the Singapore National Gallery can find the works of several of the world's most famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Nam June Paik.

This is part of the work of the gallery in collaboration with leading art institutions all over the world to introduce global art movements and pioneers in Singapore and the region.

The exhibitions will take place in the next four years, with funding from the Tourism Board in Singapore, starting with Matisse & Picasso and Nam June Paik which are scheduled to open in October 2021.

"We're happy to support the Singapore national gallery in putting together world-class exhibits that attract local and foreign tourists to the Singapore Gallery," said Serene Tan, director of arts and cultural districts of the Singapore Tourism Board. The relationship strengthens the standing of Singapore as the gateway to the Southeast Asian visual arts scene.

"These exhibitions play a key role in opening visitor minds to major artists and artworks who have played a significant role in the international art scene, as well as the growth of contemporary arts in Singapore and South-East Asia," says Dr Eugene Tan, director of National Gallery Singapore.

The three-month Exhibition Matisse & Picasso, organized in collaboration with the Australian National Gallery, tells the story of the creative relationship between the two greatest artists of Europe in the twentieth century.

The artistic inventions, innovations, and accomplishments of Henri Matisse (1869-19 54), Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) met in 1906 for more than half a century. The constant friendly competition between the two was not only crucial to their individual success, but it made them even more innovative in color, form, and space, changing the course of Western art in the 20th century. The exhibition, which highlights works from aro collections, was shown in Australia.

More details about the two other international special art exhibitions will be unveiled at a later date. All four exhibitions will be held at the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery.

STB had previously collaborated with the Gallery to support Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibition in 2017 and Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. in 2018-2019.