More than 70 artefacts of Chinese and Peranakan culture on show in Gardens by the Bay’s first collaboration with local museums for a floral display

The Gardens also unveiled Taiwanese artist Lee Kuang-Yu’s Thinker sculpture as a permanent fixture in Cloud Forest and launched a special 10th anniversary season pass for Singapore residents

For the first time in Gardens by the Bay‘s 10-year history of floral displays, more than 70 artefacts of Chinese and Peranakan culture, on loan from Peranakan Museum (a division of Asian Civilisations Museum), The Intan and The Society for Chinese Ceramics Studies, will be showcased alongside peonies at the Precious Peony (富贵牡丹) floral display. This is Gardens by the Bay’s inaugural collaboration with our local museums for a floral display.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong launched the Precious Peony floral display today, which will run until 3 8 May 2022.

Precious Peony pays tribute to the journey of this revered flower as it made its way from China to Nanyang in the hearts and minds of Chinese immigrants in search of a new home, and how its portrayal evolved as Chinese culture itself evolved. The recreation of a Chinese garden is a nod to the roots of the peony in Chinese history, while the facade of a Peranakan shophouse represents the evolution of the flower to become a well-loved motif of the Chinese Peranakan community in Singapore.

Interspersed in this landscape are various artefacts from museums and private organisations that incorporate the peony in various ways. Some highlights include:

• An antique blackwood bench inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which is an example of fine furniture found in the homes of wealthy Chinese Peranakans
• A Chinese robe that shows how people adapted their lifestyle in the post-war austerity period, by blending traditional Qing-era embroidery techniques with mass-produced fabric
• A rare iron-splash glazed blackware vase
• Everyday items unique to Chinese Peranakan culture that are uncommon nowadays, such as kasut manek (hand-beaded slippers), chupu (covered jars), tingkat (tiffin carriers) and bakul siah (wedding baskets)

Precious Peony, which is part of the calendar of changing floral displays that Gardens by the Bay has lined up this year, faced an unanticipated setback close to opening day. The first batch of peony shipments from China could not be delivered on time due to supply chain disruptions caused by the sudden measures imposed to contain the virus outbreak there. As such, for the first week of the floral display, horticulturists are supplementing the show with peonies from Japan, Israel, and the Netherlands, while awaiting the shipments from China to arrive.

Gardens by the Bay’s Senior Director of Horticultural Operations Gary Chua said, “The peony is revered for its elegance and beauty. As part of our 10th anniversary, Gardens by the Bay is partnering with local museums for the first time ever to curate a brand-new experience, where we present these precious blooms in the context of Singapore’s rich culture. We hope visitors will take time to enjoy the exquisite collection of artefacts on loan from the museums, amidst the beautiful landscape of peonies complemented by snapdragons, camellias, asters, and centuries-old bonsai.”

Precious Peony is supported by Bloomberg and private individuals and presented in collaboration with ChengTai Nursery Pte Ltd, Jia Bonsai, KenSoon Asiatic Art Pte Ltd, Ming & Qing Furniture Pte Ltd and Xi JewelBox.

Donation of Lee Kuang-Yu’s “Thinker” sculpture to Cloud Forest

During his visit, Minister Edwin Tong also officiated the donation of Taiwanese artist Lee Kuang-Yu’s Thinker sculpture as a permanent fixture in Cloud Forest.

Donated by the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore and Taipei Business Association in Singapore on the occasion of Gardens by the Bay’s 10th anniversary, Thinker was among the 16 sculptures by Mr Lee in A Sculptor’s Secret Garden, the first full-scale art exhibition to run in Cloud Forest back in Aug 2020.

Taipei Representative Office in Singapore’s Representative Francis Liang Kuo-Hsin said, “The gift of Thinker, Lee’s signature work paying tribute to nature and life, to the permanent collection of Gardens by the Bay, is testimony to a valuable milestone in the art exchange between Taiwan and Singapore. Singapore is a master in blending nature with urban living while Taiwan is a fertile ground for nurturing humanities and arts that promote curiosity and tolerance. Just as Gardens by the Bay inspires and uplifts the spirits of all its visitors with its blend of botanical beauty and art, we hope that Singapore and Taiwan can leverage each other’s complementary strengths to create positive synergies for both parties.”

Taipei Business Association in Singapore’s President James Yang said, “Taipei Business Association in Singapore is honoured and delighted to participate in the donation of Taiwanese sculptor Lee Kuang-Yu’s signature bronze sculpture Thinker, on the occasion of Gardens by the Bay’s 10th anniversary. It is a progression to another level in promoting cultural exchanges between Singapore and Taiwan.”

It is the latest addition to the growing collection of world-class sculptures at Gardens by the Bay, which now numbers more than 200 pieces. Gardens have traditionally been great social levellers because of their public accessibility, and it is through the generosity of sponsors that Gardens by the Bay has been able to continue this tradition and bring art to the community at large.

You can get tickets to Flower Dome via Klook.

10 Years of Wonders season pass

As a show of appreciation to local residents for their continuous support over the past decade, Gardens by the Bay is also launching a 10 Years of Wonders season pass.

From now till May 2, local residents can purchase the season pass at $20 and enjoy unlimited entry to Flower Dome and Cloud Forest for up to six months. With this season pass, they will be able to enjoy the next four floral displays following peonies, which centre around flowers such as roses, hydrangeas, orchids and sunflowers. This ticketing promotion is available online from Gardens by the Bay’s website as well as mobile app, for visits till Oct 15 this year.

PRECIOUS PEONY

Precious Peony pays tribute to the journey of this revered flower of the Chinese as it made its way from China to Nanyang in the hearts and minds of immigrants in search of a new home, and how its portrayal evolved as Chinese culture itself evolved. The recreation of a Chinese garden is a nod to the roots of the peony in Chinese history, while the facade of a Peranakan shophouse represents the evolution of the flower to become a well-loved motif of the Chinese Peranakan community in Singapore. Amidst this landscape are more than 70 artefacts of Chinese and Peranakan culture on loan from local museums – a first in Gardens by the Bay’s 10-year history of floral displays. Highlights include an antique Peranakan blackwood bench inlaid with mother-of-pearl on loan from the Peranakan Museum (a division of Asian Civilisations Museum), a rare iron-splash glazed blackware vase contributed by The Society for Chinese Ceramics Studies, and intricate Peranakan hand-beaded slippers from The Intan.

Date: 9 April to 3 8 May 2022
Time: 9am to 9pm
Location: Flower Dome

Details:

• Admission charge to Flower Dome applies
• Visit here for details

You can get tickets to Flower Dome via Klook.

PERANAKAN WORKSHOPS BY THE INTAN

GET CRAFTY! – PERANAKAN TILE COLORING DROP-IN ACTIVITY

Learn about how colourful and vibrant Peranakan culture can be by colouring your very own Peranakan tile! Participants will be given a tile with a pre-printed design and shared coloured markers will be provided.

Date: 9, 10, 23, 24 April 2022
Time: 10am to 6pm (15 minutes per participant)
Location: Flower Dome (Australian Garden)

Details:

• $12/pax (Fee includes materials)
• Admission charge to Flower Dome applies
• Visit here for details

Klook.com

GET CRAFTY! – CREATE YOUR OWN PERANAKAN TILE POSTCARDS! DROP-IN ACTIVITY

Learn about how colourful and vibrant Peranakan culture can be by colouring your very own Peranakan tile postcards! Participants will be given an activity pack containing a set of postcards with Peranakan-inspired designs and shapes, and two coloured Peranakan-inspired postcards for reference.

Date: 15, 16, 17, 30 April, 1 May 2022
Time: 10am to 6pm (15 minutes per participant)
Location: Flower Dome (Australian Garden)

Details:

• $12/pax (Fee includes materials)
• Admission charge to Flower Dome applies
• Visit here for details

TOTE BAG COLOURING PARENT-CHILD WORKSHOP

Floral motifs are commonly used on tiles in Peranakan culture. Every design symbolises blessings of wealth, hope, vitality and purity. In this workshop, experience the Peranakan culture as you design a personalised tote bag inspired by the floral motifs commonly used on Peranakan tiles with your child!

Date: 24 April 2022
Time: 10am to 11am; 11.30am to 12.30pm; 1pm to 2pm; 2.30pm to 3.30pm; and 4pm to 5pm
Location: Ficus Room, Active Garden

Details:

• $55/pax (Fee includes materials)
• This is a parent-child workshop, open to kids aged 7 and above with one accompanying parent or guardian.
• Register with The Intan via email at contactus@the-intan.com by Friday, 22 Apr
• Visit here for details

10 YEARS OF WONDERS SEASON PASS

Gardens by the Bay celebrates 10 Years of Wonders with a special season pass to thank the community for their continuous support over the decade. Local residents can purchase the season pass at $20 and enjoy unlimited entry to Flower Dome and Cloud Forest for up to six months. With this season pass, enjoy up to five floral displays featuring flowers such as peonies, roses, hydrangeas, orchids and sunflowers!

Date: Till Monday, 2 May 2022

Details:

• Terms and conditions apply
• This ticketing promotion is available online from Gardens by the Bay’s website as well as mobile app
• For visits until 15 October 2022
• Visit here for details

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