Yayoi Kusama at National Gallery of Singapore

Today I went to National Gallery of Singapore to see Yayoi Kusama art exhibition. I'll update more tomorrow. Stay tune.

Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above

To read more, click here.

Pasta at Da Paolo Gastronomia

I love pasta but sadly there are not many restaurants that serve good pasta in Singapore. Think I have to learn how to cook pasta. So far I only know how to cook pasta mix with mayonnaise sauce and some canned fruit like chopped pineapple and cherry. If I can't finish, I can put in the fridge and eat when I'm hungry. 

Anyway, as I always go to Raffles City shopping mall to read books and magazines, whenever I want to eat pasta, I will just go to Da Paolo Gastronomia. The pasta is not cheap. A plate of spaghetti with mushroom only already cost $16.80 (this is not including GST yet). At Da Paolo, I like penne pasta with mushroom in creamy sauce. Depending on the chefs, sometimes the portion size is big. 

For dessert, I highly recommend banana toffee. Mind you I don't like to eat banana. But this banana toffee is simply delicious. Its one dessert I like. 

                            I like penne pasta al fungi. Costs about $16.80.

 Al fungi spaghetti 

 Banana toffee

 The tiramisu here is not recommended. Poulet restaurant at Kallang wave shopping mall serve better tiramisu.

 Tomato based spaghetti

 Passionfruit cheese dessert

Taiwan CingJing, My Favourite Retreat

To read more about Cingjing trip, click here

Wan Qin Yuan 晚晴园 Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in Singapore

Did you  know that Singapore played a significant role in the success of Dr Sun Yat Sen's 1911 Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命) also known as Chinese revolution in China? For hundreds of years, Han Chinese had been plotting to overthrow the Qing rulers after the downfall of Ming dynasty since 1644. Also did you know Taiwan Nationalist flag was first sewn in Singapore by a local merchant's wife? 

Taiwan Flag

Wan Qin Yuan was built and completed in 1902, this double-storey villa was initailly brought by a local Chinese merchant, Teo Eng Hock for his elderly mother. Being a supporter of the Chinese revolutionary cause, he offered this villa to Dr Sun Yat Sen for his revolutionary activities to overthrow the Qing rulers. 

Singapore was the Tong Meng Hui headquarter of the revolutionary movement in Southeast Asia. At Wan Qin Yuan, Sun Yat Sen lived and planned revolutionary activities against the Qing authority . Frustrated with the weak Qing authority who signed several unfair treaties with other nations, ceding Hong Kong to the British for example, Dr Sun was determined to overthrow the Qing dynasty to establish a Republic where everyone is equal. 

At Wan Qin Yuan, you learn more about the history of the villa and its significant role in modern China history. 

How to get to Wan Qin Yuan?

Address: 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874

You can take MRT transport and alight at Toa Payoh MRT station (N19). Take bus 145 at Toa Payoh Bus station which is just above the MRT. Alight when you see Guan Yin Temple (about 5 stops away) and you can reach by about 5 minutes of walk. 

Entrance is free for Singaporeans and Permanent residents

$2 to $4 for tourists and foreigners.

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Sunday
10am to 5pm

Closed on Mondays

For more information visit Wan Qin Yuan Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall website at http://www.sysnmh.org.sg/SYEPortal/

First published on 21 Dec 2013

 A statue of the great revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen at Wan Qing Yuan or Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall at Tai Gin Road.

The Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics who supported China's wartime efforts against the Japanese between 1939 and 1942

Sharing by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Singapore minister

From left, Mr Teo Eng Hock, Dr Sun Yat Sen and Mr Tan Chor Lam. Mr Teo and Mr Tan contributed greatly to Dr Sun's revolutionary goal.

 Portrait of Mr Lim Nee Soon, a local Chinese businessman who contributed financially to Dr Sun revolution.

 Chinese calligraphy from Dr Sun Yat Sen (Sun Wen was his actual name) to Teo Beng Wan. The words 博爱 bo ai means Universal Love.

 Portrait of Mr Tan Chor Lam who was great writer who wrote Chinese newspapers commentaries condemning the corrupt Qing imperial authority and  to help to spread revolutionary message. He also helped to set up more alliance branches. 

 Woodblock print of the Boxer Rebellion 1900

The Six Men who Saved Wan Qing Yuan exhibition. One of the six men was Mr Lee Kong Chian.

The second floor exhibition

 Advertisement advocating support of Chinese goods made by Chinese.

Portrait of Dr Sun Wen

 Graduation certificate of our former President Mr Ong Teng Chong who graduated from Chinese High School, one of the top schools in Singapore.

 Painting of Dr Sun and his supporters.

Sook Ching during world war 2. (Sook Ching is the massacre of the Chinese in Singapore by japanese soldiers to retaliate the Chinese community in Singapore who supported China)

 Message by Dr Sun 

 Chinatown in the late 19th century

This is a movie about the revolution against the Qing dynasty lead by Dr Sun Wen or Dr Sun Yat Sen.

National Gallery of Singapore

Yesterday, I met up with my buddy to explore National Gallery Singapore. For me, my main purpose was to see Wu GuanZhong art gallery. Wu GuanZhong had generously donated 113 of his paintings to Singapore. He combined western style to his Chinese ink painting and the outcome is a really unique contemporary form of art. 

Besides Wu GuanZhong's artworks, I also like Singaporeans artists like Liu Kang and other Chinese paintings. Generally I love most of the paintings in the art gallery except for one section which made me feel uncomfortable. Arts is a form of expression, an outlet of emotions. But if the arts make people feel uncomfortable and fearful, then it should not be exhibited. This section features Singaporeans' artwork which feature nudity and a video of someone washing off the yellow paint. I dislike that gallery as it made me feel uncomfortable. I guess that be the last time I visit that section and I rather spend my time admiring the artworks by Wu GuanZhong. Well, I'm just surprised not all his works are displayed. 

For Singaporeans, good news for you. Just bring your identification card and you enjoy free entry to the national gallery. For non-SIngaporeans, standard ticket is priced at S$20.

Nearest MRT: City Hall MRT

 Horses 

 I like this watercolour painting, titled Kampong Hut by Lim Cheng Hoe

Finally, I get to see Wu GuanZhong gallery. The artists generously donated about 113 of his paintings to Singapore.

 Paintings by Wu GuanZhong.

Another Wu GuanZhong work.

I'm attracted to this painting. Up the Kashmir mountain by Chen Chong Swee.

Modern arts

Liu Kang

Samsui women built tall architecture in the early days of Singapore.

I also like paintings by Georgette Chen.

Arts by Singaporean artists.