Event Details
- Dates: May 31, 2025 – March 29, 2026
- Location: National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road
- Opening Hours: 10am to 7pm daily
- Admission: Free
- Website: nationalgallery.sg/GCB2025
Theme and Significance
The fifth edition of Gallery Children’s Biennale coincides with the National Gallery Singapore’s 10th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday, inspiring the theme “Tomorrow We’ll Be…” The event encourages children to explore boundless possibilities for their futures through interactive art installations that promote joy, kindness, love, and dreams.
Featured Artists and Installations
1. Vicente Delgado – I We Them
The Singapore-based Spanish artist created an interactive installation inspired by the value of love and the symbolism of chairs. Features include:
- Whimsical animal and human characters
- Interactive elements like inflatable hands for high-fives
- Dedicated toddlers’ zone with spinning wheels and puzzles
- Play mat for infants
2. Celine Tan and Oscar Lee (Co2_karbondioksida) – Fantasy
This Malaysian art duo created a dreamscape with:
- Soft flooring and large cushions covered in children’s clothes
- 400+ toys suspended from the ceiling and walls
- Repurposed materials (130kg of donated baby clothes)
- A space for reflection and dreaming
3. Wyn-Lyn Tan – Dance Dance Chromatics
The Singaporean contemporary artist’s interactive installation lets visitors:
- Create abstract digital paintings through body movements
- Trigger visual effects like snowfall, misty clouds, and aurora borealis
- Discover a hidden “portal” effect with specific dance sequences
- Connect with nature through abstract art
4. Hiromi Tango – Kindness Garden
The Japanese artist created a sensory garden featuring:
- Oversized metal flowers in pastel colours
- Words like “gentle,” “love,” and “grace” are inscribed with Braille engravings.
- Calming domes for quiet retreat
- Soft colour palette and soothing sounds
5. YeSeung Lee – Imaginary Peach Garden
The South Korean artist combines traditional painting with digital media:
- Inspired by mythical creatures from Korean and Southeast Asian folklore
- Foam puzzle pieces for designing hybrid animals
- Augmented reality to bring creations to life on a projector screen
- Inflatable rocks that deflate and expand rhythmically
Benefits of the Arts for Children
- Helps children express themselves
- Develops understanding of others’ perspectives
- Encourages insightful inquiries about surroundings
- Nurtures the ability to make sense of the world through feeling, wonder, and insight
Artistic Meaning & Educational Value
Theme: “Tomorrow We’ll Be…”
The Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025 theme invites young visitors to contemplate their futures while engaging with art in meaningful ways. This theme couldn’t be more timely as it coincides with Singapore’s 60th birthday and the National Gallery’s 10th anniversary – a perfect opportunity to reflect on growth, aspirations, and possibilities.
Exhibit Meanings & Artistic Intent
Vicente Delgado’s “I We Them”
At its core, this installation explores human connection through the simple yet profound symbolism of chairs. Delgado invites children to consider how furniture, particularly seats, facilitates our daily interactions and fosters relationships. The high-five inflatable hand represents welcome and acceptance, while the diverse animal and human characters celebrate multiculturalism and individuality. By creating dedicated spaces for different age groups (including infants), Delgado acknowledges developmental stages and the importance of inclusivity in artistic spaces.
The artist’s emphasis on tactile experiences, particularly his encouragement for children to engage with physical paper rather than digital media, speaks to a concern about diminishing sensory connections in our technology-driven world. This installation subtly encourages families to reconsider the importance of tangible experiences in childhood development.
Co2_karbondioksida’s “Fantasy”
Malaysian artists Celine Tan and Oscar Lee have created more than just a comfortable resting space – their installation offers profound commentary on sustainability, memory, and societal expectations. The “dream box” concept challenges both children and adults to preserve imagination despite increasing pressures to conform to societal norms.
The repurposed baby clothes and toys (130kg worth) serve dual purposes: they create a visually engaging environment while highlighting serious environmental concerns about consumption and waste. The artists’ observation about the transition from colourful children’s clothing to subdued adult attire prompts visitors to contemplate how we lose certain forms of expressiveness as we age. This installation masterfully combines social commentary with environmental activism, all within a space that feels comforting and nostalgic.
Wyn-Lyn Tan’s “Dance Dance Chromatics”
This interactive installation brilliantly bridges the gap between traditional art forms and digital engagement. By transforming her decade-long painting practice into an interactive digital experience, Tan challenges conventional notions about static artwork. The nature-inspired imagery addresses the growing disconnection between urban children and natural environments.
The dance-activated visual effects (snowfall, aurora borealis, etc.) serve as metaphors for natural phenomena that many city-dwelling children rarely experience firsthand. The hidden “portal” effect rewards persistence and exploration – valuable traits for young learners. Through movement and play, visitors actively participate in art creation rather than passive observation.
Hiromi Tango’s “Kindness Garden”
This installation delves into accessibility, empathy, and sensory awareness. The Braille engravings introduce children to alternative communication methods while fostering understanding of different abilities. The oversized metal flowers with words like “gentle,” “love,” and “grace” create a visual vocabulary of compassion.
Tango’s research into colour psychology informs the carefully selected pastel palette, designed to evoke specific emotional responses. The inclusion of quiet domes acknowledges neurodiverse children who may need sensory breaks, making this one of the most thoughtfully inclusive installations. Through multisensory engagement (touch, sight, and sound), this garden becomes a physical manifestation of how kindness can be cultivated and experienced.
YeSeung Lee’s “Imaginary Peach Garden”
This installation explores cultural mythology, transformation, and creative freedom. By incorporating folkloric creatures from Korea and Southeast Asia, Lee creates a cross-cultural dialogue that expands children’s awareness of diverse storytelling traditions. The puzzle-piece approach to creature creation emphasises that creativity often involves combining existing elements in unexpected ways.
The rhythmically inflating and deflating rock elements introduce the concepts of impermanence and change, sophisticated philosophical concepts made accessible through playful design. The augmented reality component bridges traditional art forms with contemporary technology, demonstrating how cultural heritage can be preserved and reimagined simultaneously.
Admission & Pricing
Basic Admission
- Gallery Children’s Biennale: FREE for all visitors
- General Gallery Admission: FREE for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents
- International Visitors: S$20 for adults, S$15 for seniors (60+), students, and persons with disabilities
Special Programs (Available at Additional Cost)
- Guided Family Tours: S$25 per family (up to 2 adults and 3 children)
- Children’s Art Workshops: S$15-S$30 depending on materials and duration
- Birthday Party Packages: Starting from S$500 for up to 15 children
Membership Options
- Family Membership: S$120 annually, includes unlimited gallery access, discounts on workshops, and exclusive events.
- Gallery Insider: S$250 annually, includes all Family Membership benefits plus complimentary guided tours and a preview invitation.s
Transportation Guide
By MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)
City Hall MRT Station (NS25/EW13)
- Exit B leads to St. Andrew’s Road
- 5-minute walk to the National Gallery Singapore
- Connected to both the North-South Line (red) and the East-West Line (green)
Clarke Quay MRT Station (NE5)
- Exit E leads toward Hill Street
- 10-minute walk to the National Gallery Singapore
- Located on the North East Line (purple)
By Bus
Several bus services stop within walking distance of the gallery:
- At Supreme Court Lane: 32, 51, 63, 80, 195
- At St. Andrew’s Road: 75, 100, 107, 130, 131
- At North Bridge Road: 61, 124, 145, 166, 174, 190
By Car
- Limited parking available at the National Gallery Singapore basement carpark
- Parking rates: S$3 per hour on weekdays, S$4 per hour on weekends and public holidays
- Alternative parking at:
- Capitol Singapore (11 Stamford Road)
- Funan Mall (107 North Bridge Road)
- The Adelphi (1 Coleman Street)
By Taxi/Ride-Hailing
- Designated drop-off point at National Gallery Singapore’s main entrance on St. Andrew’s Road
- Ride-hailing services (Grab, Gojek, etc.) are readily available throughout Singapore.
Accessibility Notes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances at both Coleman Street and St. Andrew’s Road
- Elevators serving all gallery levels
- Wheelchairs are available at no charge (subject to availability)
- Family-friendly restrooms with baby changing facilities on every floor
Best Times to Visit
Weekdays vs. Weekends
- Weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday): Less crowded, ideal for families with young children
- Weekends: Busier with additional programming, but more crowded
Avoiding Peak Times
- Early mornings (10am-11:30am): Typically quietest, especially on weekdays
- Lunchtime (12pm-2pm): Moderate crowds as school groups often visit during this time
- Late afternoons (4pm-7pm): Crowds typically diminish after 5pm
Seasonal Considerations
- School Holidays: Significantly busier, especially June and December holiday periods
- Rainy Season (November-January): Indoor galleries become more popular, potentially increasing crowds
Practical Tips for Families
Duration & Planning
- Allow 2-3 hours for a comfortable exploration of all Children’s Biennale installations.s
- Consider splitting your visit across multiple days if visiting with very young children. En.
- The Gallery’s Keppel Centre for Art Education makes an excellent addition to your Biennale experience.nce
Dining Options
- Gallery & Co. Café: Child-friendly menu with high chairs available
- Courtyard Café: Outdoor seating area perfect for quick snacks
- Smoke & Mirrors Rooftop Bar: Adults-only space for parents needing a short break (mocktails available)
- Packed lunches: A designated eating area is available in the basement
Essential Facilities
- Nursing rooms: Located on Levels 1 and 3
- Stroller loans: Available at the Information Counter (subject to availability)
- First aid station: Located near the Information Counter on Level 1
- Lost and found: Managed at the Security Counter
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