Guided Tour | The Art of Lee Boon Ngan

Join our docents for a guided tour of The Art of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years of Singapore through the Love of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan.

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, The Private Museum is proud to present The Art of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years of Singapore through the Love of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan, a landmark exhibition honouring the lives, love, and legacy of two Singaporeans who have dedicated their lives to art and nation.

While her husband, Cultural Medallion recipient Chua Mia Tee, is widely recognised for his contributions to Singapore’s national visual identity through his realist paintings, Lee remained the steadfast and quiet strength of the family as a wife and mother—while continuing to pursue her craft, and secured her spot alongside Chua as an artist in her own right. This exhibition centres her story, highlighting her unwavering commitment to her practice across decades, a profound devotion to artistic expression and excellence while finding fulfilment in her role meeting needs and nurturing familial bonds.

This exhibition is a poignant tribute to dedication and resilience, featuring rarely seen portraits of children and grandchildren, offering a unique biographical window into the private world of a family bound by art. Alongside a selection of Chua’s renowned landscape paintings and portraits of public figures, the exhibition presents a series of Lee’s exquisite flower paintings she was widely lauded for—a visual realisation of their shared sensibilities that are rooted in passion for realist art, and a quiet reverence for our country.

From glimpses of their shared studio space to works that speak of everyday affection, this presentation harmonises two monumental figures and foregrounds the often invisible labour of love behind art. As Singapore reflects on 60 years of independence, this exhibition reminds us that nation-building is not only about grand gestures, but also the tender, often uncelebrated choices that shape lives and legacies.

The tour will also include an introduction to The Private Museum and the historical Osborne House.

Guided tours are presented in partnership with Friends of the Museum (FOM).

Registration:

Free of charge. Registration is required.

Meeting Point:

The Private Museum

11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120

Getting There:

Nearest MRT Train Station is Little India (Exit A via Mackenzie Rd, 750 metres, 10 mins walk)

Cancelled Tours:

Tours are subject to a minimum number of registered visitors. Please contact us at +65 8068 1151 or info@theprivatemuseum.org if you are unable to join the tour you've registered for.

In case a tour is cancelled, we will notify you as soon as possible.

Please Note:

In registering for the tour, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

• Your personal data may be used and/or disclosed for purposes of data analysis and identity verification and such other related purposes.
• Photos and videos may be taken by the organisers during the tour and used for publicity purposes.
• The visitor will not hold The Private Museum, Friends Of The Museums, and the volunteer guide liable for any loss, damage, illness, personal injury or death or third party claims relating to the volunteer guide's provision of his/her volunteering services.