![Jean Dunand, La forêt [Forest], c1929. Lacquer on panel. 300 x 600cm. Mobilier National](/sites/default/files/styles/960_640/public/2025-02/Jean%20Dunand%2C%20La%20for%C3%AAt%20%5BForest%5D%2C%20c1929.%20Lacquer%20on%20panel.%20300%20x%20600cm.%20Mobilier%20National..jpg?itok=0G6NoIoy)
National Gallery Singapore presents a groundbreaking exploration of artistic identity and cultural exchange with its upcoming exhibition, City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s. This unparalleled showcase revisits the art history of Paris through an Asian perspective, unveiling the stories of pioneering artists who navigated the vibrant modernist landscape of the French capital.
During the early 20th century, Paris stood as a global epicentre of artistic innovation, where the elegance of Art Deco flourished, influencing fashion, design, and advertising. The city's cosmopolitan character was enriched by an influx of artists and creatives from diverse backgrounds, each contributing to a dynamic confluence of styles and ideas. Asian artists, drawn to Paris’s thriving cultural scene, found themselves both inspired by and challenged by their new environment. The city’s modernist ethos provided fertile ground for experimentation, yet it was also a colonial metropolis, imposing a complex set of experiences on artists from its territories.
City of Others brings into focus the artistic journeys of luminaries such as Foujita Tsuguharu, Georgette Chen, Lê Phô, Liu Kang, Hanamaka Katsu, and Sanyu, who carved out spaces for themselves in Paris's prestigious art institutions, including the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. Beyond the studios and salons, these artists mingled in Montparnasse, a hub of artistic exchange, where cafés and informal art schools provided a melting pot of ideas and influences.
Notably, Asian artists played an integral role in the field of decorative arts during this era. Japanese designers and artisans contributed to the flourishing luxury goods industry, while Vietnamese lacquerware artisans infused their craftsmanship into the burgeoning Art Deco movement. These creative contributions underscored the growing dialogue between East and West, as Asian aesthetics left an indelible mark on European modernism.
Yet, beneath the surface of this cultural vibrancy lay the realities of colonialism and global upheaval. As economic depression and geopolitical tensions loomed, artists grappled with the challenge of reconciling their traditions with the rapidly evolving modernist discourse. The exhibition also examines how colonial propaganda shaped artistic narratives, particularly in response to spectacles such as the 1931 Exposition Coloniale Internationale. Vietnamese artists like Lê Phô and Vu Cao Dam deftly navigated these complex platforms, leveraging their presence in European exhibitions to assert their artistic identities on an international stage.
Beyond individual artistic pursuits, City of Others delves into the broader reception of Asian art within France’s cultural and colonial frameworks. The exhibition showcases new research on the influence of Asian artists on the Art Deco movement, their presence in key exhibitions and salons, and the extent to which colonial networks shaped their artistic careers. This comprehensive approach offers visitors an insightful lens into the nuanced dialogues between Asia and Europe during this transformative period in art history.
Running from April to August 2025 at National Gallery Singapore, City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s promises an extraordinary journey into the intersections of identity, creativity, and cultural exchange. This special exhibition invites audiences to reconsider the evolution of modern art and the profound impact of Asian artists in shaping its course.
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