If you have been celebrating International Women’s Day, you must immerse yourself in the inspiring story of this remarkable woman.

He Xiangning: Ink and Intent 
1 April to 23 August 2026, located at Wu Guanzhong Gallery, National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore, in a vibrant collaboration with the He Xiangning Art Museum, joyfully unveils He Xiangning: Ink and Intent, the first-ever retrospective in Southeast Asia dedicated to the groundbreaking 20th-century Chinese woman ink artist. Set to open on 1 April 2026, this bilingual exhibition bursts with passion, showcasing over 50 mesmerizing artworks, meticulously curated across four chronological sections that plunge into He Xiangning’s (何香凝) extraordinary life and artistic expedition over seven transformative decades. Specially designed for its grand debut in Singapore, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the artist’s profound connections to Southeast Asia, celebrating her fervent 1929 visits to Singapore and the Philippines, where she zealously organized charity art exhibitions, fueled by the unwavering support of both local and international Chinese communities. Born in 1878, He Xiangning emerged as a trailblazing Chinese ink painter, revolutionary visionary, and tireless social activist, with her masterpieces intricately woven into the vibrant tapestry of modern China’s social and cultural metamorphosis. Beyond her artistic brilliance, she passionately engaged in the political movements of her time, rising as one of the pioneering women who joined the Tongmenghui – a revolutionary alliance forged in 1905 to overthrow the Qing dynasty. In the decades that followed, she remained an indomitable force in China. A devoted champion for women’s rights, she etched her name into history by leading one of the nation’s earliest International Women’s Day rallies in 1924. Drawing on the dynamic partnership between both institutions, He Xiangning: Ink and Intent transcends the conventional focus on He’s political pursuits, crafting a mesmerizing curatorial narrative that positions the artist as a visionary figure straddling the social, political, and artistic realms. This exhibition offers a profound journey through her artistry across various periods, celebrating her indelible impact on modern Chinese ink painting. This exhilarating presentation builds upon the fruitful collaboration between the National Gallery Singapore and the He Xiangning Art Museum, following the inspiring Georgette Chen: At Home in the World, which captivated audiences in Shenzhen from 9 August to 7 December 2025.

Dr Eugene Tan, CEO and Director of National Gallery Singapore says, “Ink has always been a key research and curatorial focus for the Gallery. We have had the privilege of presenting in-depth exhibitions on ink masters such as Wu Guanzhong and Liu Kuo-Sung. Presenting Southeast Asia’s first retrospective dedicated to He Xiangning is therefore a deeply significant milestone. We hope visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of her pivotal contributions to modern Chinese ink painting and her enduring legacy as a pioneering woman artist of the twentieth century. This collaboration with He Xiangning Art Museum also reflects the Gallery’s continued commitment to advancing ink scholarship and fostering meaningful dialogue between Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the wider world through collaborative research and exhibitions.”

Cheng Bin, Deputy Director of He Xiangning Art Museum says, “We are honoured to collaborate with National Gallery Singapore to present He Xiangning: Ink and Intent to audiences in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Our institutions share a commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue through exhibitions and scholarly exchange. Last year, we had the opportunity to present Georgette Chen: At Home in the World in Shenzhen, an exhibition that introduced visitors to the works and practices of one of Singapore’s pioneering women artists. The exhibition was extremely well-received, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Gallery to expand perspectives and deepen understanding of the influential women artists from the 20th century with the presentation of He Xiangning: Ink and Intent in Singapore.”

He Xiangning: Ink and Intent offers a heartfelt journey through the life and career of this remarkable artist. It begins with In Remembrance of Shuangqing Studio (1878–1925), highlighting He Xiangning’s formative artistic education in Japan, where she had the privilege of training under the esteemed Japanese imperial court painter Tanaka Raishō in 1908. During this vital period, she began to paint lions and tigers, – motifs that would later come to symbolize the strength and revival of her nation. The second section, The Friends of Winter by the Shores of Baima Lake (1926–1937), delves into He Xiangning’s relocation to vibrant Shanghai and Shaoxing, where she actively engaged in various literary and artistic circles, including the nurturing Friends of Winter Society. It was during this time that she courageously shifted from the meticulous style of her early silk works and embraced ink on paper. In 1929, her adventurous spirit took her to Southeast Asia and Europe, where she brought more than 300 artworks to organize fundraising exhibitions in Manila and Singapore. There, she connected with overseas Chinese students and leaders, forging bonds with influential figures like Khoo Seok Wan. In the wake of the challenging 1931 Manchurian Incident, she showed resilience by returning to China to lead important civic initiatives, including the organization of the Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition for the Relief of National Crisis.

War and Frontier at Dusk (1938-1948) examines He’s artistic practice and personal life during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the dawn of the Second World War, as seen through her artworks and personal letters. Despite scarce resources, she continued to use art to rally support and express her patriotic ideals. The final section, Longevity in Art and Life (1949-1972), explores He’s practice after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Characterised by artist collaborations and reflection, the works in this section reveal how she continued to explore and play a key role in shaping the development of modern Chinese ink art in her later years.

Visitors are invited to dive deeper into the captivating world of He Xiangning at an immersive self-guided learning station that celebrates her extraordinary artistry, where the essence of her poetry intertwines with her iconic motifs like majestic pines, fierce lions, and elegant tigers. Here, poetry cards adorned with her lyrical verses in both Chinese and English await your selection, allowing you to personalize them with enchanting stamps inspired by her unique imagery. You are encouraged to unleash your creativity and respond to thought-provoking prompts through writing or drawing, with the exciting opportunity to contribute your work to a vibrant communal display that will transform throughout the exhibition. This learning station not only educates visitors about He’s remarkable artistic style but also illuminates her profound use of symbolism and the harmonious fusion of poetry and painting in her mesmerizing Chinese ink works.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant collage of captivating video clips made during the press briefing! Don’t overlook the opportunity to create stunning print stamps, and be sure to leave your indelible signature along with a heartfelt note at the end of the exhibition—your personal touch will resonate! 😀

About He Xiangning: Ink and Intent
He Xiangning: Ink and Intent runs from 1 April to 23 August 2026 at the Wu Guanzhong Gallery at National Gallery Singapore. A General Admission ticket is required, with free entry for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

https://www.nationalgallery.sg/sg/en/exhibitions/He-Xiangning-Ink-Intent.html