Press Enquiries
Please direct all press enquiries and image requests to museum@nus.edu.sg.
In The Spotlight
Reading the NUS Museum and Baba House
“…I think it’s also strange that we tend to think of publications as sort of secondary materials. Particularly in the context of an exhibition catalogue, there’s the usual idea that the publication merely functions as an index to the exhibition (like Adam’s rib, perhaps?) This is strange because a publication typically outlasts the duration of any exhibition, one month, three months, a year, and what have you – such that our only way of ever accessing the exhibitions are through the publications themselves. In such a setting, I’m no longer sure if the publications are to be read merely as secondary documents or as controlling texts themselves. Paratexts that we would have to read and go through in order to have any sort of access to the exhibitions.” (Kenneth Tay, CONCRETE ISLAND, p. 7)
The NUS Museum and Baba House carry a strong selection of over thirty publications. Each has direct connection with and complement the four permanent collections and temporary exhibitions that have been held at both the Museum and Baba House over the years. These publications have been presented as either iterations of, or readers to complement and depart tangentially from exhibitions revolving around themes of art history, curatorial practices and methods, social, political and economic environments, and artists, their work and practices. They also often feature a wide variety of voices that intersect with the Museum, such as artists, curators, students, academics and many others, tracing their thoughts, analyses, responses and contributions. Most importantly, these publications serve as literary reads for enjoyment, as much as for discovering and learning new perspectives.
The publications, like the various lectures and talks, temporary exhibitions, film screenings, excursions and outreach initiatives, generate deeper insights into the collections and exhibitions, and create opportunities for students, the academia, and the wider community beyond NUS to further discussions and learn about how our heritage carries strong influence to our development today.
We invite you to view the full selection of our publications here. Unfortunately, purchase of these books is temporarily suspended and will only resume when the Museum reopens to the public, where purchases can be made directly at the NUS Museum or have them mailed over by contacting museum@nus.edu.sg. In the meantime, you can take a look at some of our online material such as the ‘exhibition catalogues’ which are appended in each exhibition listing’s page found at https://museum.nus.edu.sg/whats-on/.
18 November 2025
16 May 2025
NUS Baba House to undergo two years of conservation works
Enthusiasts can look forward to a slate of programmes ahead of and during the temporary closure.
6 October 2023
NUS Museum receives largest-ever donation of Straits Chinese artefacts
"Collected by Mrs Alice Tan over a 30-year period, the donated artefacts will contribute to a deeper study of the impact of Straits Chinese culture in Singapore and the region, and provide broadened avenues for interdisciplinary collaborations."
15 August 2023
From personal photo collection to exhibition: NUS Museum's latest showcase features visual narratives by 9 members of the NUS community
Titled Photography Journal Open Call (PJOC), the exhibition presents an eclectic collection of photographic works by nine NUS students, alumni artists and academic staff.
12 April 2021
Nurturing a creative campus through public art advocacy
The Public Art Initiative was launched to underscore NUS’ commitment to deepening the role of public art in holistic, interdisciplinary and broad-based education.
8 October 2019
October at the NUS Museum: between war and the artist, art and the tropics
This October, NUS Museum unveils two new exhibitions surveying the art historical in the region from distinct positions.
31 May 2019
New exhibition from Gilles Massot to be unveiled at NUS Museum
“…you have to lose your way to find yourself in the right place” presents the works of Singapore-based French artist, Gilles Massot. Featuring a selection of photographs, videos, sketches and writings from his extensive corpus of works.
14 February 2019
Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking
Following eleven years of giving glimpses of a Peranakan family’s domestic life in the early 20th century, NUS Baba House presents the exhibition Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking.
22 March 2018
NUS' cultural icon refreshed for a new generation
The University Cultural Centre's first major renovation improves the high standard of guest comfort, efficiency and production possibilities.
3 February 2017
Exhibition: From the Ashes: Reviving Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
NUS Museum presents ongoing attempts to revive the technology of making ash-glazed ceramics in Myanmar.
23 November 2016
Exhibition: Between the brush lines of Lim Tze Peng
Solo exhibition at NUS Museum considers 70-year oeuvre of Singapore's oldest living artist.
1 November 2016
Book Launch: NUS Baba House launches inaugural guidebook
From architecture to social history, book reveals the myriad facets of Singapore's only restored Straits Chinese family home.
21 October 2016
Exhibition: Looking within - What makes an exhibition?
NUS Museum presents exhibition introspecting into curatorial impulses and the exhibitionary medium.
1 July 2016
Exhibition: "Who wants to remember a war?"
NUS Museum draws on war posters, woodcuts and drawings to explore contemporary narratives of the Vietnam War.
10 May 2016
Award: NUS Museum wins inaugural award for innovative museological practice
International Committee of University Museums and Collections recognises efforts to facilitate conversation between audiences and exhibitions.
14 April 2016
Exhibition: Figuring Ng Eng Teng
NUS Museum reveals unstudied elements and works from the late Cultural Medallion recipient’s practice.
Student Voices
Reading the NUS Museum and Baba House
“…I think it’s also strange that we tend to think of publications as sort of secondary materials. Particularly in the context of an exhibition catalogue, there’s the usual idea that the publication merely functions as an index to the exhibition (like Adam’s rib, perhaps?) This is strange because a publication typically outlasts the duration of any exhibition, one month, three months, a year, and what have you – such that our only way of ever accessing the exhibitions are through the publications themselves. In such a setting, I’m no longer sure if the publications are to be read merely as secondary documents or as controlling texts themselves. Paratexts that we would have to read and go through in order to have any sort of access to the exhibitions.” (Kenneth Tay, CONCRETE ISLAND, p. 7)
The NUS Museum and Baba House carry a strong selection of over thirty publications. Each has direct connection with and complement the four permanent collections and temporary exhibitions that have been held at both the Museum and Baba House over the years. These publications have been presented as either iterations of, or readers to complement and depart tangentially from exhibitions revolving around themes of art history, curatorial practices and methods, social, political and economic environments, and artists, their work and practices. They also often feature a wide variety of voices that intersect with the Museum, such as artists, curators, students, academics and many others, tracing their thoughts, analyses, responses and contributions. Most importantly, these publications serve as literary reads for enjoyment, as much as for discovering and learning new perspectives.
The publications, like the various lectures and talks, temporary exhibitions, film screenings, excursions and outreach initiatives, generate deeper insights into the collections and exhibitions, and create opportunities for students, the academia, and the wider community beyond NUS to further discussions and learn about how our heritage carries strong influence to our development today.
We invite you to view the full selection of our publications here. Unfortunately, purchase of these books is temporarily suspended and will only resume when the Museum reopens to the public, where purchases can be made directly at the NUS Museum or have them mailed over by contacting museum@nus.edu.sg. In the meantime, you can take a look at some of our online material such as the ‘exhibition catalogues’ which are appended in each exhibition listing’s page found at https://museum.nus.edu.sg/whats-on/.
News
18 November 2025
16 May 2025
NUS Baba House to undergo two years of conservation works
Enthusiasts can look forward to a slate of programmes ahead of and during the temporary closure.
6 October 2023
NUS Museum receives largest-ever donation of Straits Chinese artefacts
"Collected by Mrs Alice Tan over a 30-year period, the donated artefacts will contribute to a deeper study of the impact of Straits Chinese culture in Singapore and the region, and provide broadened avenues for interdisciplinary collaborations."
15 August 2023
From personal photo collection to exhibition: NUS Museum's latest showcase features visual narratives by 9 members of the NUS community
Titled Photography Journal Open Call (PJOC), the exhibition presents an eclectic collection of photographic works by nine NUS students, alumni artists and academic staff.
12 April 2021
Nurturing a creative campus through public art advocacy
The Public Art Initiative was launched to underscore NUS’ commitment to deepening the role of public art in holistic, interdisciplinary and broad-based education.
8 October 2019
October at the NUS Museum: between war and the artist, art and the tropics
This October, NUS Museum unveils two new exhibitions surveying the art historical in the region from distinct positions.
31 May 2019
New exhibition from Gilles Massot to be unveiled at NUS Museum
“…you have to lose your way to find yourself in the right place” presents the works of Singapore-based French artist, Gilles Massot. Featuring a selection of photographs, videos, sketches and writings from his extensive corpus of works.
14 February 2019
Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking
Following eleven years of giving glimpses of a Peranakan family’s domestic life in the early 20th century, NUS Baba House presents the exhibition Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking.
22 March 2018
NUS' cultural icon refreshed for a new generation
The University Cultural Centre's first major renovation improves the high standard of guest comfort, efficiency and production possibilities.
3 February 2017
Exhibition: From the Ashes: Reviving Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
NUS Museum presents ongoing attempts to revive the technology of making ash-glazed ceramics in Myanmar.
23 November 2016
Exhibition: Between the brush lines of Lim Tze Peng
Solo exhibition at NUS Museum considers 70-year oeuvre of Singapore's oldest living artist.
1 November 2016
Book Launch: NUS Baba House launches inaugural guidebook
From architecture to social history, book reveals the myriad facets of Singapore's only restored Straits Chinese family home.
21 October 2016
Exhibition: Looking within - What makes an exhibition?
NUS Museum presents exhibition introspecting into curatorial impulses and the exhibitionary medium.
1 July 2016
Exhibition: "Who wants to remember a war?"
NUS Museum draws on war posters, woodcuts and drawings to explore contemporary narratives of the Vietnam War.
10 May 2016
Award: NUS Museum wins inaugural award for innovative museological practice
International Committee of University Museums and Collections recognises efforts to facilitate conversation between audiences and exhibitions.
14 April 2016
Exhibition: Figuring Ng Eng Teng
NUS Museum reveals unstudied elements and works from the late Cultural Medallion recipient’s practice.
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