A rare collection of 36 watercolour paintings from Singapore’s prized William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings has gone on display for the first time outside the country, as part of a major exhibition at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
Titled “Tails from the Coasts: Nature Stories of Singapore”, the exhibition explores Southeast Asia’s rich biodiversity through 200-year-old artworks that blend scientific precision with artistic mastery.
The showcase runs from May 10 to September 7, 2025, and marks a cultural highlight in celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia.
The collection, on loan from the National Museum of Singapore, is widely regarded as a National Treasure and features flora and fauna native to the region. Notable pieces include depictions of the elusive binturong (bearcat), the endangered winghead shark, and the slow loris—a nocturnal primate threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, described the exhibition as both scientifically significant and visually captivating.
“These paintings are at once unique and familiar, featuring remarkable mammals, reptiles, and botanicals across Southeast Asia,” McKay said. “They serve as a reminder of our shared natural heritage and the fragility of the environment.”
Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore, emphasized the cross-cultural and conservation message at the heart of the collaboration.
“This exhibition is a timely opportunity to reflect on the deep natural history links between Singapore and Australia,” she said. “We hope it sparks conversations about environmental and animal conservation that are vital across the region.”
Following its Sydney run, the exhibition will travel to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, where it will be on display from October 4, 2025, to February 1, 2026. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Business News Asia
