Human Being Human: Selections from the Collection of John and Cheryl Chia

Exhibition Information

Guest of Honour	Ms Yeoh Chee Yan; Chairman, National Heritage Board
Period	19 January–26 April 2026
Location	11 Upper Wilkie Rd, The Private Museum,

In conjunction with Singapore Art Week 2026, The Private Museum is pleased to present Human Being Human: Selections from the Collection of John and Cheryl Chia. Kickstarting The Private Museum’s 2026 programming, this exhibition invites contemplation on the human experience.

The exhibition title, Human Being Human, frames this contemplation as a moment of possibility: our lives are continually defined by the search for identity, the quiet, persistent aspiration for fundamental purity and goodness, even as we navigate a world characterised by upheaval. This exploration is filtered through works that focus on the human body, or the inescapable bodily experience, recognising it as the most immediate and vulnerable site of our existence.

Drawn from the private collection of John and Cheryl Chia, this collector showcase offers a contemplation of the human condition—the singular, inescapable journey shared by all. The exhibition attempts to contextualise this journey through four conceptual chapters, broadly capturing the sub-themes of Stateless, State, Statehood, and Rebirth, thereby analysing the collection of artworks that traces the human trajectory toward identity.

John and Cheryl Chia acquired their inaugural pieces of artwork approximately 25 years ago, while serving as medical officers. What began as an initial, inquisitive engagement swiftly evolved into a profound passion for learning about and interacting with art. Over the ensuing decades, this dedication has culminated in a compelling collection of works that they find both intellectually stimulating and culturally resonant.

As Cheryl Chia aptly states: “We are drawn to art that reflects our times, that reflects our experiences…(Art) it is an extension of our experiences, our thoughts, our ideas. It comes from somebody else, but it makes up the world that we live in. And we live in the here and now…”, inspiring audiences to explore how art can illuminate the complexities of contemporary existence.

The exhibition will run from 19 January to 26 April 2026.

Programme Documentation

Programme Media

About the Collaboration

About the Collectors

Dr John Chia and his wife, Dr Cheryl Loh, have been active collectors of contemporary art in Singapore for over two decades. Having met as medical students, the couple began collecting around 2000, acquiring their first works by Iskandar Jalil and Chua Ek Kay. Over the course of their collecting journey, encounters with artists, curators, gallerists, and fellow collectors have nurtured their commitment to learning about art and collecting with intention. What began as an inquisitive and enjoyable pursuit has since developed into a significant collection of approximately 500 works, shaped by sustained engagement with Southeast Asian art practices. The collection foregrounds themes of the contemporary human experience and the interaction between the personal and the historical, while celebrating artists’ ability to give form and voice to these complex narratives.

About the Curator

Tamares Goh is an arts administrator, educator, and artist. She holds a BA in Fine Art from LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts (1996) and an MFA from the Glasgow School of Art (2001). From 1996 to 2024, she taught intermittently at the various art schools including LASALLE College of the Arts, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University. She actively sits on various grant and advisory panels and serves as an external assessor. Goh has participated in numerous artist residencies, including Studio 106 in Singapore and MariaKapel in Hoorn. In 2003, she transitioned into arts administration at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, where she has since developed and curated numerous festivals and visual arts programmes, eventually heading the Visual Arts team. She also led the curatorial programmes and audience engagement teams at National Gallery Singapore. Notably, she served as co-curator of the Singapore Biennale in 2013 and produced Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge by Zai Kuning for the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017. In 2025, curated Tropical Lab 19 at LASALLE College of the Arts and resumed the role of Head, Visual Arts at Esplanade.

Programme Outreach

As part of our ongoing partnership with Friends of the Museums Singapore to offer weekly guided tours, The Private Museum is excited to unveil new tour dates for Human Being Human: Selections from the Collection of John and Cheryl Chia from January to April 2026!

Each docent-led tour will take you on an in-depth journey through the exhibition, and includes an introduction to The Private Museum as well as greater insight into the history of the Osborne House.

Immerse yourself in the world of Gongfu tea at The Private Museum! Join Qi Pottery’s founder, Kim Whye Kee, for a hands-on workshop The Art of Gongfu Tea with Singapore Clay where you’ll learn the essentials—from warming the vessel and awakening the tea leaves to the precise art of the pour—all using handmade Singapore clay teaware.

In an intimate group setting, you’ll take turns brewing and serving, experiencing the ceremony from both sides of the teapot. Through this session, you will get to delve into the world of Nanyang oolong tea blends from renowned local tea shops Pek Sin Choon and Camellia Tea Bar, where diverse leaves come together in perfect harmony.

Due to overwhelming interest, The Private Museum is delighted to open another slot for the Chinese Calligraphy Workshop! 🧧🪭

Learn foundational calligraphy techniques with Elaine Chan of Inklings 鈴感工房, where you will create your very own personalised Mini Light Box adorned with auspicious Mandarin characters.

Blending heritage with contemporary craft, this hands-on session is perfect for those looking to create a meaningful keepsake for the season.

No prior experiences or Chinese language skills are required as step-by-step guidance is provided for all levels.

As a proud partner of the SG Culture Pass, Singaporeans aged 18 and above can now use their $100 SG Culture Pass credits to sign up for the workshop. Book your spot now via sgculturepass.gov.sg.

For more information, please feel free to write to us at info@theprivatemuseum.org or (65) 8068 1151.