In a cultural tribute to the renowned Mexican artist, the National Library and Embassy of Mexico launch an exhibition tracing his artistic encounters across the Pacific.

Singapore, 8 May 2025 — The National Library of Singapore, in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, officially opened the exhibition “Miguel Covarrubias: A Mexican Artist’s Fascination with the Pacific” as part of its Untold Stories series. This immersive showcase highlights the profound artistic and ethnographic journey of Miguel Covarrubias, whose travels across the Pacific—especially to Bali—left a lasting imprint on his work and global perceptions of the region.

Graced by diplomats, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts, the event also marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Mexico, underlining the shared cultural heritage and long-standing ties between both nations.

National Library Board CEO, Mr. Ng Cher Pong, opened the ceremony with remarks celebrating the intersection of cultures represented in the exhibit. “We are honoured to host this exhibition, a collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico. It is timely and meaningful, as Singapore and Mexico commemorate five decades of diplomatic ties this year,” he said. “Covarrubias’ artistic exploration of Bali and his influence on our own pioneering Singapore artists offer an inspiring cross-cultural dialogue.”

Highlighting the connections, the accompanying Untold Stories exhibition features works from four Singaporean artists—Liu Kang, Chen Chong Swee, Cheong Soo Pieng, and Chen Wen Hsi—who, inspired by Bali’s charm, journeyed there in 1952, twenty years after Covarrubias’ visits. Notably, Liu Kang’s personal copy of Covarrubias’ Island of Bali, dated 1949, is also on display.

His Excellency Agustín García-López Loaeza, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore, delivered an impassioned speech about Covarrubias’ legacy. “Miguel Covarrubias was a visionary who saw the Pacific not as a barrier but as a corridor of exchange, where cultures, traditions, and people intertwined,” he remarked. “His seminal works—ranging from paintings and illustrations to six monumental maps titled Pageant of the Pacific—encouraged the world to reconsider the Pacific region as central to the global narrative.”

The ambassador noted Covarrubias’ multidisciplinary talents and his transformative stays in Bali, which he first visited with his wife, dancer Rosa Rolanda, in 1930. This journey culminated in his acclaimed 1937 book Island of Bali, which remains a key reference in Balinese studies. “Through this exhibition, we trace how a young boy known as El Chamaco grew into a cultural giant who re-centred world perspectives through Pacific lenses,” Ambassador García-López added.

The exhibition is open to the public from 9 May to 3 August 2025 at the National Library, offering a rare glimpse into a body of work that bridges art, ethnography, and cross-continental storytelling. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the accompanying Untold Stories exhibit to appreciate the regional ripple effects of Covarrubias’ influence.

Source: IN Diplomacy Reporters