Take an intriguing look at objects and what makes them Peranakan at the new Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives exhibition at the Peranakan Museum from 30 October 2026 to 29 August 2027.
Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives at the Peranakan Museum
The Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives special exhibition at the Peranakan Museum explores the question about what makes an object Peranakan through its recent acquisitions.
Bringing together over 150 objects, the exhibition is Organised around three themes – “Identity”, “Buying”, and “Creating”.
On display are works and objects that range from the everyday to the exceptional, and the mass-produced to the bespoke. They reveal how Peranakan communities acquired, adapted, and made things in response to the multicultural environments in which they lived.
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As opposed to presenting Peranakan culture as something fixed and defined, it presents culture as something that is continually shaped and changing over time.
Identity
The first section of Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives special exhibition deals with identity, examining how Peranakans presented themselves through garments, photographs and portraits.
On display are exhibits are clothing such as the Chinese samfoo and Indian sarong, examples of garments that were incorporated into the Peranakan way of dress.
Buying
Peranakans are often associated with colourful tableware. Many of these were bought from local and overseas markets, including objects made specifically for them and mass-produced items shared with other communities.
Learn about how tiffin carriers known as tengkats and colourful kamchengs (covered vessels) became part of Peranakan households.
Creating
The third section of the special exhibition highlights how special commissioning and personal creation of objects added to the breadth of Peranakan identity.
This is presented through objects such as beadwork and customised altar cloths.
Interactive Stations and Hands-on Encounters with Peranakan Material Culture
The exhibition also features a range of hands-on and family-friendly activities that encourage visitors, kids and families to engage deeper with the exhibition.
There are Discovery Corners on Levels 2 and 3.
Try your hand at tracing out the ceramics pattern on Level 3.
Use a stamp to become a craftsman and create a “gilded cabinet” using stamps on Level 2.
There is also a tactile panel where you can try creating the intricate beadwork patterns so closely associated with Peranakan culture.
Visitors can also pick up an activity trail booklet, designed for ages 7 and above, for a kid-friendly view at the objects on display at the special exhibition. Complete the stamp rally trail to redeem a little memento.
Activity Space on Level 2
In the general access area of the Peranakan Museum, visitors can also enjoy activities at an Activity Space on Level 2. Designed by Singaporean visual artist HAFI, the space takes inspiration from the special exhibition.
Visitors can create their self-portraits and frame them up magnetically on a wall.
Or try to design objects that would be found in a Peranakan household.
There is also a play area with oversized soft sculptures (socks required to enter).
Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives
When: 30 October 2026 to 29 August 2027
Where: Special Exhibitions Gallery of the Peranakan Museum
Admission charges apply. $6 for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents; $18 for Foreign Residents / Tourists. Children 6 years and below enter for free.
Get more information about the Exceptional/Everyday: New Acquisitions, New Perspectives exhibition.
