Yes, it is what it looks like.
Our Museum @ Taman Jurong is made up of three containers juxtaposed next to each other. Little Day Out paid a visit to this bite-sized museum to discover how much art, history and heart can be packed into such a small space.
Brought together by the National Heritage Board, the Singapore Art Museum and the Taman Jurong Citizens’ Consultative Committee, Our Museum @ Taman Jurong is interesting as it brings art right into the neighbourhood.
Stepping inside the air-conditioned comfort of the museum, the first section comprises paintings on different types of media including batik, fluorescent paint on paper and the traditional oil on canvas. You can also admire the multi-media installation, Dissolution, a piece that combines traditional Chinese painting with modern materials.
In the next section, Walter, a bunny character created by Singapore-based illustrator Dawn Ng, invites visitors to consider what home is really all about.
Up a flight of stairs, the second floor holds paintings and scenes of old Singapore.
One painting entitled “A Scene of Buona Vista Village”, by P M Muthu, caught our interest as even we had never even heard of Buona Vista Village up till then. There are also other images of bygone times, including kids at play in the 1960s.
In a corner of the museum, you will also find old photographs of the Taman Jurong area. Scenes from Taman Jurong’s past were on display, including the old drive-in cinema at Yuan Ching Road and there is even one of the then PM Lee Kuan Yew viewing an art exhibition at the Jurong Town Community Centre’s opening in 1977.
What we enjoyed about Our Museum @ Taman Jurong was the little information panels by the side of the exhibits. These end off with thoughtful little questions that even children can relate to.
While Our Museum @ Taman Jurong may be a bit off the beaten track for most, for those living nearby, it is close enough for them to step in with little fuss and spend a few minutes looking at the exhibits. As it is located at their doorstep, they can do so over and over again, and as it is with art, hopefully they take away a little something different from each visit.
Now, if only there were more of such conveniently-located museums around the rest of the island…
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Weekends: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
