Peranakan Museum Reopens With 9 Refreshed Galleries Across Three Floors

By Karmen on 23 Feb 2023

Digital Editor

Has severe RBF but is fairly jolly and carefree on the inside. Degree of life satisfaction is heavily influenced by food.

After nearly four years of renovations, Peranakan Museum has reopened with contemporary and aesthetic touches along with traditional Peranakan elements.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The blue and mint green facade itself is a marvel! On the left side of the building, you'll find the statue of The ACM Cat, the late resident cat and mascot, that's an attraction in itself with museum goers taking turns posing for photos with it.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Inside the refreshed museum, there are 9 permanent galleries spanning three storeys, each spotlighting a different aspect of Peranakan culture with its own distinctive look and feel.

It will also feature commissioned artworks by contemporary artists that'll appeal to Millennials and Gen Zers, especially for photo ops! The current showcase is Sam Lo's art installation Coming Home at the central airwell. This Instagrammable lantern installation was inspired by the tension between tradition and modernity in Peranakan culture and the search for one's cultural identity.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The museum is divided into three main sections: Origins, Home and Style. On display are over 800 objects from newly acquired or donated objects to well-loved artefacts and set pieces.

In the new Origins gallery on level one, visitors will be introduced to the origins and evolution of Peranakan communities through hand-coloured photographs, photo walls and video interviews.

Photo from Peranakan Museum

Galleries on the second floor present objects related to family and community life, showcasing furniture, furnishings and portaits that once shared the same home.

Photo from Peranakan Museum

The Ceramics gallery features a floor-to-ceiling display of some of the rarest examples of Peranakan 'nyonyaware' and an installation featuring a tok panjang, a traditional dining table with a complex outlay of commissioned dining ware.

On the third floor are galleries dedicated to Peranakan fashion and decorative textiles.

Photo from Peranakan Museum

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

A wide range of sarong kebaya, footwear, bags and accessories are displayed at the Fashion gallery. There are also contemporary pieces such as a kebaya worn by Ivan Heng in Stella Kon's Emily of Emerald Hill, and a pair of beaded slippers worn by actress Jeanette Aw in The Little Nyonya (2008) drama series.

This floor also has a collection of stunning batik and decorative textiles with intricate Peranakan needlework.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

A highlight is the elaborately carved, lacquered and glided ranjang loksan, aka wooden bed, decorated with beadwork and embroidery.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

A new dedicated Jewellery gallery presents over 180 pieces of jewellery across years of changing fashions and hybrid influences.

Photo from Peranakan Museum

There's also something for the kids - colouring activities at the Exploration Zone. Covering the walls is a colourful mural that regular Shake Shack goers will find very familiar; the mural was created local artist duo RIPPLE ROOT, who also decorated the fast food outlets with murals in their signature larger-than-life art style.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The Peranakan Museum also has a retail space to highlight craftsmanship and design from Singapore and the region. For its first collaboration project, the museum teamed up with contemporary brand SUNS Singapore to create Peranankan-inspired artisanal merchandise like exquisite porcelain and jewellery.

Peranakan Museum Admission Prices

Admission to the Peranakan Museum is free for all Singaporeans and permanent residents. To register, scan your IC at the counter and you'll receive a sticker that grants you entry to all the permanent galleries.

For tourists, admission is priced at $12 for adults, $8 for students, seniors above 60 years and people with disabilities, and free for children aged 6 years and under.

The museum is very tourist-friendly! At the first floor are free charging stations, a water dispenser and even free lockers that will be handy for travellers with heavy bags.

Peranakan Museum
Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941 (5-min walk from City Hall & Bras Basah MRT)
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm daily and till 9pm on Fridays
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