The work of iconic Colombian artist Fernando Botero has returned to Singapore with the largest exhibition ever organized of his art in Asia, 22 years after his first presentation in the city-state. This major cultural event is expected to attract thousands of international and local visitors. The exhibition is now open and will remain on display through May, further establishing the city as a significant global hub for the visual arts.
The exhibition is being held at Gardens by the Bay, one of the most visited cultural and tourist destinations in the world, which receives more than 18 million visitors each year. This iconic setting serves as the venue for an unprecedented showcase that brings together more than 130 original works, in addition to 10 monumental sculptures. The project is the result of a collaboration between IMBA Theatre (Immersive Media Based Art) and the Fernando Botero Foundation, with support from the Embassy of Colombia in Singapore.
Fernando Botero exhibition in Singapore
The exhibition is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in Asia dedicated to a Latin American artist. Visitors will be able to see paintings, drawings, and sculptures spanning different moments of Botero’s career, offering insight into both the technical evolution and thematic depth of his work.
Among the highlighted pieces are his characteristic voluminous portraits, where figures take on amplified proportions that have become his unmistakable signature. The show will also include everyday scenes inspired by Colombian life, still lifes, and reinterpretations of classical masterpieces, reflecting his constant dialogue with art history.
Inside the IMBA Theatre, 130 works — including canvases, drawings, and medium-sized sculptures — will be displayed under a curatorial approach that emphasizes the formal voluptuousness and irony present in his style. This space will allow for a more intimate experience, focusing on pictorial details, color, and composition.
Meanwhile, the 10 monumental sculptures will be installed in outdoor areas of Gardens by the Bay, including sections such as the Silver Garden. These large-scale works — human figures and animals with exaggerated proportions — will interact with the landscape, integrating art into a striking natural and architectural environment.
An immersive experience combining art and technology
One of the most innovative aspects of the exhibition is its immersive approach. The show is designed in three complementary formats: outdoor sculptures in the gardens, indoor galleries featuring paintings and drawings, and multimedia tours.
These tours integrate art and technology to bring audiences closer to Botero’s worldview, creative process, and the cultural contexts that influenced his work. The concept aims to make the visit not only contemplative but also sensory and educational, expanding the way new audiences engage with both classical and modern art.