The symptoms were severe: foxing, discolouration, signs of brittleness across the rice paper, and two large tears on opposing ends that threatened to meet and rend the painting in two.
Paper conservator Mariko Watanabe-Hirano, 42, knew from her diagnosis that the operation on Gibbons - the 1977 ink masterpiece by pioneer Singapore artist Chen Wen Hsi-would be massive.
And at 190cm by 488cm, this painting dwarfed her frame. Gibbons is the largest work by the late artist.
Commissioned by the Central Provident Fund Board in the 1970s, it once decorated the walls of the former CPF Building at 79 Robinson Road, and decades of public display had taken its toll. The National Gallery Singapore (NGS) purchased the work for its collection in 2015.
It was only after a lengthy three months of planning on paper that the Japanese "art doctor" who usually handles smaller items like books and letters - was confident to start the conservation process of the largest paper object she had ever laid hands on.
Chen (1906-1991) started painting gibbons from possibly as early as the 1930s, and the lively primates are his most recognisable subject.
Before settling in Singapore in 1949, the Guangdong-born artist had never seen a real gibbon.
But at his home here at 5 Kingsmead Road, he kept a menagerie that included, at its peak, six pet gibbons that he painted by observation.
Chen's lifelong quest to capture the gibbon's form culminated in this panoramic scene with 14 mischievous apes.
An authentic painting of his can fetch upwards of $600,000 at auction, but many Singaporeans own a mint copy of his work for much less: Two of his gibbons swing playfully on the back of the Republic's $50 banknote.
The conserved Gibbons will be a centrepiece in a new permanent Commissioned by the Central Singapore art history exhibition at the NGS, which is set to open the ing process took more than three first gallery in December.
Esta historia es de la edición September 18, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 18, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Howe focuses on positives after rare clean sheet in draw at Everton
LONDON Eddie Howe praised Newcastle United's defensive display and rare away clean sheet after the 0-0 English Premier League draw at Everton on Oct 5, as a missed Anthony Gordon penalty denied the visitors all three points.
Chelsea frustrated by 10-man Forest but remain fourth
Noni Madueke's equaliser rescued Chelsea in a 1-1 English Premier League draw against 10man Nottingham Forest that ended the Blues' five-match winning run on Oct 6.
Calm Verdy fight back to lift Lion City Cup
Showing their class for a second consecutive match, Japanese side Tokyo Verdy came from behind to defeat holders BG Pathum United 4-1 to clinch the Lion City Cup on Oct 6.
TEN HAG HAILS BATTLING DRAW
United manager says his 'determined' side defended well, showed character at Villa
Sidelined Carvajal to return like an 'animal'
MADRID - Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal confirmed that he will undergo surgery after suffering a serious knee injury in the 2-0 Spanish La Liga win over Villarreal on Oct 5.
Arteta hails Saka's ability to change games
LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could almost forgive his side for going a goal down to struggling Southampton as it brought out the best in winger Bukayo Saka, who scored one goal and made two more in their 3-1 English Premier League home win on Oct 5.
KEY KOVACIC UNLOCKS FULHAM
Midfielder fills in for Rodri and bags brace in win to get City's title bid back on track
Rugby player on rape charge booed on return
PARIS - France lock Hugo Auradou was described as being \"serene\" by Pau head coach Sebastien Piqueronies on Oct 5, despite being whistled off the pitch in his first match since being accused of rape in Argentina.
TEARS OF JOY FOR GAUFF IN CHINA
American clinches second title of 2024; Sinner needs day off after comeback win
Victorious Pereira not switching divisions
Brazil's Alex Pereira roared back from a poor start to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr and retain his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 at the Delta Centre on Oct 5, while in the co-main event Julianna Pena beat Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women's bantamweight crown.