Associate Professor of History Dr Timothy P. Barnard (National University of Singapore) explores how animals fit into colonial society in Singapore, an aspect of the period’s history that is often overlooked. While animals no doubt played an important role in everyday life by providing transportation, labour and food, they also symbolically represented the colonisation of nature. They were used as metaphors for imperial control in media like paintings and photographs, and became integral to perceptions of Singapore and how its place in the tropics was understood.

This talk was recorded live in September 2019 at National Gallery Singapore in association with the Art in Singapore programme series.

Disclaimer: The comments and opinions expressed are those of the speaker/s, and do not represent the views of National Gallery Singapore.

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