Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures

Synopsis

With its dazzling feathers and spectacular tail, the peacock has long symbolised beauty, power, and divinity across Asia. For centuries, its striking form has captivated artists and devotees alike, inspiring works that range from sacred images to everyday adornment.

The peacock motif travelled between cultures. Peranakan art, shaped by the convergence of multiple influences, is the starting point for this journey. Treasures from the National Collection and important lenders explore the bird's presence in a broad range of artistic disciplines. Each object invites visitors to consider how a motif moved between regions and contexts, revealing the networks that connect peoples and how artistic traditions evolve through exchange.

The exhibition presents these connections through colourful displays, interactive stations, and lively programmes. A new work by artist Ernest Goh explores the peacock in the context of its symbolism, cultural heritage, and ecology.