The National Gallery Singapore has its first-ever fundraiser gala coming up soon -- here's what it was called:

According to the Gallery, the Empire Ball was organised to coincide with the opening of their new international exhibition, Artist and Empire, which showcases art from the British Empire.

It's planned as a ticketed event of "art and entertainment", complete with cocktails, dinner, and a specially curated experience at the former Municipal Building/City Hall and Supreme Court.

What could possibly go wrong, right? Here are some reactions:

Word reached some of the artists involved in the exhibition too: Sabahan artist Yee I-Lann was so horrified by the idea of an Empire Ball that she wrote them this email:

And also posted this comment:

The Gallery's response, in short: Artist and Empire continues to be "a critical examination" of British Empire art. Also, they say, the fundraiser does not glorify colonialism.

We think Yee's response sums up the problem here quite nicely:

Anyway, the Gallery mentioned in its reply to Yee that they took measures to "uphold the integrity of the curatorial direction" of the exhibition.

Which, we are guessing, includes changing the name of the event quietly:

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Top photo by National Gallery, all screenshots from Facebook.

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