Brilliant Hues: The Power of Red and Gold

The creative application of gold has existed since ancient times. It has been used ubiquitously across cultures inter-continentally from the North African’s of Egypt, the intricate adornment of the Middle East, the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas of the Americas, the Christian artisans of Europe and in the sacred artists of the East from Russia to China and all in between. It’s use has always been multi-faceted, reflecting power and wealth alongside divinity, communicating spiritual truth and illumination across cultures.

The use of the colour red dates back to the dawn of human expression. Red ochre pigment was used in the very first prehistoric cave paintings. Red often symbolises life itself and its fragility. Emotionally, it represents our richest human passions and intensity of feeling, love and hate and abundance of energy. In Chinese culture for example, it is a colour of celebration, recognised as a sign of vitality, joy and good fortune. Its use is diverse but always rich.

Opera Gallery Singapore presents Brilliant Hues: The Power of Red and Gold, a curated selection of artworks which celebrate these two primal pigments at the heart and pinnacle of our unified expression of truth, zeal, hope and prosperity. What could be more innate and intrinsic as red pulses through our bodies colouring us, warmed by the golden sun that shines above us, sustaining life for our entire planet?