When SKULLPANDA steps into the National Museum of Singapore this December, it marks both the arrival of a cult-favourite collectible character and a bold new chapter in how museums, brands, and cultural institutions engage audiences, one shaped as much by pop culture as by heritage.

Opening 12 December 2025, the SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase makes its first international appearance in Singapore after a successful debut in Shanghai. The experience brings together POP MART, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and the National Museum of Singapore in a rare tripartite collaboration—one that blends contemporary art, youth culture, and local tradition in unexpected ways.

Created by Chinese artist Xiong Miao in 2018, SKULLPANDA began life within the designer collectible scene before evolving into a striking artistic persona. “SKULLPANDA embraces all the uncertainties and questions of life,” Xiong has said—a perspective shaped by her background in game concept design, where narrative and visual symbolism intertwine.

That philosophy lies at the heart of the CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase. Rather than displaying collectibles as static objects, the exhibition transforms them into immersive installations exploring six themes familiar to everyday life: Emotion, Fortune, Rules, Exploration, Life, and Direction. Visitors step into environments filled with towering sculptures, symbolic objects and interactive spaces, where ordinary items such as door frames and keys become metaphors for choice, confinement, and personal freedom.

“We’re delighted to bring the showcase to Singapore,” said Justin Moon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at POP MART. “It allows us to share the vision of SKULLPANDA not just as a beloved character, but as a vehicle for meaningful reflection on the human experience.”

For the National Museum, SKULLPANDA represents part of a broader mission to connect with new audiences through contemporary cultural movements.

The museum previously partnered with POP MART in 2024 for Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play, a playful look at toy culture that drew strong public response. This latest collaboration takes the exploration further, examining how collectibles have evolved into expressions of identity, aesthetics, and storytelling.

Ms. Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore said: “As the people’s museum, we are excited to host the SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase as it continues our exploration of collectible culture that began with Play:Date. Our commitment to examining contemporary Singapore means engaging with cultural movements such as collectible culture, allowing us to harness the phenomenon’s widespread appeal to connect with diverse audiences through SKULLPANDA’s artistry and provide new pathways to deeper museum experiences.” 

Exclusive to the Singapore run is an installation inspired by a beloved local pastime: bird singing. For decades, enthusiasts have gathered in neighbourhood coffee shops and community spaces to display songbirds in ornate cages, sharing technique and companionship. The showcase pays homage to this tradition—linking it to SKULLPANDA’s themes of voice, freedom, and community.

It also introduces international visitors to an aspect of heritage that rarely appears in mainstream tourism narratives, aligning with Singapore’s vision to showcase creativity rooted in local identity.

For STB, the collaboration embodies its push toward memorable, contemporary cultural offerings that appeal to younger global travellers. “International collaborations such as the SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase demonstrate Singapore’s dynamism as a location to showcase world-class creativity rooted in our own distinctive destination identity. By fostering connections between local museums and global creative leaders such as POP MART, we’re delivering unique experiences that visitors cannot find anywhere else,” said Mr. Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Marketing Group), Singapore Tourism Board. “This tripartite partnership exemplifies our Tourism 2040 vision of building an attractive destination where history and contemporary culture intersect meaningfully, creating the memorable and transformative experiences that today’s Gen Z and Millennial travellers seek.”

SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase runs from 12th December 2025 to 22nd February 2026 at the National Museum of Singapore. Early All Access ticket holders (12–16 December) will receive priority entry and first picks of exclusive merchandise, available only after completing the exhibition visit. A special SKULLPANDA gift awaits the first 4,500 visitors.

More details on merchandise and programming will be released closer to the opening. Stay tuned to their website for more information