POP MART's Skullpanda Cage-Uncage showcase makes international debut in SG

POP MART is bringing its "SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE" showcase to Singapore, in collaboration with the National Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The immersive exhibition, which explores the artistry and narrative behind the collectible character SKULLPANDA, will run from 12 December 2025 to 22 February 2026, marking its international debut after a successful first run in Shanghai.

The Singapore edition is the first SKULLPANDA showcase in the city-state and the result of a first-of-its-kind tripartite partnership between POP MART, STB, and the National Museum.

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The collaboration highlights the storytelling potential of collectibles while positioning Singapore as a destination for culturally distinctive experiences. A Singapore-exclusive installation draws inspiration from the local bird singing pastime, offering a unique, locally rooted dimension to the showcase.

Created in collaboration with Chinese artist Xiong Miao, founder of North Studio and creator of SKULLPANDA in 2018, the showcase transforms collectibles into a medium for artistic reflection. Drawing on Xiong Miao’s background in game concept design, the exhibition invites visitors to consider themes of choice and uncertainty through six central motifs: emotion, fortune, rules, exploration, life, and direction.

The Singapore-exclusive section of the exhibition draws on the bird singing hobby, a traditional pastime, introducing international visitors to a lesser-known facet of local heritage while echoing the communal appeal of collectibles.

Visitors can expect larger-than-life sculptures, interactive installations, and immersive environments where everyday objects such as door frames, locks, and keys are transformed into symbols prompting reflection on confinement, freedom, and self-discovery.

A POP MART pop-up store will also be open at the museum’s Longer Concourse for the general public.

“The SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase represents our commitment to supporting artists such as Xiong Miao in exploring deeper themes through collectible design. We're delighted to bring the showcase to Singapore, allowing us to share with a wider audience the vision of SKULLPANDA not just as a beloved character, but as a vehicle for meaningful reflection on the human experience," said Justin Moon, senior vice president and chief operating officer at POP MART.

The showcase builds on the National Museum’s previous collaboration with POP MART in 2024’s "Play:Date – Unlocking cabinets of play", deepening its engagement with Singapore’s contemporary culture through collectible phenomena.

“As the people’s museum, we are excited to host the 'SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE' showcase. Our commitment to examining contemporary Singapore means engaging with cultural movements such as collectible culture, allowing us to connect with diverse audiences and provide new pathways to deeper museum experiences," Chung May Khuen, director of the National Museum of Singapore said. 

Kenneth Lim, assistant chief executive, marketing, STB added: “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 identity. This partnership exemplifies our Tourism 2040 vision of building a destination where history and contemporary culture intersect, creating the memorable and transformative experiences that Gen Z and Millennial travellers seek." 

This follows POP MART’s POP LAND first overseas pop-up in Singapore in October which showcased pastel-themed collectibles, photo-ready installations, and popular characters such as MOKOKO, targeting social media engagement and local fans.

Meanwhile, STB has also ramped up efforts to attract Gen Z and millennial travellers through branded entertainment. Its latest collaboration with Chinese artist Xin Liu for her single Passion was filmed across four of Singapore’s iconic locations – the Asian Civilisations Museum, Jurong Lake Gardens, Clarke Quay, and Haji Lane – highlighting reflective, urban, and natural settings. The project underscores STB’s strategy of offering unique, immersive experiences that appeal to younger travellers.

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