Desire exposed at National Gallery Singapore show

SINGAPORE — The entrance to the exhibition tucked away on Level 4 of the sprawling National Gallery Singapore is closed, its doors covered in what appears to be red tape printed with the exhibition title: “Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art.” It is an effective marketing ploy; when something is prohibited, people often desire it more.

As you open the door to the museum’s first-ever age-restricted exhibition (rated 18), a guide gives you a cursory look to check if you are eligible ...