River Traders
H105 x W196.5 cm
Acrylic Painting, Silkscreen Printing, Flocking, Foiling, Fabric Applique & Stitchwork on Canvas
This artwork features a scene of modern-day Boat Quay, a historical quay in Singapore; situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River. Today in Boat Quay, you can find quaint old Shophouses converted into restaurants and more modern skyscrapers towering in the background.
However in the waters of this artwork, instead of reflecting the present buildings, we are looking back to the past; the early days of Singapore. Different activities were taking place at the river- fishing (fishing nets, fish and crustaceans) and sea trade (map, compasses, spices, tea, porcelain).
Other elements showing the early days of Singapore - The blue text in the waters are sections taken from the Raffles Treaty. The text in the bottom left corner is taken from the Jackson Plan or the Raffles Town Map– a map drafted to plan the urban development of early Singapore.
This piece celebrates the bustling heartbeat of the city - the activities that happened along the river, then and now.