The Last Emperor
H120xW70cm
Acrylic Painting, Silkscreen Printing, Silk Applique & Stitchwork on Canvas
The Shophouse artwork is reflective of Singapore culture and heritage. Shophouse buildings can be found all over the island. These stately buildings are a wonderful expression of the blending of a work and living space. Shophouse ornamentation draws inspiration from Malay, Chinese, European and Peranakan traditions. Painting the facade pastel colours became popular in the mid 20th century, and these colours have remained strongly associated with the image of the Singaporean Shophouse.
In Chinese culture, the dragon represents ambition and good fortune. It was also used as the emblem of the emperor to symbolise his imperial power and strength.
The Shophouse featured in this artwork is located at Koon Seng Road, Joo Chiat, Singapore.