In Singapore River, Ong Kok Peng revives the bustling vitality of the nation’s historic waterway. Once the commercial heart of Singapore, the river was a lifeline of trade, where bumboats laden with goods ferried produce, spices, and essentials to and from the bustling shophouses along its banks.

Rendered in rich, textured acrylic strokes, Ong’s painting captures this energy with remarkable immediacy. The river shimmers in hues of jade and turquoise, alive with movement. Bumboats crowd the foreground, their arched canopies filled with earthen jars and trade goods, while smaller boats ripple across the water, guided by lone boatmen. In the backdrop, the familiar silhouettes of shophouses with red-tiled roofs rise proudly against the faint outlines of skyscrapers — a juxtaposition that reflects Singapore’s layered identity, where tradition coexists with modernity.

More than a record of place, Singapore River is a tribute to memory and heritage. Through his art, Ong Kok Peng reanimates the stories of a bygone era, reminding us that Singapore’s global cityscape was built upon the sweat and toil of river life. His work bridges past and present, celebrating not only the transformation of the landscape but also the enduring soul of its people.