LOT 41
TIONG TIAN TONG
B. Singapore, 1961
Singapore River
Watercolour on paper
36 x 54 cm
Signed “TTTiong” and titled “S’pore River” on lower right
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Canada
RM 2,500 – 3,000
A celebrated chronicler of Singapore’s rapidly changing urban landscape, Tiong Tian Tong has devoted much of his artistic career to capturing the city’s architectural heritage and historic quarters before they disappeared beneath modern development. Best known for his atmospheric watercolours executed en plein air, his works balance architectural precision with a gentle lyricism, preserving the spirit and nostalgia of old Singapore. Tiong later furthered his studies in oil painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing under a National Arts Council scholarship, and his works are held in numerous public collections, including the Singapore Art Museum, National Museum of Singapore, the Istana and Singtel Art Collection. In Singapore River, Tiong revisits one of the nation’s most iconic waterways, where rows of bumboats rest quietly against a backdrop of historic shophouses and an emerging modern skyline. Rendered in his signature translucent washes, the composition evokes the tranquil charm of the river before its transformation into the vibrant commercial precinct it is today. Soft, muted tones and diffused light imbue the scene with an air of nostalgia, while the careful interplay between the traditional bumboats and contemporary high rises reflects Singapore’s enduring dialogue between heritage and progress.
A poignant tribute to one of Singapore’s most cherished landmarks, this watercolour exemplifies Tiong Tian Tong’s ability to transform familiar cityscapes into timeless visual records, making his works both aesthetically compelling and historically significant.