Life on the Bumboats

Type

Painting, Ink and colour on paper, 64x68cm (81.5x88cm), 1983

Artist

Phua Cheng Phue (1934- 2004), Singapore

Location

Somerset Liang Court Level 1, Lobby, Singapore

This ink and brush painting of Singapore artist Phua Cheng Phue was specially selected to be displayed at the lobby of Somerset Liang Court because of the proximity of this property to the Singapore River.  Drawn in the 1980s, it brings us back to the days when the river was teeming with bumboats that carried goods from the ships at sea to the godowns by the quayside.  Relish the many details of this fine work – sacks of rice, labourers, lorries, shophouses, and the Elgin Bridge - and travel back in time.