LOT 70
ONG KIM SENG
B. Singapore, 1945
Temple Street – Chinatown, Singapore 1978
Watercolour on paper
50 x 71 cm
Private Collection, Australia
Signed and dated on lower left
RM 15,000 – 32,000
The abundantly awarded watercolourist, Ong Kim Seng has spent over 30 years capturing Singapore’s vibrant city on canvas, spanning its river and quaint town — Chinatown to be specific. The artist, whose paintings include Singapore River, Heritage Shophouses, Chinatown and more, regularly grace the walls of KL Lifestyle Art Space and featured in its auctions, are much sought after by art connoisseurs. Pairing Kim Seng’s artistic prowess and his niche of manipulating light in works, viewers are brought back to the simple days of yesteryear, evoking nostalgia and memories for Singaporeans who have been to the place.
“This painting is of North Boat Quay, Singapore. Now, the houses have been demolished to make way for the present Central Mall where you find the restaurants, fashion shops and supermarkets! During the ‘70’s when I painted this painting, there were godowns and wholesale dry goods shops catering for the provision shops in Singapore”. – Ong Kim Seng