Singapore River Art

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ART BY THE RIVER

T
he founder of modern Singapore, Sir PEOPLE OF THE RIVER series
-
Stamford Raffles, is memorialised as FIRST GENERATION BY CHONG FAH CHONG

a statue beside Empress Place, at a
site believed to be his original landing spot
on the riverbank. This statue of Raffles was
cast in 1972 and is a polymarble replica of an
earlier bronze sculpture by Thomas Woolner
that now stands before Victoria Theatre and
Concert Hall.
1972
Across Cavenagh Bridge, in the direction of

the Fullerton Building, one will find a charming
sculpture by local sculptor and Cultural
Medallion Winner Chong Fah Chong (b. 1946)
on the left side of the bridge, which recreates
the once-common scene of young boys leaping
with carefree abandon into the river.
THE RIVER MERCHANTS BY AW TEE HONG
Polymarble replica of the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles

sculpted by Thomas Woolner, located at his approximate
landing spot, 2016
Raffles is, however, not the only pioneer to

have a statue in his honour by the riverbank. On
both sides of the river, visitors will find People
of the River, a series of specially commissioned,
larger-than-life sculptures in bronze by the On the south bank, in front of Maybank
Singapore Tourism Board, which celebrate the Tower, artist Aw Tee Hong (b. 1932) created
countless individuals who toiled and traded to a sculpture depicting Scotsman Alexander
build the city as well as vanished facets of life Laurie Johnston in conversation with a Chinese
by the river. trader and a Malay chief. Nearby, coolies load
73
goods onto a bullock cart. This artwork marks This claim is disputed, however, as purebred
the spot where Johnston, who arrived in Kucinta cats bear little resemblance to the
Singapore in 1819 or 1820 and left in 1841, once strays that roam local streets and which come
had his house and godowns until the premises in all sizes and colours.
were demolished in 1848.
BIRD BY FERNANDO BOTERO
FISHING AT SINGAPORE RIVER
BY CHERN LIAN SHAN
Upstream from The River Merchants, before

the UOB Plaza, is a bronze artwork in a form
At the northern end of Boat Quay, between of a large, rotund bird. Made by Colombian
Elgin Bridge and Coleman Bridge, is a snapshot artist Fernando Botero (b. 1932) in his typically
from the past, cast in bronze by Chern Lian sensual, voluminous style, Bird symbolises the
Shan (b. 1953). A schoolboy, clad in a singlet desire for peace, serenity, joy and optimism.
and shorts, contemplates the waters below
him, rod in hand, while a faithful dog sleeps by HOMAGE TO NEWTON BY SALVADOR DALI
his side. Fishing was once a popular activity but
by the 1970s, pollution had turned the river into
a lifeless waterway. Only after the river was
cleaned up in the 1980s did aquatic life return.
KUCINTA CATS
Located at the UOB Plaza, there is another

On the south end of Cavenagh Bridge, tucked bronze artwork by surrealist artist Salvador
in a corner near its base, is a trio of bronze cats Dali (1904-1989) entitled Homage to Newton.
known as Kucinta, a portmanteau of the Malay The artwork pays tribute to the 17th century
words for “cat” (kucing) and “love” (cinta). discovery of the law of gravity through a
The Kucinta is a breed of cat said to have its depiction of the legend of Sir Isaac Newton’s
origins in the native drain cats of Singapore. “eureka” moment triggered by a falling apple.
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TRIBUTES TO FAMOUS VISITORS:

FRIENDS TO OUR SHORES
Along the riverbank near Cavenagh Bridge
one will also find “Friends to Our Shores”
markers honouring notable foreign leaders
and personalities who have visited or enjoyed
close links with Singapore. These are installed
by the National Heritage Board.
Joseph Conrad –
Installed outside the
Fullerton Hotel in
2004, this marker
commemorates the
Polish-born writer
Józef Teodor Konrad Jawaharlal Nehru – Unveiled in 2011, this
Korzeniowski (1857- marker commemorates India’s first Prime
1924), whose travels Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), who
to Singapore and made three visits to Singapore and described
Southeast Asia it as a “great cosmopolitan city” where “Asian
inspired classic novels unity is forged”.
such as Lord Jim.
Ho Chi Minh – Unveiled in May 2008, this

marker and bronze bust honours the father of
modern Vietnam, Nguyun Sinh Cung or Ho Chi
Minh (1890-1969), who visited Singapore in
May 1930 and January 1933.
Dr José Rizal
– Installed in
2008, this marker
commemorates
Filipino nationalist
and polymath
José Rizal (1861-
Deng Xiaoping – Mounted in 2010 to 1896), who visited
celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations Singapore five
between Singapore and China, this marker times. He is widely
depicts Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997), who considered to be
launched economic reforms that led to China’s one of the greatest
global prominence and was the first senior heroes of the
leader from China to visit Singapore in 1978. Philippines.

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72

ART BY THE RIVER

Stamford Raffles, is memorialised as FIRST GENERATION BY CHONG FAH CHONG

Across Cavenagh Bridge, in the direction of

THE RIVER MERCHANTS BY AW TEE HONG

Polymarble replica of the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles

Raffles is, however, not the only pioneer to

Upstream from The River Merchants, before

Located at the UOB Plaza, there is another

TRIBUTES TO FAMOUS VISITORS:

Ho Chi Minh – Unveiled in May 2008, this

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