Hua Chai Yong, Untitled (Boat Quay, Singapore River), 1981

Watercolour on paper
51 x 70 cm (visible), 70.5 x 91 x 2 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good

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Hua Chai Yong (Singaporean, 1943–2018) studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 1963 to 1964 and participated in numerous group exhibitions across Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In recognition of his artistic achievements, he received the Special Award at the National Day Art Exhibition in 1979, presented by the Ministry of Culture. He later won the UOB Painting of the Year Competition in 1983, 1986, and 1992.

Hua was known for his distinctive flat-brush technique, which infused his works with a sense of movement and vitality. His sketchy yet expressive brushstrokes captured the emotional essence of his subjects, even in moments of stillness.

Painted during the redevelopment of the Singapore River, one of Hua’s notable works likely depicts some of the last boats clustered around Boat Quay. Stark white dominates their forms, evoking a sense of erasure and reflecting their impending disappearance. Only fragments remain in colour, prompting the viewer to wonder: where are the rest of the boats? The answer lies in what we see today—Boat Quay, now devoid of these vessels, except for the tourists aboard the Singapore River Cruise. Through this painting, Hua not only documents a vanishing reality but also invites contemplation on Singapore’s relentless urban transformation.

(Photographed in February 2025)