Ong Kim Seng, Untitled (Street Scene), 1979

This Watercolour on paper 
50 x 70 cm (visible), 83.5 x 104 x 4 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with foxing throughout
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Ong Kim Seng (Singaporean, b. 1945) is one of Singapore’s most celebrated watercolourists, renowned for his masterful ability to capture light, atmosphere, and a deep sense of place. A largely self-taught artist, Ong’s works document landscapes both local and abroad, reflecting a sensitivity to fleeting moments and everyday life.

He is a six-time winner of the prestigious American Watercolor Society awards and has exhibited widely across Asia, Europe, and the United States. His paintings are held in major collections, including the National Gallery Singapore and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside numerous private collections around the world. 

His style — luminous, detailed, and richly atmospheric — honours the cultures and environments he portrays, bridging traditional watercolour techniques with a contemporary appreciation for memory and observation.

Amidst colonial-era shophouses, colourful umbrellas, and baskets strewn haphazardly across the ground, this scene unmistakably captures the bustle of Southeast Asian street life. Painted in 1979, the work offers a glimpse of a rapidly growing Singapore—one far removed from the polished cityscape we know today. The warm, sun-drenched palette evokes a sense of nostalgia, grounding the viewer in a moment that feels both distant and deeply familiar.