Zhu Hong, Keong Saik Road, 2019
Oil on canvas
90 x 70 (visible), 92 x 112 x 6 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good
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I like the colour and vibrancy of the piece, Zhu Hong conveys the bustle of the Keong Saik area without depicting any actual activity or people.
I appreciate how he chose to emphasise the contrast between heritage and modernity by painting shophouse fronts and the Chinese temple in the foreground with the monolithic Pinnacle@Duxton (the seven towers are collectively the world's tallest public residential buildings) looming in the background.
He also depicts the front and back of buildings along Keong Saik road, I find that helps give some breathing space to an otherwise frenetic piece.
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Zhu Hong (Chinese, b. 1969) is a Singapore-based artist celebrated for his vibrant depictions of urban life, particularly the architectural landscapes of Singapore. Trained as an architect, Zhu relocated to Singapore in 1997 and transitioned to a full-time art career in 2011. His background in architecture profoundly influences his artistic style, characterized by expressive brushstrokes, dynamic angles, and a vivid color palette that captures the spirit of the cityscape.
Beyond his artistic practice, Zhu is actively involved in Singapore's art community. He serves as an adjunct lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, teaching visual art to students in high-tech media studies. He is also a member of the Singapore Watercolour Society and contributes to the Federation of Art Societies.
(Photographed in September 2023)