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This captivating work by Lim Tze Peng showcases the bustling life along the Singapore River, where tongkangs—traditional wooden cargo boats—anchor together in rhythmic clusters. Their rounded hulls, painted in vibrant reds, greens, and earthy tones, dominate the foreground, a striking visual reminder of the vessels that once formed the backbone of Singapore’s trading lifeline. Covered with tarpaulins, the boats carry daily goods and essentials, narrating a story of commerce, survival, and the river’s indispensable role in shaping the nation’s growth.

Behind the river scene, rows of shophouses with terracotta roofs and weathered facades frame the composition. Trucks and figures appear in the distance, bridging the water-based and land-based economies of early Singapore. The dynamic sky, infused with golden and amber hues, evokes both the heat of tropical afternoons and the warmth of nostalgia.

For collectors, this piece is a quintessential Lim Tze Peng masterpiece—balancing vibrant expressionism with documentary authenticity. It immortalizes a river teeming with activity while simultaneously preserving a chapter of Singapore’s vanishing past.