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This vibrant work by Lim Tze Peng captures the enduring spirit of Singapore’s Singapore River trade, where tongkangs and bumboats once carried the lifeblood of the city. Rendered in bold brushstrokes and radiant colors, the composition features two prominent bumboats in the foreground, their distinctive red prows and painted eyes immediately commanding attention. Laden with goods, these vessels symbolize the industrious rhythm of a bygone era, when river commerce was central to daily life.

In the background, a row of shophouses stretches across the horizon, their weathered façades painted in warm earth tones of ochre, sienna, and cream. Smaller boats, scattered along the riverbank, emphasize the busy flow of trade, while the glowing sky in golden yellows and fiery oranges suffuses the scene with nostalgia and vitality.

As with much of Lim’s oeuvre, this painting is more than documentary—it is an evocation of memory and emotion. Collectors will appreciate the piece not only for its striking color harmonies and dynamic brushwork, but also for its historical resonance. It immortalizes a cultural landscape that has largely disappeared, transforming an ordinary river scene into a poetic tribute to Singapore’s heritage of perseverance and community.