
This evocative painting by Lim Tze Peng depicts tongkangs sailing gracefully along the Singapore River towards Coleman Bridge, with the shophouses of Clarke Quay forming the picturesque backdrop. The artist’s bold ink strokes and delicate washes of color capture both the solidity of the tongkangs and the fluidity of the river, creating a harmonious dialogue between movement and stillness. This work is not merely a visual record but a poetic reflection of Singapore’s maritime heritage, where trade, labor, and community life once converged at the heart of the city. For collectors, it offers a rare glimpse into the vanishing riverine landscape that shaped modern Singapore’s early history.
Singapore River
IMG_529859
Chinese Ink and Colour on Rice Paper
2022
