Timeless Flows Exhibition : The Legacy and Evolution of the Singapore River

This evocative exhibition features nine artworks inspired by The Singapore River: A

Social History, 1819–2002 by Professor Stephen Dobbs. Through these visual

narratives, the exhibition traces the lifeblood of a nation—Singapore’s historic

river—from its colonial origins to its modern-day transformation.

Dobbs’ seminal work highlights the Singapore River’s vital role in the British colonial

era, serving as a conduit for trade, migration, and dreams of prosperity. Central to

this bustling artery were the lightermen—stoic figures who ferried goods between

ship and shore, whose labour powered Singapore’s port economy. The book also

chronicles the river’s metamorphosis: once congested and polluted, it was later

cleansed and reshaped into a gleaming urban centrepiece, flanked by skyscrapers,

finance houses, and entertainment districts. This transformation marked the quiet

end of the lighterage industry, giving way to a new era of containerization and the

rise of PSA’s modern port facilities.

In a poignant reflection, Professor Dobbs writes:

“The river’s contribution to the economic expectations of government planners,

futurists and developers are fully realised. It remains to be seen, however, whether

or not younger Singaporeans will find along the river a connection between the past

and present.”

This very question inspired Dr. Kay Kok to reimagine the book as a visual tale.

Through two fictional characters—Ah Huat and Wei Wei—she weaves a story that

spans from the 1940s to the present, exploring the enduring spirit of the river. The

narrative unfolds across time, depicting the shifting roles of the lighters, the evolving

activities along the waterfront, the decline of the lighterage trade, and the uncertain

yet hopeful future of the Singapore River.

Timeless Flows is not only an homage to history—it is an invitation to remember, to

imagine, and to rediscover the river that shaped a city.

Disclaimer:

The characters "Ah huat" and "Wei Wei" depicted in these paintings are entirely fictional.

Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental. These names

are not intended to represent or reference any actual individuals, past or present.

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