Share
Add fave
Chat with us on WhatsApp
About the artwork
Singaporean artist Hong Sek Chern is known for painting Singapore's most iconic landmarks, in this case the Clarke Quay area. Clarke Quay was named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second Governor and Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875. Clarke Quay has since undergone several rounds of development, from the centre of trade to an entertainment hub today. Hong is able to capture and integrate various areas of the area into one comprehensive piece that is both singular and yet, complex in its juxtapositions. Her clever representation of the area is able to encapsulate the different layers of its expanse, showcasing the outlines of the building in an architectural sense. Hong's use of ink and rice paper gives the painting an antique, aged look, similar to the ancient Chinese scrolls with drawings of past dynasties. In this effect, Hong renders these landmarks timeless, attributing to the history and culture of Singapore.
About the artist
Hong Sek Chern (b.1967) graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, followed by an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London. Sek Chern’s Chinese ink interpretations of the Singapore urban landscape have won her several awards, including the 26th UOB Painting of the Year Grand Prize. She was recipient of the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council and was selected to represent Singapore at the 25th Sao Paolo Biennale. Her works are part of several institutions and prestigious collections, including Singapore Art Museum, Taipei Fine Art Museum, and the National Arts Council (Singapore)