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Loy Chye Chuan

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You are here: Home / Old Buildings of Singapore Watercolour Paintings | Loy Chye Chuan

Old Buildings of Singapore Watercolour Paintings | Loy Chye Chuan

These old building watercolour paintings were done on Singapore scenes captured at various locations mainly at Chinatown and other streets such as Circular Road, Mohamed Sultan Road, Ann Siang Hill, Carpenter Street and Joo Chiat Road. Some of these buildings and streets like Cheong Hong Lim Street and Hallpike Street are no longer around. I find these old buildings important and are significant in our lives as it has historical values and it forms a part of Singapore developing years. 

 

1962 Post Office At Hong Lim Park

Post Office at Hong Lim Park, 1962

My early days of painting are mostly done outdoor and can be seen that the strokes are broad and done quickly.

Construction Of Singapore Chinese Chamber Of Commerce And Industry

Construction of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1964

Painted in 1964, this is the construction of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry when it reached the upper storey. In 1963, I’ve also painted the same building when the construction stage was at the second storey. That painting was collected by the National Gallery Singapore. The view of this building was painted from the old site of the Embassy of the United States, Singapore.

Cheong Hong Lim, 1968

1968 Cheong Hong Lim
1968 Cheong Hong Lim
Map Of Singapore 1960S
Source: Onemap.gov.sg

Cheong Hong Lim Street was located near Pekin Street, this street no longer exists. This map was in the 1960s. Source of the map from onemap.gov.sg.

1982 Street Scene At Chinatown Singapore

1982 this is a street scene in Chinatown along Trengganu Street where many hawkers peddle their produce along the street. Presently, Trengganu Street has transformed into a pedestrian mall for tourists and visitors.

1989 Alley In Chinatown Singapore

An Alley at Chinatown Singapore, 1989

These back alleys at Chinatown were often bustling with activities and I enjoy painting those scene. When I paint, I try to bring as much details to the painting, the light the shadows, the bicycles, crates, windows, broken awnings and etc. The effort to paint the details brings life to the paintings.

1992 A Corner At Smith Street, Chinatown Singapore

A Corner of Smith Street at Chinatown Singapore, 1992

Img 3554
A Photo Of Smith Street Taken By Loy Chye Chuan

The focus of the main building will remain in the painting. I will add on other details of the street scene such as the tentage, passer by, clothes hanging on bamboo poles and a little blurry effect that I think will enhance the charm of this corner view of Smith Street at Chinatown.

1996 Circular Road

Circular Road, 1996

This painting was awarded the Pro Arte Awards 2006 by “the artist and LeisurePainter Patchings Open 2006”

Is it a view from a corner of Circular Road coming from North Canal Road towards UOB Plaza and OCBC Centre. A busy street scene with two rows of shophouses and motor vehicles parked along the roadside. At the corner is a shop selling electrical goods.

1998 Shop Selling Rattan At Beach Road

Shop Selling Rattan at Arab Street Near Beach Road Singapore, 1998

2001 Mohamed Sultan Road

Mohamed Sultan Road, 2001

Mohamed Sultan Road was given its official name in 1898. In the past, the street was lined up with shophouses, factories and warehouses. A man with a tricycle can be seen near the staircase, waiting for goods to be loaded so that he can go round peddling his goods. This place has since transformed into a popular nightspot with a good mix of chic restaurants and pubs. More information on Mohamed Sultan Road can be found here.

2004 Ann Siang Hill 1

Ann Siang Hill, 2004

This painting was featured in International Artist issue 45 October/November 2005 issue. The International Artist feature many beautiful paintings from artist around the world.

This is a painting of a shophouse located in Ann Siang Hill. This street is situated along Chinatown, flaunting its array of refurbished shophouses.

2009 Abandoned Building At Joo Chiat Road

Abandoned Building at Joo Chiat Road, 2009.

Though these buildings were abandoned, I found interest in painting them when the walls shows cracks with exposed bricks and peeling paints, plants growing in between the cracks bring some sort of charm which we hardly see in the modern buildings.

Old Building At Carpentry Road 1995

Old Building at Carpenter Street

Img 3555
A Photo At The Back Of A Building At Carpenter Street

Some changes were made to this painting by adding activities back doors and people working around it. The exposed bricks and the configuration of the building structure exhibit something that we don’t often see today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar Of CliffCliff says

    March 7, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    Hi, I vaguely remember seeing a painting of old buildings along Cheong Hong Lim Street by Mr. Loy. Just wondering if he still has the painting and how much is he selling it for?

    Reply
    • Avatar Of NicoleNicole says

      March 8, 2021 at 4:57 am

      Hi Clifford, yes he still has the painting of Cheong Hong Lim Street. Would you like to visit his studio at Lor J Telok Kurau to view the painting?

      Reply
      • Avatar Of Clifford ChuaClifford Chua says

        March 17, 2021 at 3:16 am

        Yes, I would love to. Can I come this Friday? What is a good time?

        Reply
      • Avatar Of CliffCliff says

        March 17, 2021 at 8:06 am

        Great….is this Friday convenient? What time is good.

        Reply
        • Avatar Of NicoleNicole says

          March 17, 2021 at 9:07 am

          Hi, yes this Friday 2pm-6pm, Mr Loy will be in his studio.
          I’ve sent the details to your email. Thank you.

          Reply
          • Avatar Of CliffCliff says

            March 18, 2021 at 2:38 am

            Thanks. I have received it. See you there.

      • Avatar Of CliffordClifford says

        March 18, 2021 at 2:40 am

        I have received the message. Thanks. See you there.

        Reply

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