Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

There has been a slow, but steady, renewed interest in the medium of watercolor. Singaporean watercolor artist Ong Kim Seng was recently named one of the Top 25 Watercolour Artists in the World at the Watercolour Festival in Greece; he also most recently presented 25 works at The Arts House in August. Over at the National Gallery, the resident exhibition houses 60 works from pioneer watercolor artist Lim Cheng Hoe. While the artist passed in 1979, his deftly painted landscapes of Singapore from the 1930s to the 1970s live on.

Like his contemporaries, watercolor artist (Harry) Chin Chun Wah was an early talent in the arts scene. Born in 1941, the Singaporean artist became a founding member of the Singapore Watercolour Society at age 28, in 1969. He would go on to lead several local art groups, all while perfecting his distinct style of sketches in pen and wash—a painting technique using marker pens and watercolors. In 1977 however, he left the painting scene to become an advertising manager at Far East Organization; but he never stopped painting.

Now, 43 years later, he’s made an official return to the scene—starting with a new exhibition at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. Capturing Moments showcases 22 stunning watercolor paintings depicting the nostalgic sights of 1970s Singapore, along with iconic scenes around the region inspired by Chin’s travels. From rickety fishing villages in Selangor to the serene temples of Bali, to the one and only river that brings us life, Chin’s light, deft strokes convey a sense of heart that photography cannot always claim to do. If you’re looking for a heady dose of nostalgia, the exhibition runs from now through Oct 30. See some of his works below.

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore

, 77-year-old watercolor artist returns to the scene with paintings of 1970s Singapore


Capturing Moments runs from now through Oct 30 at the East Garden Foyer of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. Admission is free.