The area of Kampong Glam in Singapore is more than meets the eye. Beneath the shops and restaurants lies centuries worth of history. Bussorah Street (that you see in this painting) was originally called “Sultan Road” and renamed in 1910 after a place in present-day Iraq. It was here that Muslims travelling on the Hajj to Mecca would congregate, as their sailing ships departed from Singapore on the journey to Jeddah. Today the street is a popular destination amongst locals and tourists for the famous lively restaurants, shops and the Sultan Mosque. This watercolour painting is an evening scene of the Bussorah Street, the evening sky sets the atmosphere, the lights convey the vibrant nature of the street, the shophouses and restaurants are of course the highlights and the Sultan Mosque completes the background.

“Black and White Houses were built from 1898 to 1941 by the British colonial government to house their high ranking military officers and civil servants. What I love about these houses is that they are a fusion of three different cultures: Indian, Malay, and English. You can see the Indian influence in the white-washed walls. This white coating was invented by the Indians in Madras. It reflects the sunlight, keeping the structures cool, making it very suitable for the steamy weather of Singapore.
Malay features – the bungalows are built on pillars to keep the wildlife like snakes out of the house and to keep the interior from flooding.
Lastly, the dark wooden beams and trim on the second level come from mock British Tudor architectural style.”

Lau Pa Sat, also known as Telok Ayer Market, was first built in 1824 as a fish market on the waterfront. It was then relocated and rebuilt at the present location in 1894. It is currently a famous gourmet paradise with stalls selling a variety of authentic local and international cuisines. The market’s distinctive octagonal shape and ornamental columns were first conceived by George Coleman, a prominent Irish architect. A graceful clock tower and a new cast-iron supporting structure was added later. The frames were cast in Glasgow before being shipped to and assembled in Singapore.  Lau Pa Sat blends history, striking architecture and scrumptious local food into one heady experience. So sip an ice-cold beer and enjoy a plate of Hainanese chicken rice as you revel in the elegant old-world charm of Singapore’s LOVELIEST food court. Recreate some of your special memories of the place, bring home this painting!