Please enjoy another of my artworks featuring life in an ancient water village. The title of the painting on the tiered top of the characteristic “Horsehead style” wall (right lower corner of the painting) says: 《Small Bridges, Running Water, Homes by the Streams 》. The decorative tiers at the uppermost part of the walls appear like horses’ heads and account for the given name. Such walls are often included in closely built houses at mountain and water villages to prevent fire from spreading in the event of a fire.
Painted on the 5th Lunar month during the “Dumpling Festival,” the artwork shows the following activities taking place: a man walking out of a door heading for work, an old man lying on a lazy chair reading the newspaper, a man weaving rattan baskets as handicraft work for sale, a teahouse staff pushing a cart bringing food for three seated guests while one is just leaving, two persons washing clothes at the steps leading into the river, three person seated close to the edge of the river bank selling fruits and vegetables in large bamboo baskets, two persons crossing a high stone bridge at a distance, and two persons carrying bags of cereal on their backs walking up steps from their boat anchored at the river. A trellis is built over the anchoring steps where loofah creeper plants are grown to provide shade for the area and gourds for food. Four boats are busy ferrying people and goods. In early summertime, the water village is surrounded by greeneries and trees.
Tan It Koon
Before retirement, Dr Tan It Koon was, among many appointments, Head of Clinical Biochemistry at SGH’s Dept of Pathology. He was the Deputy Chairman of the National Theatre Trust and Chairman for Grants and Scholarships of the Spore Cultural Foundation. He received the National Day Awards, PBM, and PPA, for his contribution to cultural and community development and excellence in Public Administration.
