Biblioasia Oct-Dec 2016.Pdf

Vol.

12 Issue biblioasia03 OCT–DEC 2016 02 / The Art of Tan Swie Hian 17 / Origins of the Financial District 24 / Women Sculptors 30 / Early HDB Flats 44 / The Tiger in Art & Literature 52 / Remembering S R Nathan

Art & Architecture BiblioAsia Director’s Note Editorial & CONTENTS Vol. 12 / Issue 03 OCT–DEC 2016 Production “The world is but a canvas of our imagination” the American poet and writer Henry Managing Editor David Thoreau famously said, and nowhere is this perhaps more evident than in the Francis Dorai art and architecture of a city. The dividing line between art and architecture is often FEATURES Editor blurred – when is a building of visionary design deemed a work of art? – but the Veronica Chee Baring Mind and Soul: creative process of executing a painting or a sculpture, or erecting a building – from 02 Tan Swie Hian architectural plans to its physical construction – are not dissimilar. Editorial Support It is impossible to speak of our art and architectural icons without mentioning Tan Masamah Ahmad Stephanie Pee 悲悯人生: Swie Hian. The virtuoso artist returns to the National Library after a long hiatus to pres- 10 陈瑞献的文艺创作 ent a new solo exhibition of his quintessential works along with his cherished notebooks Design and Print of scribblings and sketches – as Chung Sang Hong tells us. Don’t miss “Anatomy of a Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd Free Mind: Tan Swie Hian’s Notebooks and Creations” on level 10 of the National Library Saving Pearl Bank Building, which opens to the public on 22 November 2016. Contributors 12 Apartments 02 10 Anasuya Soundararajan Still on the subject of art, Nadia Arianna Ramli writes about the community of Chung Sang Hong Singaporean women sculptors who have held their own in an art form that has long As Good As Gold: Gracie Lee been dominated by men. Going beyond the shores of our little island, Patricia Bjaaland Jessie Yak 17 The Making of a Welch examines the tiger motif in Asian art and literature. Justin Zhuang Financial Centre Purpose-built HDB flats, at least the ones from yesteryear, may not have won any Kevin Khoo Lai Chee Kien design awards, but who is to say they are not iconic? You can’t be anywhere except in Lim Tin Seng Soft Hands but Steely Singapore when you see laundry-laden bamboo poles suspended out of kitchen win- Nadia Arianna Ramli 24 Hearts: Women and dows. Yu-Mei Balasingamchow recounts the trials of early public housing in Singapore. Patricia Bjaaland Welch Their Art Pearl Bank apartments in Chinatown, built in 1976 and touted as the “tallest Sri Asrina Tanuri apartment block in Southeast Asia” at the time, is regrettably, a sorry sight today. Yu-Mei Balasingamchow Yet, the architectural icon has sufficient merit to warrant conservation, according to Public Housing, Please direct all 30 Private Lives Justin Zhuang. correspondence to: 17 12 If you’ve ever wondered how Golden Shoe Car Park in Market Street got its quirky National Library Board Time-Honoured name, then read Lim Tin Seng’s article on the history of Singapore’s business district. 100 Victoria Street #14-01 Temple Design Hint: the original area zoned for development took the quirky shape of an upturned National Library Building 36 lady’s shoe. Singapore 188064 Email: [email protected] The Padang: Two colonial-era icons, the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Padang, along with Website: www.nlb.gov.sg 40 Centrepiece of Colonial several of the original buildings surrounding the latter, are still around today. Anasuya Design Soundararajan and Sri Asrina Tanuri describe the architectural details of Singapore’s On the cover: oldest Hindu temple, while Dr Lai Chee Kien explains why and how the Padang became Detail taken from “Knot a symbol of British order and might during the colonial era. of Bliss” (2012), depicting The Tiger Within a pair of crimson goldfish During the Japanese Occupation, Christian POWs erected makeshift churches in with their lips conjoined as 44 their camps with whatever materials they could salvage – testimony of religious fortitude if in a kiss. Oil on canvas, in the face of persecution. Gracie Lee chronicles the architecture of these churches as 139 cm x 206 cm. Collection S R Nathan: 50 Stories featured in the book, The Churches of the Captivity in Malaya. of Tan Swie Hian. 52 from My Life 24 30 To raise awareness of our legal history, a new permanent exhibition, “Law of the Land: Highlights of Singapore’s Constitutional Documents”, opens on 19 October 2016 at the former Chief Justice’s Chamber and Office at the National Gallery Singapore. Kevin Khoo previews a selection of rare materials taken from the collections of the National Archives of Singapore and the National Library. Finally, on a more sombre note, we pay tribute to our much-loved late President S R Nathan, who not only read voraciously but was also the author and co-author of seven books. We honour his memory by featuring two milestone events – how he met his wife Urmila (or Umi as he fondly referred to her) and the Laju hijack incident – from All rights reserved. his book 50 Stories from My Life. National Library Board, We hope you enjoy reading this edition of BiblioAsia. Singapore, 2016. ISSN 0219-8126 (print) 36 40 44 52 ISSN 1793-9968 (online) The views of writers and con- Mrs Wai Yin Pryke tributors do not reflect the views Director of the Publisher. No part of this NL NOTES publication may be reproduced in National Library any form or by any means without prior written permission from the Building Faith: Wartime Publisher and copyright owner(s). 56 Churches in Syonan-to Whilst reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publica- Law of the Land BiblioAsia is a free quarterly publication produced by the National Library Board. It tion, the Publisher accepts no features articles on the history, culture and heritage of Singapore within the larger Asian ­legal liabilities whatsoever for 60 the contents of this magazine. context, and has a strong focus on the collections and services of the National Library. 56 60 BiblioAsia is distributed to local and international libraries, academic institutions, government ministries and agencies, as well as members of the public. The online edition of BiblioAsia can be viewed at: www.nlb.gov.sg/biblioasia/

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Chung Sang Hong is Assistant Director (Exhibitions & Curation) at the National Baring Library, Singapore. He is the lead curator of the “Anatomy of a Free Mind: Tan Swie Hian’s Mind Notebooks and Creations” exhibition. andSoul Tan Swie Hian

After a long absence of 43 years, Singapore’s celebrated (Facing page) Portrait of Tan Swie Hian. Collection of Tan Swie Hian. (Above) Tan Swie Hian’s notebooks offer an inkling into the thought processes he engages in when creat- multi-hyphenate artist returns to the National Library with ing his artworks. These pages show handwritten notes and a sketch of his painting “Ode to Euphrates­ a new solo exhibition. Chung Sang Hong tells you more. Poplar”. Donated by Tan Swie Hian. Collection of National Library, Singapore.

Journaling has been used by great artists and writings, they are a window to Tan’s Singapore’s Renaissance Man since time immemorial. Michelangelo’s formidable mind, which he describes as notebooks are not only a priceless archive an “immense web with myriads of beings Tan Swie Hian was born in Indonesia in j 3 of his creative inspirations but also offer hanging.” The exhibition aims to draw 1943 and moved to Singapore when he a rare glimpse into his private life. From people into the unfettered mind and soul was three. While as a student at the Chi- snippets of poetry, random doodles and of the artist, and reveal how his ideas, nese High School, Tan already displayed ethereal drawings to memos and prac- passions, philosophical insights and his prodigious talents in art, calligraphy tical listings of food and expenses, the spiritual enlightenment are manifested and poetry. He later pursued a degree notebooks cast a light into the Italian through his artistic and literary creations. in Modern Languages and Literature master’s inner world; the connections Tan refers to his notebooks as at Nanyang University, graduating in and juxtapositions of words and images his “secret garden”, and he is thus the 1968. In the same year he published his divulge the thinking and creative pro- diligent and disciplined “gardener” who first anthology, The Giant – a collection cesses behind his works.1 painstakingly and lovingly cultivates and of Chinese modernist poetry – a land- That same deep introspection, an nurtures the seedlings of inspiration. mark work that earned him recognition intimate baring of the mind and soul as it So intrinsically important are these as a poet of standing.5 Since then, Tan were, is similarly revealed in the private notebooks that Tan considers them as has published close to 40 collections of notebooks of Tan Swie Hian, whom Time his “companions in life”: they never poetry, essays, novels, fables, critiques magazine proclaimed in 2003 as “Sin- leave his side – they are stashed into and translated works. gapore’s Renaissance man”.2 For those his briefcase, they clutter his desk and The year 1973 was a turning point in who are familiar with the works of Tan, even his bedside. Tan’s life: he received spiritual illumina- this epithet is a justifiably fitting tribute. The pages are filled from cover to tion for the first time and deepened his Now for the first time, the National cover, with almost every square inch faith in Buddhism. After this metaphysical Library, Singapore, presents the of space used for his creative musings awakening, Tan channeled his creative acclaimed artist’s never-before-pub- – sketches of visions from his medita- energies into the visual arts and took lished notebooks as well as his celebrated­ tions, drawings of his inner and outer the path towards becoming an artist, works of art and writings in an exhibition realities, poetry verses, revisited memo- expressing himself through different entitled “Anatomy of a Free Mind: Tan ries, reflections on his latest creations, media and genres. As a deeply religious Swie Hian’s Notebooks and Creations”. To annotations of ancient classical texts he person, the tenets of Buddhist teachings be showcased at level 10 of the National has read, and more.4 are apparent in many of his works, which Library Building, the exhibition opens its To Tan, the notebooks serve the often depict the spiritual insights and doors to the public on 22 November 2016. important purpose of documentation visions gleaned from his meditations. The notebooks, which Tan has since and reference – as a cerebral artist he As a polymath, Tan has a natural donated to the National Library, are writes before, during or after the execu- affinity for languages – he is proficient key to understanding the psyche and tion of his works – and to the interested in Mandarin, English, French and Malay creative thinking of this much-lauded observer, they offer rare vistas of the – and is widely read, being well versed artist. Containing sketches, drawings artist’s creative mindscape. in both Eastern and Western philosophic

02 03 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature traditions. His creations are therefore derstanding. And in 2006, he received the More recently in May 2016, a set of (Left) "Graffitied Portrait of Charlie Chaplin" (2013). Ink and acrylic on rice paper, 226 cm x 105.4 cm. Collec- enriched by diverse cultural influences. Officier de l’Ordre National de la Legion six lithographed sketches done by former tion of Tan Swie Hian. Although deeply steeped in Chinese artis- d’Honneur (Officer in the National Order South African president Nelson Mandela (Below) “A Couple” (2014). Oil, acrylic and ink on canvas, 213.5 cm x 339 cm. Collection of Tan Swie Hian. tic traditions, Tan straddles the visual of the Legion of Honour) medal – France's – someone whom Tan greatly admires – languages of the East and the West, freely highest honour for individuals who have and painted over by the artist was sold for fusing and experimenting with different distinguished themselves in civilian or HK$3.52 million (S$630,000), the highest- art forms in his work. military life. paid piece at an auction in Hong Kong. Time and again, Tan's paintings have The images depict the hands and arms of 9 A String of Awards and Accolades made headline news as they set record Mandela breaking free from manacles. prices in art auctions.6 In December Tan has won a string of prestigious 2012, his oil and acrylic work, “When the Anatomy of a Free Mind: The Exhibition awards both locally – including the Moon is Orbed”, fetched an astounding Cultural Medallion in 1987, and the RMB18.975 million (S$3.7 million) at a The works presented in “Anatomy of a Meritorious Service Medal in 2003 for Beijing art auction.7 Barely two years later, Free Mind: Tan Swie Hian’s Notebooks his contributions to Singapore culture – his ink-on-rice-paper painting, “Portrait and Creations” reflect the full depth and and internationally. In 2003, the World of Bada Shanren”, went under the gavel for diversity of Tan’s creative expressions. Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a record RMB20.7 million (S$4.4 million) Representing a considerable part of Tan’s conferred on Tan the Crystal Award for in Beijing.8 With this sale, Tan has clearly oeuvre, the exhibition features paintings, his outstanding artistic achievements made his name as the most expensive sculptures, public art, calligraphy, seal and contribution to cross-cultural un- living artist in Southeast Asia. carvings, photographs, lithographs, mul-

“The Nelson Mandela Unity Series” (2004). Acrylic, ink and pencil on monochrome lithos, 131 cm x 150 cm. Collection of Julien La Chon.

personalities – in art, literature, politics spiritual and philosophical enlighten- and other fields – whom he admires. In ment. While meditating one day in Sep- this exhibition, portraits and works paying tember 2009, Tan had a vision in which tribute to some of these luminaries can he saw the full moon hovering above the be seen: these include Pablo Picasso, parted foliage of a tree reflected onto a Leonor Fini, Bada Shanren (八大山人), still blue pond. He quickly captured the Charlie Chaplin, Franz Kafka, Virginia vision in a sketch in his notebook. The Woolf, Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela, ethereal scene was eventually depicted to name a few. in the oil and acrylic painting “When the One of the paintings, titled “A Cou- Moon is Orbed”. ple”, is an unusual portrayal of Lee The symbolism of the full moon Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding prime is manifold: traditionally it represents minister, and his wife as a young couple togetherness of people; but in Buddhism, quite obviously in love. The painting, it symbolises the clarity of the mind and timedia creations (dance choreographies, inspired by a 1946 photograph of the the enlightenment of a truth seeker. A performances and musical compositions) couple when they were law students in smaller-scale reproduction of this work as well as his literary output (poetry, Cambridge University, England, depicts is displayed at the exhibition. fables and essays). To contextualise his Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo in the The centrepiece of the exhibition is works, the artist transcribed the notes first blush of youth, and exudes warmth a unique mixed media sculpture entitled and writings from his notebooks – eluci- and carefree pleasure – one can almost “The Celestial Web”, a sizable dome- dating the rationale and thinking behind feel the sunshine that bathes the couple shaped structure made of coiled metal each art piece – to be displayed alongside in vibrant colour. wires adorned with “creatures” moulded the works. The portrait, which is devoid of any from clay. The sculpture, inspired by Tan’s As an artist, much of Tan’s output is political undertones, is an ode to a love Buddhist faith, is the embodiment of his difficult to pin down and define: versatility that spanned over six decades. Tan began perspective that all beings, sentient and and freedom of expression are hallmarks painting this portrait on Valentine’s Day in non-sentient, are interconnected by an of his works, and much of it cannot be 2009 and completed it only in 2014. When immense web of everlasting universal love. categorised into any particular subject, Kwa passed away in October 2010, he Interestingly, “The Celestial Web” medium or genre. While the body of added two Vanda Miss Joaquim orchids, began life as a poem with 117 verses that works presented in this exhibition has Singapore’s national flower, by her side Tan specially composed for the Singapore its subtle interconnectedness, a few as a tribute to the devoted mother and Arts Festival in 2003. The poem was themes stand out. loving wife. inspired by the philosophical teachings in the Buddhist scripture Avatamsaka Sutra, Tribute to Masters Spiritual and Philosophical Insights which espouses the notion that all beings in the universe are interconnected and, Tan Swie Hian is deeply interested in Perhaps Tan’s most enigmatic and in- are in fact, one. The poem was performed people. He has painted many portraits of triguing works are those inspired by his at the festival’s opening act, “Instant is

04 05 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature a Millennium – A Musical Conversation “Cat’s Cradle” is testament to this. In with Tan Swie Hian”, by the Singapore 1984, the artist’s daughter kept a pair Chinese Orchestra. The performance took of kittens as pets. From observing the the form of a symphonic orchestration kittens’ lively movements when they of recitation, chorus and music with the were playing or fighting, Tan executed artist simultaneously writing the poem the painting as a study of the rhythm of in Chinese calligraphy on stage.10 moving lines. The painting, with seven The poem subsequently spawned pairs of cats in various poses of action, is the creation of two other art forms: an oil so vividly captured that it even incurred painting (2003) and the aforementioned the jealousy of another pet cat of his sculpture (2010) of the same title. In daughter's – she kept glaring and mew- the 2008 Chingay parade, the concept ing at the painting! was reimagined, taking the form of a On 26 December 2004, in a cataclys- 22-metre-long by six-metre-high mobile mic event that would be remembered in float featuring dancers and a live recita- years to come, an earthquake in Indonesia tion of the poem. Tan’s uncanny ability triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean to reinvent and morph his literary and that struck 14 countries, claiming the lives artistic creations into other art forms is of more than 230,000 people.11 In memory a distinguishing trademark of his mul- of the lives lost to this tragedy, Tan created timedia artworks. the sculpture, "The Straw Dog". The concept for the sculpture came Inspirations from Life from a quote by Lao Tze (also Lao Tzu or Laozi, the Chinese philosopher) in the At the same time, one would be wrong classic Tao Te Ching (道德经) which says to assume that Tan Swie Hian’s art be- that “Heaven and Earth are merciless, longs in the esoteric realm of philosophy treating all beings as straw dogs.” (“ 天 地 不 and spirituality, understood by only a 仁 ，以 万 物 为 刍 狗 。”) . In ancient China, the privileged few. In fact, the down-to-earth straw dog was a sculpted object offered in artist lives a simple and disciplined life worship, to be discarded after sacrificial revolving around creating art, writing and rites were offered. As no visual reference meditation, and is a keen and compas- of the actual object exists, Tan created the sionate observer of life and the people sculpture from his imagination. The austere around him. Occasionally, he takes looking bronze sculpture is a grim reminder pleasure in enjoying good food and fine of the vulnerability and fragility of life. wines with friends. Tan held his first ever solo art exhi- Tan loves animals, especially cats, bition in 1973 when “Paintings of Infused and a Chinese ink on paper scroll titled Contemplation” opened at the since

(Below) Sketches and notes of the meditative vision which led to the painting, “When the Moon is Orbed”. Donated by Tan Swie Hian. Collection of National Library, Singapore. (Right) Detail from “When the Moon Is Orbed” (2012). Oil and acrylic on canvas, 140 cm x 206 cm. Private collection.

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demolished red-brick National Library building on Stamford Road. Almost 43 years later, in November 2016, the art- ist returns to the National Library with “Anatomy of a Free Mind” – the first ever exhibition to showcase his private notebooks and illustrious body of works created during that long absence. The National Library is honoured to partner Tan Swie Hian in charting and presenting his fascinating creative journeys over the past four decades. Over the years, Tan has generously donated more than 6,600 items from his personal collection to the National Library, including artworks and artefacts as well as manuscripts, notebooks and monographs. These are displayed at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at the National Library Building. His most recent donation includes the collection of notebooks displayed in the exhibition. (Top) “The Celestial Web” (2010). Mixed media sculpture, 308 cm x 210 cm x 125 cm. Collection of Tan Swie Hian Museum. (Above left) Pages from Tan Swie Hian’s notebook showing the sketch of “The Celestial Web”. Donated by Tan Swie Hian. Collection of National Library, Singapore. (Above right) “The Straw Dog” (2004). Bronze sculpture, 153 cm x 40 cm x 90 cm. Collection of Tan Swie Hian Museum.

(Right) “Cat’s Cradle”. (1984). Chinese ink on rice paper, 184 cm x 87 cm. Collection of Tan Chiao Joan. Tan’s notebooks, manuscripts and A series of programmes has been About the Exhibition (Top) Tan Swie Hian’s sketches and notes on the related paraphernalia will be also displayed organised in conjunction with the exhibi- painting. Donated by Tan Swie Hian. Collection “Anatomy of a Free Mind: Tan Swie Hian’s alongside the respective artworks. tion, including monthly guided tours by of National Library, Singapore. Notebooks and Creations” opens on 22 To commemorate the exhibition, a the curators and public talks. Of special November 2016 at the gallery on Level 272-page companion book of the same highlight is a guided tour that is open to 10 of the National Library Building on name, published by the National Library the public and a talk by the artist himself. Notes 5 Tan, S. H. (2005). Tan Swie Hian. Retrieved from Tan own record for priciest work by Singapore artist. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva. Victoria Street. and Editions Didier Millet, will be launched Also look out for the smaller 1 Princeton University Press (Producer). (2010, Swie Hian website. October 25). Michelangelo: A life on paper [Video file]. 6 National Library Board. (2014, February 26). Tan 9 Singapore Press Holdings. (2016, May 31). Mandela- The exhibition will feature over at the exhibition and sold at major book- scale roving exhibition on Tan’s literary Retrieved from Brain Pickings website. Swie Hian written by Chor, Poh Chin. Retrieved from Tan Swie Hian work sold for $630k. The Straits 100 works of artistic and literary shops in Singapore as well as on online works that will take place at the Jurong 2 Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. (n.d.). Tan Swie Singapore Infopedia. Times. Retrieved from Factiva. creations by Tan Swie Hian comprising stores. The book includes an introduction Regional Library (1 November–29 Hian. Retrieved from Tribute.sg website. 7 Luxury Insider. (2012, December 4). Most expensive 10 Singapore Chinese Orchestra. (2006). The Celestial Web [Recorded by Terence Cho]. Singapore: paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, seal and notes by writer Yap Su-Yin, and essays December 2016) followed by the Central 3 From a personal communication with Tan Swie Hian living Singapore artist: Tan Swie Hian sells for S$3.7M. Retrieved from Luxury Singapore Chinese Orchestra Co Ltd. carvings, photographs, lithographs, by Tan that shed light on his explorations Public Library (30 December 2016–28 on 27 June 2016. 4 Yap, S. Y. (2016). Anatomy of a free mind: Tan Swie Insider website. 11 Akkoc, R. (2014, December 11). 2004 Boxing Day and multimedia and literary works. of new artistic mediums. February 2017). Hian's notebooks and creations. Singapore: National 8 Shetty, D. (2014, November 30). Tan Swie Hian's tsunami facts. The Telegraph. Retrieved from The Library Board and Editions Dider Millet. painting sold at auction for S$4.4 million, breaks Telegraph website.

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认 为“ 他 的《 巨 人 》——在新华文坛上出版 时 ，完 颜 籍 认 为 这 篇 现 代 主 义 小 说“ 表 达 这在极喜中面临极悲的尖锐对比，正是人世 的 第 一 本 现 代 诗 集 ，可 以 称 得 上 是 新 华 现 方式很不同...... 虽然写实，但没有公式化地 间悲欢无常的写照。作者以敏锐的眼光捕捉 代 诗 的 奠 立 宣 言 ”。 9 陈的诗作风格多样， 谴责这些现实主义作品中认定的坏人”。13 到了这鲜明的对比，再以朴实无华的文字将 有的磅礴阳刚，有的则温柔婉约，好比这首 我 们 不 妨 来 看 看《 平 安 夜 》里 的 这 一 段 关 之呈现在读者眼前，这其中包含了他对无常 悲悯人生 《 母 亲 的 画 》： 于酒吧情景的描写： 人生的悲悯情怀。 母亲画画 露露径自把酒、烟、杯子等等都提了过 除 了 以 上 三 种 文 类 外 ，陈 瑞 献 也 写 过 散 文 、 陈瑞献的文艺创作 嫩枝和蓓蕾和花 来，接着，她心细如尘地斟 着，调着， 戏剧、评论，及翻译外国文学等。这些年来， 如大泪珠和小泪珠 又 擦 亮 了 火 柴 ，把 大 减 价 的 爱 情 点 在 他的文艺作品陆续结集出版，新加坡国家图 构一树梅 酒客的烟端上。露露的工作这么简单， 书 馆 也 收 藏 了 不 少 。若 您 想 进 一 步 了 解 陈 瑞 Tan Swie Hian, whose paintings have fetched record prices, was in fact 也这么复杂。她左闪右闪，避过何霸额 献在文学上的艺术成果，请于2016年11月初 better known for his literary prowess when he first emerged in the arts 线条布着山菊香 前的疤，张四粗的青蜥蜴，以及那只 至2017年2月底到以下的图书馆参观《悲悯 scene. Jessie Yak highlights some of his poems, short stories and fables. 海棠活在纸上 随时都会啄食她的肝脏的大苍鹰。露 人生：陈瑞献的文艺创作》巡回展： 思路单纯 露必须打情骂俏，无视于地狱的火炬， 2016年11月1日至12月29日于裕廊区域图书馆 轮廓意趣单纯 无 闻 于 天 堂 之 门 传 来 的 落 锁 之 声 。哈 2016年12月30日至2017年2月28日于中央公 里 路 亚 ，露 露 活 着 。她 也 常 常 说 她 有 一 共图书馆 母亲的画 条灵魂，灵魂就是生命。14 往事的回音 《 解 析 自 由 心 ：陈 瑞 献 稿 本 与 创 作 》 一双孤女的慧眼 作者借酒吧女郎露露为酒客斟酒点烟时避 特展将于2016年11月22日在国家图书 投向邻人手里的竹圆规 开他们身上疤痕和纹身的动作，细致而生 馆 大 厦 1 0 楼 展 厅 拉 开 序 幕 。展 览 将 投向出头没头的绣花针 动地描述她为了生活而不得不斡旋求存的 呈现100多件陈瑞献的艺术创作如绘 心是画笔 无奈、无助，以及酒客们对她虎视眈眈的处 画，雕塑，书法，篆刻，摄影，版画， 把形与象描入心房 境。但是，即便处境艰难，她依然生存下来； 多 媒 体 表 演 艺 术 及 写 作 ，展 品 包 括 (上) 陈瑞献的寓言《护舞》描写一只松鼠为爱护落 而最后一句话更是点出了她在面对磨人生活 叶，仔细地在落叶之间跳跃以避免踩到它们，借此 指尖是笔尖 从未公开的稿本及相关文物。一部 时的坚强不屈。 强调对万物的关怀与慈悲; 他也以此题材，绘就了 临临金不换草 与 展 览 同 名 的 图 录 ，也 将 同 时 出 版 发 上方的胶彩画《松鼠舞》。 (左) (从左至右）陈的三部著作 《陈瑞献文集》、 画画佛莲 诚如完颜籍所说，没有公式化的谴责，只有 行。届时为配合展览，国家图书馆也 《陈瑞献寓言》以及他的第一本诗集《巨人》。 我没有金字塔 对人物场景的精心描绘。然而正是如此看 将 推 出 一 系 列 活 动 ，例 如 陈 瑞 献 的 没有智慧女神庙 似平铺直叙的白描手法，反而更加彰显了人 特别导览和公开座谈会、每月一次的 艺副刊《青年文艺》，其主编是已故名作家杏 我什么都没有 物的无力感。作者无需明言，其写作技巧已 策展人导览等，欢迎公众踊跃参加。 影；1964年到1966年之间，杏影选刊了陈瑞献 而母亲的画 让他对露露的怜惜跃然纸上。 的 二 十 多 首 诗 作 ，引 起 了 文 坛 的 注 意 。杏 影 过 赐我万有一钥 提起享负盛名的新加坡多媒体艺术家陈瑞 的著作和西洋文学，奠下了深厚的文学基 世后，继任的完颜籍也同样赏识陈的才华， 开露浮宫 寓言 大量刊登了他的文艺创作，令陈声名鹊起。3 开敦煌 10 注释 献，跃入大家脑海的应该大多为他一幅幅 础 。考 进 南 洋 大 学 现 代 语 言 文 学 系 后 ，他 陈瑞献深受佛教哲理的影响，佛家经典《百 1 方桂香著《巨匠陈瑞献》，新加坡：创意出版社，2002年， 色 彩 丰 富 瑰 丽 的 画 作 、构 思 奇 巧 或 趣 致 的 除了专修西洋语文与文学外，更是细心研 喻经》里包含了一百则故事，陈便依照这个 页83-84、87-88。Call no.: RSING 700.92 FGX 关于自己的写作，陈瑞献曾经表示“我的文 诗不算长，但盈溢着儿子观看母亲作画时的 2 方桂香著《新加坡华文现代主义文学运动研究：以新加 雕塑、苍劲豪迈的书法或刻字；他的艺术作 读中外名家的力作。他也在此时接触到现 传统，在上世纪70至90年代间，以中英双语 坡南洋商报副刊〈文艺》、〈文丛》、〈咖啡座》、〈窗》和 学作品...... 多反映现实的阴暗面，以及人类 温馨与深情。儿子是绘画能手，看着母亲的 品也享誉海外，画作在国际拍卖会上屡次 代主义文学（即作家自觉地摒弃传统的写 写了一百则寓言。他认为，寓言是强调言外之 马来西亚文学杂志〈蕉风月刊》为个案》，新加坡：创意圈 悲 苦 的 命 运 ”。 4 有 评 论 说 他“ 以 悲 天 悯 人 出版社，2010年，页224。Call no.: RSING C810.072 FGX 1 画作时，却从简单的线条中看出了她单纯思 刷新成交价；耀眼的艺术成就使他荣获多 作方式，而尝试运用新的表达手法）， 并 音的记述。它篇幅小，却融汇各种表现方式， 3 同 1 ，页 2 4 4 。 的 胸 襟 体 验 人 生 ，因 此 ，一 朵 花 、一 片 叶 、一 路里充满着对往事的回忆——过往的形与 4 李怀宇著“新加坡艺术家陈瑞献：中国文化是我的根”， 项本地及国际的奖项与殊荣。但事实上，他 深受启发，以现代主义手法进行创作，与 而宇宙间的万物是它的题材。15 他写的寓言都 滴水在他的心灵中都能扬起无限的神思与 像留存在她心底，而她正通过笔尖，一点一 见《时代周报》237期网页版http://www.time-weekly.com/ 刚开始涉足艺术领域时，是以文艺创作崭 当时占文坛主流的现实主义（即文学作品 很简短，有些甚至只是一句话。但正因为很精 story/2013-06-13/130014.html（最后登入日期为2016年8月15日）。 5 悲 悯 ”。 他 的 中 文 文 学 创 作 种 类 丰 富 ，各 滴地描绘出来。 5 何乃健赏析《陈瑞献寓言》，新加坡：创意圈出版社，2008 露头角的。 如实反映生活）背道而驰。2 简，所以留给读者很多想象空间，让读者自己 种 体 裁 都 乐 意 尝 试 ，本 文 列 举 了 其 中 三 种 ： 年，页30。Call no.: RSING C818.2 CRX 去感受其言外之意，例如这极短篇《草年》： 6 陈瑞献、叶苏莹著《解析自由心：陈瑞献稿本与创作》， 陈瑞献1943年于印尼苏门答腊附近的哈浪 1960年代，陈瑞献以笔名“牧羚奴”在新加 在这首诗里，无论是对往事的回忆，或是母 新加坡：国家图书馆管理局、EDM出版社，2016年，页70。 诗歌 子共享天伦的温馨，画里画外讲的无非都是 7 同 1 ，页 2 4 6 。 岛出生，之后到新加坡接受教育。在华侨 坡和马来亚的多种报刊发表作品；当时文艺 一草对一草说：“明天，我们就成年了。” 8 同 2 ，页 2 2 7 。 对陈瑞献来说，诗歌是他的缪斯，十五岁 16 中学就读时，他同时涉猎了中国五四作家 创作最重要的根据地便是《南洋商报》的文 一 个“ 情 ”字 。 割草机呼啸而过。 9 同 2 ，页 2 2 8 。 时便写了生平第一首诗，6 1960年代是新马 10 牧羚奴著《巨人》，新加坡：五月出版社，1968年，页11-12。 Call no.: RCLOS C811.5 MLN 华文文坛深受中国大陆现实主义影响的时 小说 寓言的解读因读者而异。本文认为《草年》 11 方桂香主编《陈瑞献谈话录》，新加坡：创意圈出版 Jessie Yak is a Reference Librarian with the Rare Collections team at the National Library, 期，然而他一开始便逆主流而行，倡导以现 陈瑞献曾经说过他选择小说这种创作体裁 说的是生命的无常和未来的无可掌握。正当 社，2004年，页57。Call no.: RSING 700.92 CRX Singapore. She majored in Chinese language and literature at Beijing University and furthered 12 同 2 ，页 2 9 4 。 her studies at the University of Cambridge. Jessie is interested in Chinese literature, the 代主义来进行创作。7 诗人林也评论陈的诗 是为了做多种实验。11 有评论说他善于依 小草们为自己的挣扎求存终于盼到成年的 13 同 2 ，页 2 2 9 。 Chinese diaspora and the print culture of East Asia. 14 牧羚奴著《牧羚奴小说集1964 - 1969》，新加坡：五月出版 靠自觉来把握事物，追求新的感觉和对事 作时表示“他在创作中所运用的晶莹意象、 到来而感到欣喜时，殊不知灭顶灾难已然 社，1969年，页8。Call no.: RCLOS C813.4 MLN 叶若诗为国家图书馆之参考咨询馆员，专责中文善本珍藏。她先后负笈北京大学与剑桥大学，专攻中国 隐喻，也引起许多读者的诧异及欣赏”。8 陈 物的新的感受方法，大胆进行小说文体和 降临；而促使灾难到来的正是小草们的成 15 同 6 ，页 2 1 6 。 语言与文学。她对多个研究课题有浓厚兴趣，包括中华文学、海外华人，以及东亚的印刷文化。 16 陈瑞献著《陈瑞献寓言》，台北：联经出版公司，1996年， 12 于1968年出版第一部诗集《巨人》，完颜籍 技巧的革新。 在 谈 到 陈 的 名 作《 平 安 夜 》 年——野草长高了，需要修剪了。 页82。Call no.: RSING C818 TSH

10 11 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature

comes to pass: securing the future of the the pressure on land resources, high-rise Justin Zhuang is a writer and researcher Pearl Bank apartments and giving it a fresh living has become firmly entrenched as part with an interest in design, cities, culture, history and media. The co-founder of lease of life. of the societal, environmental and architec- writing studio In Plain Words contributes to This is pioneer architect Tan Cheng tural fabric of Singapore. If people have come various architecture and design magazines, Siong’s unorthodox proposal to rescue to accept this fact, why don’t they learn to including Design Observer and American what was once Singapore’s tallest block conserve their ageing high-rise buildings Institute of Graphic Art’s Eye on Design. He of apartments. Having witnessed the now instead of tearing them down? is the author of Independence: The History of iconic 38-storey building he designed over While Tan understands the pragmatism Graphic Design in Singapore Since the 1960s 40 years ago undergo three unsuccessful of maximising land values in land-scarce (2012), Mosaic Memories: Remembering the Playgrounds Singapore Grew Up In (2014) en-bloc attempts in the last decade, and Singapore, his idealism is tempered by the and the catalogue for the exhibition “Fifty faced with a 99-year land lease that is practical business of living. While Pearl Bank Years of Singapore Design” (2016). For more almost halfway expired, Tan and a group is a vital piece of Singapore’s architectural information see http://justinzhuang.com of residents have taken the unprecedented history, it is also home to the people who step of voluntarily applying to the Urban live there, several of whom are retirees with Redevelopment Authority (URA) for Pearl dwindling incomes. As a result of high main- Bank to be conserved. tenance costs and shrinking sinking funds, Not only is this the first time a multi- the apartment building has deteriorated strata private development has made such over the years – plagued by broken-down a request – almost all the 7,200 buildings lifts, leaking sewage pipes, peeling paint given conservation status in Singapore and even rat infestations. A 27-storey “green tower” of residences may thus far have been proposed by the govern- Given its failed en-bloc sales attempts, one day rise up at the edge of Singapore’s ment – Tan’s conservation plan would entail Tan came up with a radical idea to secure historic Chinatown. It will boast the Outram demolishing part of Pearl Bank’s existing Pearl Bank’s future: seek conservation Park MRT station at its doorstep and Pearl’s five-storey car park to build a new block of status for the property and then unlock its aHill City Park as its backyard. There will even 150 apartments. value by allowing a developer to construct a be an infinity pool and a rooftop garden. But In an interview in his office at Maxwell new block of apartments next to the original none of these will rival the most attractive House, Tan made clear his views on conser- tower. The money from the sale of the new aspect of this new development if it ever vation: as a result of a rising population and flats would then pay for the refurbishment

(Facing page) A dramatic view from a penthouse on the 38th floor of Pearl Bank apartments. This iconic block, completed in 1976, was the tallest apartment building in Singapore at the time. Photo by Justin Zhuang. (Below) Tan Cheng Siong, the original architect of Pearl Bank, has come up with a conservation plan that entails demolishing part of the existing five-storey carpark and building a new block of 150 apart- ments. Courtesy of Archurban Architects Planners. (Right) Pearl Bank was advertised as the “tallest apartment block in Southeast Asia” in the April 1976 issue of Building Materials & Equip- ment Southeast Asia magazine. On sale were penthouses as well as 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments. Saving Pearl Bank Apartments

Architectural conservation or real estate investment? Justin Zhuang ponders over the fate of a 1970s style icon that has seen better times.

12 13 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature of the ageing building as well as top up what apartments yet ensure its estimated 1,500 won the tender because the government first time in Singapore. Instead of building developer Hock Seng Enterprises was put is left of its 99-year lease. residents could live comfortably inside, Tan also considered the building design in its one level at a time with a wooden formwork into receivership by its creditor, the Moscow The result would be a modern append- devised an interlocking split design to divide evaluation. “There was heavy calculation and waiting over a week for the concrete to Narodny Bank (MNB), burdened with still age to his modernist marvel – a concrete the single block into 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom [by the developer] to ensure profit,” says Mr dry before proceeding – a method known as unsold units in Singapore’s depressed resi- materialisation of how architecture, property split-level apartments. These 288 units were Tan. “It is only fair that people don’t invest "cast in-situ" – Pearl Bank’s vertical walls dential property market.11 Some 60 unsold and conservation intersect in Singapore. generously spread eight apiece across each in architecture. People invest in profit, for were constructed by pouring concrete into apartments in Pearl Bank, including eight “We thought this conservation [proposal] floor, which made it necessary for Pearl Bank profit. We took a risk. He [the developer] a mould that was raised inch by inch as the penthouse units, were eventually bought would be a binding force because it would to scale new heights – a groundbreaking took a risk. To be fair to him, he also saw bottom was partially set. As a result, “the up by the government in 1979 as part of its bring them an extension of lease, [and] … a example of high-rise, high-density living the architectural value.”5 vertical elements went up so fast that the move to stimulate the property market.12 new building,” says Tan. in a city where hitherto shophouses and horizontal elements, ­notably the in-situ split Some three decades later, the property walk-up apartments were the norm, and When Architecture Becomes Property floors and staircases, experienced a hard market returned to threaten Pearl Bank in Rise of an Architectural Icon public housing flats just emerging. time trying to catch up,” explained Building a different way. By then, condominiums had The building’s cost of $14 million dol- To realise Pearl Bank in the shortest time Materials & Equipment magazine in 1976.6 become one of the 5 Cs – along with cash, car, If Tan’s plan goes through, it will not be the lars led the developer to reduce its land possible, builders Sin Hup Huat employed Despite this, Pearl Bank was com- credit card and country club membership – of first time he has offered a radical solution price in the bid, recalls Tan.4 In spite of being the relatively new slip-form construction pleted one-and-a-half years behind life in Singapore. This culture of materialism to urbanisation issues in Singapore. Pearl the lowest bidder, Hock Seng Enterprises method on a residential development for the schedule. After piling started in mid-1970, combined with a bullish property market Bank first arose amid rapid modernisation progress was slowed by material and convinced over 80 percent of Pearl Bank's of the city in the 1970s and 80s. Following labour shortages due to a property boom residents to put up their homes for sale when (Below) Artist’s impression of a show flat when Pearl Bank was first marketed in the early 1970s. 7 the sales of land to private developers Courtesy of pearlbankapartments.com. in Singapore. “[S]ince June 1970, every 10 an “en-bloc fever” swept across the city in to build hotels, offices and commercial (Bottom) A sectional perspective of a typical split-level apartment unit in a 1972 sales brochure. days has brought an announcement of a new 2007. Anderson 18 ($478 million), Gillman facilities, in 1969 the government released Courtesy of pearlbankapartments.com. property develop­ment project,” reported Heights ($548 million), Grangeford Apart- for the first time a piece of land in the city the New Nation in April 1971.8 Shenton Way ments ($624 million) and Leedon Heights centre that was earmarked for private came into the scene with the 50-storey DBS ($835 million), were all successfully sold, high-rise apartments. As with other land Building leading the way, mega mixed-used with the record going to Farrer Court, its parcels offered for sale back then, the buildings like Woh Hup Centre (now Golden $1.339 billion the largest ever collective authorities had already visualised a plan Mile Complex) introduced the idea of work, sale recorded in Singapore.13 Pearl Bank for prospective tenderers: three rectilinear live and play in a single development (today somehow escaped the sales frenzy not just towers connected by a public square-cum- the template for property development) and once but again in 2008 and 2011 – its last carpark at the foot of Pearl’s Hill.1 Singaporeans upgraded to the high life as asking price of $750 million deemed too “Luckily, I didn’t look at it!” exclaims condominiums like the luxury Beverly Mai, high by the market.14 Architect Tan Cheng Siong sketched this new tower Tan when shown these plans during this the cutting-edge Futura as well as Pearl The successive threats of en-bloc, in 1980 when he was thinking of ways to save Pearl Bank. Courtesy of pearlbankapartments.com. interview – which he says he was seeing Bank redefined apartment towers as the new however, galvanised a minority group of for the first time. “Otherwise, I may have type of middle- and upper-class housing.9 residents to save Pearl Bank. One of them followed it thinking this may be the winning This wave of modern developments in is American architect Ed Poole who moved year before, another ageing 99-year lease design. You know how sometimes people the early 1970s overstretched the construc- into a penthouse unit in 2000. His love for condominium, The Arcadia, had asked for a get influenced for commercial reasons… tion sector so much that the government the architecture (“Pearl Bank is irreplace- lease extension but was rejected because the developer may say, ‘Eh, copy this, it’s a postponed land sales for almost five years.10 able”) and the over $600,000 he has spent it did not meet the conditions of “land use good thing. That’s what they want.’” Pearl Bank’s completion in 1976 was not renovating his apartment (“And it’s still not intensification or urban rejuvenation”.17 This Fortunately for the architect and his the end of its troubles. Two years later, the done!”), drove Poole to hire a lawyer and rally was why the architect proposed to increase firm Archynamics Architects (which later his neighbours against the en-bloc attempts the gross floor area of Pearl Bank with a closed and led him to start Archurban Archi- led by the “condo raiders”.15 new tower. “They called me up and I said, tects Planners in 1974), the developer­ Hock To transform the image of Pearl ‘If you really want to upgrade, you must Seng Enterprises had no such intentions Bank, which had become known as a be brave and do something to increase its when they approached his two-year-old firm dorm for foreign workers and a haven for value more,΄” says Tan. to bid with them. Instead Tan found inspira- vice activity, Poole started the website Erecting a new tower on the land parcel tion in the 85,500-sq-ft site resembling an pearlbankapartments.com and even opened Pearl Bank occupies seems to fly in the face airplane tail, drawing up a single tower up his home to the media.16 It was after Tan of conservation as a means of preserving a that soared 561 ft above sea level – rival- was interviewed at Poole’s apartment for the city's heritage. But as Singapore’s national ling the city’s highest peak, Bukit Timah TV programme, Listen To Our Walls, in 2008 body in charge of conservation, the URA, Hill – to take advantage of the panoramic that the seed of the voluntary conservation explains on its website, “Conservation is views of the south of Singapore and create proposal was laid. “We all talked of some much more than just preserving a facade what would become Southeast Asia’s tallest crazy ideas as alternatives to en-bloc. Mr or the external shell of a building. It is also apartment block.2 Tan then did this sketch, showing a new important that we retain the inherent spirit Pearl Bank’s unique horseshoe shape tower. We all just laughed it off as impossi- and original ambience of these historic was grounded in Tan’s search for efficiency. ble,” said Poole in a recent e-mail interview. buildings as far as possible.”18 Unlike a conventional point or slab block, This is the principle Tan uses to defend this shape was economical in terms of Conservation and Conversations his proposal which he assures conserves materials used, offering the smallest wall- the entire existing apartment block. “It does to-floor ratio.3 The opening of the building’s The sketch created over drinks became seem to change the look, but architecturally 270-degree sector shape – imagine the letter reality in 2012 when another penthouse it’s not changed,” he explains. “You can’t ‘C’– also faces west to allow for ventila- resident and then chairman of Pearl Bank’s talk about preservation in architecture. It’s tion and minimise the sunset glare into its management committee, Dr Lee Seng conservation. And conservation means also bedrooms and living rooms located on the Teik, reached out to Tan to help upgrade you can adapt, reuse… but the whole mean- outer rim. To fit in the maximum number of the building and extend its lease. Only a ing, the whole spirit behind still remains.”

14 15 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature As Good

The Makingas of a Financial Gold Centre (Above left) A rendering of what Pearl Bank would look like if the current conservation plan goes through. It involves demolishing part of the existing five- storey carpark and building a new block of 150 apartments. Courtesy of Archurban Architects Planners. (Above right) The rooftop garden of the new apartment block would connect to Pearl Bank’s existing 28th floor where the communal facilities for residents are located. Courtesy of Archurban Architects Planners. Singapore’s Central Business District didn’t happen by accident. Lim Tin Seng recounts how a piece of prime land dubbed as Residents like Poole agree that it’s by all existing owners of Pearl Bank because gapore. How can we lead modern lives in “Golden Shoe” was transformed into a glittering financial hub. futile to conserve the building to its original it impacts upon their future ownership as a building designed for earlier times? Are form. Instead, the conservation proposal governed by the Building Maintenance and private residents expected to upkeep a is an opportunity to raise much needed Strata Management Act. Since the proposal public monument of a nation’s history? How funds to fix some inherent architectural was tabled in 2015, over 90 percent of resi- should we balance the often diametrically problems. On Poole’s wish list: turning dents have agreed to the new building. But it opposite values that concern heritage the existing eight-lift system into plumb- will be a “monumental task” to get everyone conservation and property investment? Singapore’s waterfront has seen a remark- of prime real estate known as the “Golden Golden Shoe was divided into four ing shafts to address the problematic on board because some residents are too ill The voluntary conservation plan for able transformation over the last 50 years, Shoe”. Golden Shoe may seem like a rather distinct clusters: Raffles Place and Bat- sewage pipes and replacing it with a new to make a decision and there are differences Pearl Bank provides a platform to facilitate marked by the soaring glass-and-concrete grandiose label today but in post-Inde- tery Road; Collyer Quay and Raffles Quay; high-speed core of lifts. in opinion between the co-owners of some discussions between residents, the state, towers of Raffles Place and Shenton Way pendent Singapore, it came to express the Malacca Street, Market Street and Chulia Unlike other conserved buildings in units, said Dr Lee.20 the architecture community and the public. son the one hand to the vast expanse of ambitious plans of a nascent city that had set Street; and Cecil Street, Robinson Road and Singapore, Pearl Bank is a block of private What irks the pro-conservation camp Surrounding the issue of conservation is shimmering Marina Bay on the other, its sights on being a major financial centre. Shenton Way. In the 1822 Raffles Town Plan apartments. A resident once summed up is that the same act requires only 80 per the larger issue of what consensus looks framing the new extension of the Central (or Jackson Plan) – the earliest known map her woes: “No doubt the building is unique cent of residents to agree to collectively like in Singapore today. Is it 80, 90 or 100 Business District (CBD). Older skyscrap- A Business and Financial Hub of the town of Singapore – the first cluster and historical, but living and dealing with the sell a development that is 10 years old percent? Can it even be measured? It is a ers such as One Raffles Place (formerly was designated for commercial activities, inconvenience is a chore.”19 One may argue or more – an issue they have appealed to question that becomes all the more pertinent OUB Centre; 1986), UOB Plaza (1992) and The term “Golden Shoe” was the moniker while the second, built on reclaimed land that this is no different from residents who the Ministry of National Development to as Singapore becomes more crowded and Republic Plaza (1995) – all scaling 280 given to the 80-acre shoe-shaped plot of and an extension of Raffles Place, provided live in pre-Independence era conserved address. At the time of press, the ministry diverse. Pearl Bank and the problems of metres, the maximum height allowed in prime land in the heart of Singapore’s city space for offices and godowns (warehouses) shophouses, except in this case, all owners has granted the residents more time to high-rise living that ageing buildings bring Singapore – hold their own against the centre. Designated as the future financial facing the waterfront.2 of the 288 units in Pearl Bank have to come get the 100 percent consent required or to with them is but a microcosm of what the shiny new rivals of Marina Bay, led by and banking hub of the city, Golden Shoe The third cluster, part of the original to a consensus on any decision regarding explore other proposals. city will face in the future. Marina Bay Sands and the Marina Bay was gazetted in 1970 under the Controlled Indian enclave, was home to Indian trading the fate of the building. The difference is perhaps an unin- “When you build super-high, it is super Financial Centre. Premises (Special Provisions) Act of 1969 as houses and money lenders, or “chettiars”, This is the case with Tan’s plan too. tended legal expression of the gaps difficult: more people, more quarrels, more All this is testament to the success of a zone deregulated from rent controls, – in who occupied shophouses along Malacca While the merits of conservation will be between architecture and home, public differences,” says Tan. "Because of that we the city-state’s urban renewal programme other words, allowing owners to repossess Street and Market Street. Chinese busi- assessed separately by URA, building a new and private property, and even between have to learn how to live together in a very that began in the late 1960s – in a pocket their properties for development purposes.1 nesses were also located in this cluster block of apartments has to be agreed upon conservation and redevelopment in Sin- positive and creative way.”

Notes 7 Apartment block ready at last. (1975, 10 October). New 14 Whang, R. (2015, May 30). URA sees merit in Lim Tin Seng is a Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. He is the co-editor of Roots: An aerial view of the Central Business District in 1 Third sale of urban renewal sites for private Nation, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. conservation plan for Pearl Bank. The Straits Times; Tracing Family Histories – A Resource Guide (2013); Harmony and Development: ASEAN-China the 1950s, covering a large swathe of the area ear- development. (1970, January/February). Journal of 8 Tan, A. (1971, April 17). Building at a faster tempo for Lim, C. (2011, March 15). 3rd collective sale bid by Pearl Relations (2009) and China’s New Social Policy: Initiatives for a Harmonious Society (2010). He is marked as the Golden Shoe, including Collyer Quay the Singapore Institute of Architects, 38, pp. 2–23. graceful living. New Nation, p. 13. Retrieved from Bank. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva. also a regular contributor to BiblioAsia. and Raffles Place. On the far left is the octagonal- Call no.: R 720.5 SIAJ NewspaperSG. 15 Lee, P. (2014, May 2). Pearl Bank still special after shaped Telok Ayer Market and in the foreground 2 Wu, D. (2008, March). Pearl gem. Wallpaper*, pp. 9 Tan, C. S. (1972, February 1). Neck-to-neck race all these years. The Straits Times. Retrieved from is Telok Ayer Basin, which would be reclaimed in 158–160. Call no.: RART 747W; Going up in S'pore S-E skywards... New Nation, p. 8. Retrieved from Factiva; Poole, E. (2010, March 15). Interview with Ed the ensuing decades to build Marina Bay. © Urban Asia's tallest flats. (1970, July 13).The Straits Times, NewspaperSG. Poole. Retrieved from Facebook. Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved. p. 24. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 10 URA offers sites for sale to developers. (1974, 16 Pearl Bank Apartments. Retrieved from Pearl Bank 3 Wu, Mar 2008, pp. 158–160. April 2). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from Apartments website. 4 Cylindrical tower provides high density NewspaperSG. 17 Chua, S. (2011, April 12). Fighting for Arcadia. Retrived accommodation in split-level apartments. (1976, 11 Goh, E. K., & Ong, L. K. (1976, November 5). Property from iProperty.com website. April). Building Materials & Equipment Southeast companies facing an uncertain future. The Business 18 Urban Redevelopment Authority. (2016, July 12). Asia, pp. 34–57. Call no.: R 690.05 BME Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Conservation principles. Retrieved from Urban 5 Quek, G., Neo, K. J., & Lim, T. (2015). Conservation 12 Teo, L. H. (1978, December 13). HUDC to buy 60 Redevelopment Authority website. conversations: Pearl Bank apartments (p. 20). Pearlbank flats.New Nation, p. 1; Developers hail 19 Tay, S. C. (2007, August 5). Goodbye Famous 5? The Singapore: Singapore University of Technology and HUDC move. (1977, December 7). The Straits Times, p. Straits Times, p. 40. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Design. Available in PublicationSG. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 20 Chow, C. (2016, March 3). Bold bid for conservation. 6 Building Materials & Equipment Southeast Asia, Apr 13 Fatti, M. (2016, March 29). En bloc sales – how does it Retrieved from The Edge Property website. 1976, pp. 34–57. work? Retrieved from 99.co. website.

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as low down payments, interest-free loans It was connected to the “three sisters” by a and innovative construction methods. OCBC

BOAT QUAY with long repayment periods and property pedestrian-cum-shopping overhead bridge Centre, for example, has a structural design tax rebates. The sites were also sold with called Golden Bridge.12 quite unlike other buildings at the time. It CHULIA STREET BATTERY ROAD vacant possession – meaning the property The land sales programme in 1968 is made up of two semi-circular concrete BATTERY ROAD SYNAGOGUE ST must be in a state fit to be occupied upon also gave rise to the 52-storey OCBC cores with the office space suspended on 14 CHANGE ALLEY completion – and whatever infrastructural Centre. Designed by renowned architect three sets of huge lateral girders. CHURCH support the developers required was pro- I. M. Pei, it was located on Chulia Street The influence of foreign architects STREET 8 RAFFLES PLACE vided within reason. on a site formerly occupied by China was demonstrated again when Overseas MARKET STREET MARKET MALACCA STREET CHEANG HONG LIM STREET On their part, developers had to ensure Building, Ho Ho Building and a restaurant. Union Bank (OUB) commissioned the award- COLLYER QUAY that their designs adhered to the planning Completed in 1976, OCBC Centre was an winning Japanese architect Kenzo Tange to parameters set up by URD, such as land important milestone in the development design its building. The site in Raffles Place, CECIL STREET use zoning, development intensity and its of Singapore’s modern skyline.13 Rising to where the old Robinson’s department store relationship with the architectural and a height of 201 metres, it was the tallest occupied, was released by URA in 1979. The

CROSS STREET urban characteristics of the larger physical building in Singapore and Southeast Asia at result was the elegant OUB Centre (now One MARKET STREET MARKET environment.9 It was not all about squeezing the time of its opening in November 1976. Raffles Place). Completed in 1987, the glass- office blocks into every square inch of space: OCBC Centre also marked the first time and-steel tower is made up of two triangular RAFFLES QUAY from the very start the authorities had a foreign architects were engaged to design prisms of different heights attached to each grand vision that balanced development major development projects in Singapore. other. The tower is etched by a grid pattern with aesthetic considerations. Local architectural firms now had to face of rectangles and window units, and clad

TELOK AYER STREET The response from developers was off with foreign companies in pitching for with a specially treated aluminium alloy STANLEY STREET swift. The first buildings that emerged building projects and this resulted in bet- that allows it to change colour with the light CECIL STREET

ROBINSON ROAD from the 1967 and 1969 land sales were, ter designs and more competitive tenders. it reflects. The tower rises above a retail McCALLUM STREET respectively, Overseas Union House and Foreign architects introduced novel designs podium that features a dramatic entrance Telok Ayer Basin Change Alley Aerial Plaza along Collyer

TELOK AYER STREET Quay. The former was an eight-storey building – standing on what used to be a (Below) Singapore’s skyline in the early 1970s was a conglomeration of low-rise shophouses interspersed with a few tall buildings, and many more in the making. Shown in this 1974 photo are Ocean Building (far carpark beside Clifford Pier – designed by right), UOB Building (centre) and the still under-construction OCBC Centre (left). Ministry of Information ROBINSON ROAD SLH-Timothy Seow and Partners. The build- and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. SHENTON WAY ing, completed in 1972, housed a shopping (Bottom) By 1976, OCBC Centre had been completed, but crumbling old shophouses were still a feature of the mall, a multi-storey carpark and offices, Central Business District. Many of these met the wrecker’s ball in the ensuing years as part of government land acquisition efforts. Ronni Pinsler Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. with the Neptune Theatre Restaurant as its centrepiece.10 (Above left) The Golden Shoe derived its name from its resemblance to an upturned shoe and its value as prime land. Development of the area was concentrated in Its neighbour, the Change Alley Aerial four clusters: Raffles Place and Battery Road; Collyer Quay and Raffles Quay; Malacca, Market and Chulia streets; and Cecil Street, Robinson Road and Shenton Way. (Top right) Raffles Place (formerly Commercial Square) was a key cluster in the Golden Shoe area. Since it was first demarcated in the 1822 Raffles Town Plan, the Plaza, comprised a revolving tower and a cluster has been and still is the centre for banking and commercial activities in Singapore. Shown here is a view of Raffles Place in the early 1960s with Robinsons glass bridge. The tower, which housed a (left), Chartered Bank (centre) and John Little (right). Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. restaurant and an observation deck, was (Above right) Collyer Quay was another cluster that traditionally served as a commercial site. Built on reclaimed land, it was an extension of Raffles Place, provid- located beside Clifford Pier and linked to ing spaces for offices and godowns. This 1960s photo shows Asia Insurance Building (left), Ocean Building (centre) and Alkaff Arcade (right). Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Raffles Place by a bridge that doubled up as a shopping mall. Change Alley Aerial Plaza was designed by the architectural on Chulia Street. The fourth cluster, where housing estates. Additionally, decongesting the programme. The private sector would firm K. K. Tan and Associates. Completed in famous shipping lines and insurance compa- the central area would free up valuable land finance the construction of office build- 1975, the building connected the main shop- nies once congregated, was built at different space for the development of a modern busi- ings, good-class apartments, hotels and ping centres in the area, which comprised stages of the Telok Ayer Basin reclamation ness district, a prospect that was becoming shopping malls, while the government Overseas Union House, the newly renovated project, which links the commercial districts more critical as post-Independent Singapore would serve as the town planner – a role Clifford Pier and the original Change Alley of Collyer Quay and Raffles Place to the progressed towards an export-oriented that involved the meticulous preparation in Raffles Place.11 Tanjong Pagar dock area.3 industrialised economy.5 of a grand master plan, development of Interestingly, the Golden Shoe district infrastructure as well as the all-important Singapore’s First Skyscrapers was a heavily populated residential area at Government Land Sales Programmes function of acquiring, clearing and releas- one time. According to a 1956 survey by the ing parcels of land to the private sector The 1968 land sales programme resulted Singapore Improvement Trust (predecessor The government agency tasked to lead through periodic land sales. In addition, the in the so-called “three sisters” of Shenton of the Housing and Development Board), this massive undertaking was the Urban government also drafted building guide- Way: UIC (United Industrial Corporation) there were about 180,000 to 200,000 shop- Renewal Department (URD; predecessor lines to ensure that planning and urban Building, Robina House and Shenton House. houses in the central area. Many of these of the Urban Redevelopment Authority), design objectives were met, and displaced Completed in 1975, all shared a similar were in a decrepit state and packed to the which came under the Ministry of National residents were suitably rehoused.7 tower-and-podium building structure, gills with tenants. Although the official Development. Armed with advice from the The renewal of Golden Shoe began thanks to a URD planning regulation which density rate was reported as 568 people United Nations, the URD drew up a com- with the launch of three government land made sure that buildings sited further in- per hectare, it reached as high as 1,700 in prehensive urban renewal programme that sales programmes in 1967, 1968 and 1969, land could still enjoy a sea view. There was, some areas, contributing to poor sanitation, sought “the gradual demolition of virtually shortly after the URD completed its pilot however, flexibility to allow some variation congested streets and frequent outbreaks the whole 1,500 acres of the old city” and urban renewal projects in Outram (Precinct in design, most notably in the façade of of contagious diseases.4 replacing it with a “modern city worthy of South 1) and Golden Mile (Precinct North the tower blocks. This tower-and-podium Given such conditions, there was an Singapore’s future”.6 1). To attract private sector developers, design was also used for the 22-storey urgent need to get rid of the crumbling shop- Cooperation between the public and special concessions were offered. These Shing Kwan House across the road, also the houses and relocate the families to proper private sectors was key to the success of included generous repayment terms, such result of the 1968 land sales programme.

18 19 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature with an eight-storey-high cutaway. Rising ing their properties. These shophouses to stand. Completed in 1972, the building after Royal Dutch Shell became its anchor a retrofit to the existing office block with One Building After Another to 280 metres, the 63-storey tower was the became neglected over the years, resulting was initially known as McAllister House as tenant,24 and is today known as Singapore a six-storey podium linking both towers. tallest building in Singapore at the time of in decaying facades that concealed even it was conceived by the McAllister Group Land Tower. Kenzo Tange was engaged to conceptualise The 1970s and 80s saw a frenzy of private its completion.15 worse living conditions within. To motivate to replace its headquarters in Gresham The octagonal-shaped UOB (United the project design, and he incorporated sector building construction in the Golden To maintain the pace of development, landowners, the 1969 Control Premises House. It was renamed Straits Trading Overseas Bank) Building next to Six Battery elements from the old office tower into the Shoe area: Hong Leong Holdings rede- the government located its financial insti- (Special Provisions) Act exempted them from Building after Straits Trading acquired the Road is another notable redevelopment by new development by adopting the same veloped the 28 shophouses it owned into tutions in Shenton Way.16 Among the first rent control, thus enabling the owners to building in 1969.23 the private sector. It was built in 1974 on octagonal layout, and juxtaposing octa- a 41-storey skyscraper in 1977; the Hong were the Development Bank of Singapore repossess their properties. In return, how- Another property that underwent the site of Bonham Building, UOB’s former gons and squares at 45-degree angles to Kong and Shanghai Bank pulled down its (DBS) Building designed by Alfred Wong ever, the landlords had to ensure that their similar redevelopment on Battery Road was headquarters. The building originally com- each other. These were superimposed in a headquarters in Raffles Place and replaced Partnership, and the Central Provident Fund premises would be redeveloped. Further- Chartered Bank Building, which has been prised a 30-storey office tower and a five- succession of geometrical rotations before it with a 21-storey building in 1982; Island (CPF) Building by the Public Works Depart- more, the premises had to be located within present on this site since 1916. After two storey podium at the base.25 In 1988, UOB tapering towards the apex. The two towers Investment and Agency demolished the ment. The two buildings were completed a specifically gazetted zone or “designated expansions, the current construction, com- paid some $130 million to purchase vacant and podium were clad in granite and alu- Maritime Building (formerly Union Build- in 1975 and 1976 respectively, and shared development area” that came to be known pleted in April 1984, was renamed Six Battery land next to the building, and announced a minium, and insulated with grey-coloured ing) in Collyer Quay to make way for the the same tower-and-podium structure as as the Golden Shoe.20 Road and housed Standard Chartered Bank $400-million expansion plan. glass, making the building a visual stun- 23-storey Tung Centre in 1985; and American their neighbours. Not unexpectedly, landowners wel- as its anchor tenant. The 43-storey tower and The massive project included the ner. The new UOB Plaza was completed in International Assurance (AIA) redeveloped The DBS tower was a 70-storey build- comed the new legislation. Declaring it as podium is clad with a brown granite exterior. addition of a new 66-storey skyscraper and August 1992.26 its headquarters on Robinson Road into a ing with three sections, while the shorter a move that was “long overdue”, the land- P&T Group, its architect, also designed the 25-storey tower in 1992.27 45-storey CPF tower was divided into four owners looked forward to the prospect of adjacent Raffles Tower, which was developed This trend continued into the 1990s. sections. When DBS Building was first ridding their tenants and refurbishing their on the former site of John Little department Singapore Airlines replaced its 26-year-old announced in 1971, it was hailed as a symbol dilapidated premises. store in 1973. It was renamed Shell Tower Robinson Road headquarters in 1994 with of Singapore’s rise from “a small fishing Business tenants, on the other hand a 35-storey glass tower. Older properties village” to a modern nation – and the city’s were disappointed. Having enjoyed low in the area such as Denmark House and its (Right) By the end of the 1970s, high-rise buildings equivalent to monuments such as the Taj rental rates for decades, many, including had begun to reshape the Singapore skyline. Many neighbouring Finlayson House were jointly 17 Mahal of India and the Great Wall of China. shopkeepers and five-foot-way traders of them were located in Raffles Place facing the redeveloped into the 25-storey John Hancock During the late 1980s, another two along Change Alley and the Arcade areas, Singapore River. Prominent bank buildings visible Tower (previously Century Tower 21 and government financial institutions – the Mon- steeled themselves for the worst; in some in this 1976 photograph include buildings belonging now 6 Raffles Quay), while Nedlloyd House etary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the cases rents were jacked up by nearly three- to OCBC, Hong Leong Bank, UOB, CPF and DBS. by Hong Leong International Properties Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, 28 Treasury – were relocated to the southern fold, from $350 to $1,000 a month. Others courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Investment became 1 Finlayson Green. end of Shenton Way across Maxwell Road to were worried about uprooting themselves (Below) This 1993 photo shows the transformation Other private redevelopment ventures further cement the stretch as the financial and relocating to new areas that were less of Singapore’s skyline that began in the 1980s and included the 37-storey Bank of China building street of Singapore. This was then followed favourable for business. To manage the continued into the 90s, giving rise to skyscrapers constructed adjacent to the original premises such as the octagonal UOB Plaza and the prism- by the Post Office Savings Bank when it expectations of the affected parties, the gov- shaped OUB Centre (now One Raffles Place).Ministry in 1999, and the 32-storey Maybank Tower on commissioned a tower on the former site ernment set up the Tenants’ Compensation of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of the site of the bank’s former headquarters in of the Criminal Investigation Department Board to review re-possession applications National Archives of Singapore. 2001.29 Dwarfing over these two buildings is (CID) Building in 1996. The bank, however, of landlords and to assess the amount of the obelisk-shaped Republic Plaza designed did not complete its move to the 52-storey compensation to be paid to the evictees.21 by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. tower when it was completed in 2000 due Standing at 66 storeys and 280 metres to its merger with DBS in 1998. Instead, The Rise of Private Sector Investment high, the tower is the flagship building of the tower, which is known today as Capital City Developments Limited (CDL). It was Tower, went on to serve as the headquarters Among the first private projects that were completed in 1996 on an 8,500-sq-m site of the Government of Singapore Investment launched after the Control Premises (Special acquired by CDL through a combination of Corporation (GIC), the sovereign wealth fund Provisions) Act came into effect were Ocean private transactions and government land of the Singapore government.18 Building and Clifford Centre, adjacent to sales.30 each other in Raffles Place. The 28-storey Caltex House (now Chevron House) The 1969 Control Premises curvilinear Ocean Building was erected and Hitachi Tower (16 Collyer Quay) are (Special Provisions) Act on the site of the former Ocean Building examples of projects developed using a constructed in 1923, while the 29-storey similar model. Completed in 1993, the two Apart from government land sales, Golden podium-and-tower Clifford Centre replaced interlinked buildings were built on a 1989 Shoe was also shaped by private redevel- the old Clifford House. The developer of sale site and a private plot that was formerly opment projects. As most of the old shop- Clifford Centre also purchased an adjacent part of Change Alley.31 houses in the area were privately owned, parking lot, Chan Wing Building and Airways Despite the steady pace of develop- the URD employed a new strategy.19 To Building to give the new development two ment, there were still many dingy shop- incentivise landowners to redevelop their frontages, one facing Raffles Place and the houses in the Golden Shoe area that could properties, the authorities introduced the other Collyer Quay.22 not be redeveloped for one reason or another Control Premises (Special Provisions) Act in Hot on the heels of these properties in the 1970s. Most of these properties were 1969 to exempt them from rent controls. Due were projects like the Arcade and the Straits situated on fragmented plots, making them to a severe housing shortage, rent controls Trading Building. The Arcade, sandwiched unsuitable for comprehensive redevelop- were implemented by the colonial govern- between Ocean Building and Clifford Cen- ment. Landowners also faced difficulties ment in 1947 to prevent greedy landlords tre, on the site of the historic 1905 Alkaff acquiring adjacent sites to amalgamate their from exorbitantly increasing rents beyond Arcade, was a 19-storey office tower with holdings into sizeable parcels. what had been imposed in 1939. three shopping floors. The 22-storey Straits Given the high chance that these frag- But while the British legislation pro- Trading Building was located along Bat- mented properties would not be redeveloped tected tenants, the restrictions discouraged tery Road where the Medical Hall Building, in a sustainable way, the government had landowners from redeveloping or maintain- Maynard Building and Gresham House used to acquire them under the Land Acquisition

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5 Singapore. Legislative Assembly. Debates: Official 26 Powell, 2000, pp. 23–25; Lee, H. S. (1988, February 1). report. (1963, December 10). Yang Di-Petuan Negara’s Big building project all set to take off. The Business speech: Debate on the address (Vol. 22, col. 248). Times, p. 1; Tan, H. B. (1995, August 4). UOB Plaza: A Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 328.5957 SIN; mark of dynamism and refinement.The Straits Times, Singapore. Housing Development Board, 1965, pp. p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 85–86; Chua, 1989, p. 12. 27 Hong Leong agrees to pay $1.2 m to tenants. (1971, September 6 Chua, 1989, pp. 12–16; Singapore. Housing 15). The Straits Times, p. 5; Finance firm celebrates first Development Board, 1965, p. 84. decade. (1977, February 21). The Straits Times, p. 10; Re- 7 Singapore. Legislative Assembly, 10 Dec 1963, Vol. 22, opening of HSBC's branch. (1982, April 13). The Business col. 248; Chua, 1989, p. 16. Times, p. 2; ‘All-glass’ building for waterfront. (1982, May 8 Dale, O. J. (1999). Urban planning in Singapore: The 1). The Straits Times, p. 10; Koh, B. A. (1989, September 9). transformation of a city (pp. 126–127). Shah Alam, Malaysia: AIA Building to make way for $60m tower block. The Straits Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSING 307.1216 DAL. Times, p. 48. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 9 Chua, 1989, pp. 66–72. 28 John Hancock drops plan for broking business in S'pore. 10 Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (1995). (1992, November 6). The Straits Times, p. 47; Aleshire, I. Changing the face of Singapore: Through the URA sale (1986, October 4). Facade of Nedlloyd House to stay. The of sites (p. 149). Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Straits Times, p. 16; Chan, C. (1989, December 6). New Authority. Call no.: RSING 711.5522095957 CHU; Urban office block to replace Denmark House and next-door Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (1983). A pictorial Finlayson House. The Straits Times, p. 48; Wee, A. (1995, chronology of the sale of sites programme for private April 4). Growing taller by the day. The Business Times, development (p. 23). Singapore: Urban Redevelopment p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Authority. Call no.: RSING 711.5522095957 CHU 29 Oon, D. (1997, September 30). Maybank to rebuild 11 'Hanging' shopping complex plan. (1970, July 2). The S'pore HQ for $110m. The Straits Times, p. 5; Koh, Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; E. (2001, August 31). Back to the future. The Straits Singapore Institute of Architects. (1998). Times, p. 24. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Bank of Contemporary Singapore architecture (pp. 46–47). China. (n.d.). Bank of China Singapore branch building. Singapore: Singapore Institute of Architects. Call Retrieved from Bank of China website. Act of 1966 for the explicit purpose of urban Centre. When it was completed in 2011, OUB no.: RSING 720.95957 CON; Urban Redevelopment 30 Powell, 2000, p. 30; Lim, E. H. (1989, March 1). CityDev renewal.32 From the two land acquisition Centre was renamed One Raffles Place.40 Authority (Singapore), 1995, p. 158. bags last Republic Plaza site for $17m. The Straits exercises in the Golden Shoe area in 1975 and An index ranking released by the 12 Singapore Institute of Architects, 1998, p. 45; Beamish, J., Times, p. 27; Lee, H. S. (1987, December 3). Republic & Ferguson, J. (1985). A history of Singapore architecture: Plaza project takes off with land sale. The Business 1980, a total of 220 lots, amounting to nearly London-based research firm Z/Yen Group The making of a city (p. 167). Singapore: G. Brash. Call Times, p. 18. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 36,000 sq m, were gazetted for acquisition. in April 2016 revealed that Singapore has no.: RSING 722.4095957 BEA; Urban Redevelopment 31 Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore), 1995, p. 18. These lots ranged from 186 to 372 sq m, and overtaken Hong Kong as the world’s third- Authority (Singapore), 1995, pp. 153–155. 32 Dale, 1999, pp. 144–147. most were located at Cecil Street, Market best financial centre, behind London and 13 Test drilling now at new OCBC site. (1970, August 23). The Straits 33 Chua, 1989, pp. 57–59, 69. Street and Raffles Place. New York.41 With the recent referendum Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chua, 1989, p. 57; 34 Chua, 1989, pp. 59–63. Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore), 1995, p. 154. 35 Ministry of National Development, 4 Oct 1988; Gradual phase Following these acquisitions, the sites in the UK to exit from the European Union, 14 $100 mil OCBC Centre opens today. (1976, October out. (1997, April 4). The Straits Times, p. 38; Tan, H. Y. (1997, were then amalgamated into bigger parcels and London’s somewhat shaky position as 1). The Business Times, p. 12. Retrieved from April 4). No more dirt cheap rent. The Straits Times, p. 38; before being released to private developers a financial hub, Singapore looks set to move NewspaperSG; Beamish & Ferguson, 1985, pp. 164–165. Bill introduced to abolish rent control. (2001, February 24). through land sales programmes. Some of up a notch in the rankings of world’s best 15 Powell, R. (2000). Singapore: Architecture of a global The Business Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. city (p. 28). Singapore: Archipelago Press. Call no.: 36 Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (1991). the buildings that rose from these sales financial centres. RSING 720.959570904 POW; Chua, 1989, pp. 69, 89. Living the next lap: Towards a tropical city of excellence included Cecil House and GB Building in Given the unrelenting pace of rede- 16 Chua, 1989, p. 72. (pp. 17, 20). Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority. Cecil Road, and Tat Lee Bank Building and velopment and renewal in Singapore’s CBD 17 Singapore Institute of Architects, 1998, pp. 63, 72; Call no.: RSING 307.36095957 LIV; Seek, N. H., et. al. UOB Building in Raffles Place.33 area, the building hardware at least – cast Fong, L. (1971, May 29). Signing of $36 m contract (2016). Singapore's real estate: 50 years of transformation Land was also acquired to cater for in concrete and encased in shiny steel and marks a new era. The Straits Times, p. 8; Retrieved (pp. 84–86). Singapore: World Scientific. Call no.: (Top) This panoramic view shows how Singapore’s Central Business District has expanded beyond the Golden from NewspaperSG. RSING 333.3095957 SIN; Ching T. Y., & Ng, B. (2008, infrastructural improvements, and these Shoe boundary to include the newly reclaimed 360-acre Marina Bay downtown precinct with its glittering shimmering glass, and often flaunting 18 Chua, 1989, p. 72; Capital Tower gets two anchor tenants. (2000, July–August). Realising the Marina Bay Vision. Skyline. ranged from small strips of land to large maze of steel, concrete and glass high-rises. Photo by Richard W. J. Koh. world-class architects and designers – April 25). The Straits Times, p. 60; GIC agrees to lease 40% of Retrieved from Urban Redevelopment Authority website. plots. The smaller acquisitions were utilised (Above) Reclamation works in the Marina Bay area began from the 1970s onwards, even as the Golden seems ready to face the challenges of the Capital Tower: Sources. (1999, September 22). The Business 37 Seek, 2016, pp. 84–86; Ee, E. (2013). At the forefront: Shoe area was being developed. © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved. mainly for road improvement projects (Cecil next 50 years. Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; CapitaLand Leading the new downtown (pp. 26–27, 45–47, 67–71). Limited. (2010, February). Singapore’s first intelligent building Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. Call no.: RSING Street, Collyer Quay and Battery Road), or turns 10. Retrieved from CapitaLand website. 307.34216095957 EE 34 the creation of bus bays. Larger acquisi- put in motion following the sale of the first Shenton and SGX (Singapore Exchange) 19 Dale, 1999, p. 143. 38 Chan, F. (2007, January 6). 70% of One Shenton units snapped tions, including the 1928 Mercantile Bank land parcel there in 2001.36 Some of the key Centre respectively.38 Notes 20 Dale, 1999, pp. 143–144; Chua, 1989, pp. 23–25; up on first day. The Straits Times, p. 79. Retrieved from Building, were made for projects like the developments that arose in quick succession The DBS and CPF buildings were sold 1 Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Subsidiary Ministry of National Development, 4 Oct 1988. NewspaperSG; United Industrial Corporation Limited. (2012). construction of the Raffles Place Mass Rapid include One Raffles Quay; The Sail @ Marina to new developers and are currently being Legislation Supplement. (1970, February 25). The 21 The Straits Times, 28 Feb 1970, p. 1; Dale, 1999, p. 144. The grandeur of the past. Retrieved from United Industrial 1969 (Commencement) Notification (S 61/1970, p. 117). 22 Tan, L. (1971, October 23). New look for Collyer Quay. Corporation Limited website; Rashiwala, K. (2001, August 3). Transit (MRT) station. Bay condominium; and the Marina Bay Finan- developed into mixed-use projects compris- Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 348.5957 SGGSLS; Chia, New Nation, p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; SGX to begin moving to Unity Towers later this year: Sources. cial Centre, comprising three office towers, ing offices, serviced apartments and retail P., et. al. (1970, February 28). Golden Shoe. The Straits Straits Times Annual, 1972, 148; Chua, 1989, p. 57. The Business Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 23 Campbell, W. (1970, March 3). All set for the big build-up. 39 Ramchandani, N. (2016, March 12). New concepts Blurring of Boundaries an underground mall and two condominium spaces. In Collyer Quay, Ocean Building was Times, p. 1; The ‘decontrol’ area is a ‘golden shoe’. (1970, towers. To bring life and recreation to this torn down to make way for the 43-storey February 28). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from The Straits Times, p. 8; Multi-storey Straits Trading building at Downtown Gallery beckon. The Business Times. in its final stage. (1972, April 3). The Straits Times, p. 30. Retrieved from Factiva; Urban Redevelopment Authority. As Golden Shoe developed into a modern area, the casino-resort Marina Bay Sands, Ocean Financial Centre, while the Change NewspaperSG; Ministry of National Development (1988, October 4). Government announces measures to phase Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chua, 1989, p. 57. (2016). Clifford Pier, former Customs Harbour Branch business and financial hub, its boundaries Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay Alley Aerial Plaza, together with Clifford out rent control [Press release]. Retrieved from National 24 Beamish & Ferguson, 1985, pp. 81–82; The Business Building and Change Alley Aerial Plaza. Retrieved from became less distinct. To a large extent, this were constructed.37 Pier and the former Customs Harbour Archives of Singapore website. Times, 5 Jun 1979, p. 2; How new Chartered Bank will look. Urban Redevelopment Authority website; The Fullerton was attributed to the phasing out of rent With new landmarks sprouting up Branch building (or Customs House), were 2 Chua, B. H. (1989). The Golden Shoe: Building Singapore’s (1980, September 15). New Nation, p. 14; Bank likely to pay Heritage. (2014). About the Fullerton Heritage. Retrieved controls, a process that began in 1988 and in the Marina Bay downtown area, older conserved as a heritage precinct offering financial district (pp. 31, 40). Singapore: Urban Redevelopment $3ms-$4m to tenants. (1980, July 8). The Straits Times, p. 9; from The Fullerton Heritage website. Authority. Call no.: RSING 711.5522095957 CHU. Seah, R. (1981, December 16). JDC wins Chartered job. The 40 OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust. (2014). 35 39 ended with total abolishment in 2001. By buildings in the former Golden Shoe area cafes and restaurants. 3 Chua, 1989, pp. 37–40, 49–54; Liu, G. (1999). Business Times, p. 1; Tan, A. (1979, November 22). Exciting Annual report 2014. Retrieved from OUE Commercial then, plans to expand the business district responded with a new makeover plan. In Ocean Union House was also demol- Singapore: A pictorial history 1819–2000 (pp. 61, 112). times at Singapore Land. The Business Times, p. 11. Real Estate Investment Trust website; One Raffles Place. into the newly reclaimed 360-acre Marina Shenton Way, for example, Robina House, ished and on its site now stands OUE Bay- Singapore: Archipelago Press in association with the Retrieved from NewspaperSG; P&T Group. (n.d.). History. (n.d.). Construction progresses at OUB Tower 2, designed Bay downtown area were well underway. UIC Building and Shing Kwan Building front. In Raffles Place, a new Straits Trading National Heritage Board. Call no.: RSING 959.57 LIU Retrieved from P&T Group website. by Kenzo Tange’s son. Retrieved from One Raffles Place 25 A $20 m office complex in the heart of city. (1972, website; Straits Trading Building. (n.d.). Straits Trading Led by URA’s Marina Bay Develop- were demolished and replaced with the Building was built on the site of the old 4 Singapore. Housing Development Board. (1965). 50,000 up: Homes for the people (p. 30). Singapore: January 8). New Nation, p. 12; Mok, S. P. (1974, July Building. Retrieved from Straits Trading Building website. ment Agency, the new downtown core was One Shenton condominium, a residential- building in 2009, while a second 38-storey Housing Development Board. Call no.: RCLOS 13). Business starts at UOB's $20m home. The Straits 41 Koh, J. (2016, April 9). Singapore ‘third-best financial mapped out in the 1991 Concept Plan and cum-commercial development called V office tower was added to the existing OUB 363.585095957 SIN; Chua, 1989, p. 11. Times, p. 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. centre’. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva.

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“If I showed up in a feminine dress like countless obstacles in order to pursue their 1 (Facing page) Han Sai Por’s “20 Tonnes – Physical this, people don’t believe I’m a sculptor!” artistic passions. From sourcing of mate- Consequences” (2002) currently stands in front of rials and seeking funds and opportunities the National Museum of Singapore. It is made up of – Elsie Yu to exhibit their works, to struggling with six granite blocks and cost about $20,000 to create. competing priorities and the challenges Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore. of being an artist in a monetised capital- (Left) Dora Gordine working on the head of a child in her studio at Dorich House, London, c.1950s. National ist society, these are all admittedly not Monuments Record, English Heritage, Swindon. All gender-specific issues. They are issues rights reserved, Black, J., & Martin, B. (2007). Dora that all artists face – regardless of gender. Gordine: Sculptor, Artist, Designer. London: Dorich Soft Hands Whether the medium is granite, bronze, In spite of these obstacles, women House Museum, Kingston University in association steel or clay, the art of shaping, moulding with Philip Wilson Publishers. sculptors in Singapore, from Kim Lim but and chiselling the material into a sculptural (Below) Bronze sculptures of a Malay head (left) and to Kumari Nahappan, have carved out work of art demands more than brute Chinese head (right) by Dora Gordine were commis- certain success from whatever materials sioned for the Singapore Municipal Building in the early wstrength. Yet, some hold the view that the they could lay their hands on. The fruits 20th century. All rights reserved, Black, J., & Martin, art form requires certain masculine quali- of their labour stand in public, private and B. (2007). Dora Gordine: Sculptor, Artist, Designer. ties in order to bend, carve or shape even London: Dorich House Museum, Kingston University commercial spaces – a testament to the the most malleable of materials into what in association with Philip Wilson Publishers. Steely Hearts grit and gumption as well as the creative may be deemed a “feminine” sculpture. talents of a small but influential group of What does gender have to do with art? The women sculptors in Singapore. Women and Their Art question was raised by Susie Lingham in the Text & Subtext forum in 2000: From Decoration to Art “In sports events, men and Records show that a pioneer exhibition of women’s events are separated on women’s work was held in October 1931 at the argument that men have more the Young Women’s Christian Association physical strength. But in art, is there A coterie of women sculptors in Singapore has in Singapore. Works of artistic merit were a necessity to set up another ring grouped together along with “useful” crafts. successfully redefined this once male-dominated for women artists to wrestle for A newspaper notice for the exhibition states relevance in the art world? Is this art form. Nadia Arianna Bte Ramli tells you more. that it included “all kinds of sewing, em- not a way of marginalising women?”2 broidery, art work, photography, cooking… by the young married women who are just Women sculptors around the world, beginning to realise the delights of making orative or decorative in nature, Gordine’s taking part in exhibitions. One such teacher including those in Singapore, have wrestled artistic and useful things”.3 In those early works of “pure art” were indeed welcome was Mrs A. Gunaratnam. A former teacher days, art by women seemed to be largely acquisitions. Today, these sculptures can be at Raffles Girls’ School, one of her plaster decorative in nature and merely a leisurely found in the Singapore Gallery of the NGS. sculptures fetched the highest price for an pursuit by women with time on their hands. Beyond the Western community of artwork at a 1950 Singapore Art Society In the 1930s, a European sculptor by artists, annual art exhibitions such as those exhibition.8 Priced at $500, this was a very the name of Dora Gordine lived and worked held by the Singapore Art Society drew respectable sum of money in those days for in Singapore and Johor. During her time local artists to the fore. On 22 September an artwork by a relatively unknown person. here, she was commissioned to create 1955, the society held the first art show Mrs Gunaratnam was one of the very three sculptures for the Municipal Build- by Malayan women artists: altogether 60 few women sculptors in Singapore then, ing (later renamed as the City Hall until its compositions from 42 women from Malaya having begun exhibiting her works since recent reincarnation as the National Gallery and Singapore were selected from 120 1948. Her talent did not go unnoticed – she Singapore [NGS] together with the Supreme artistic submissions. Mrs Dorothy Bordass, sat on the selection committee for a 1951 Court building next door). chairman of the organising committee, was art exhibition, alongside local pioneer art- The sculptures were of three heads hopeful that the endeavor would encourage ist Liu Kang and the last British Director depicting an Indian, a Chinese and a Malay.4 artistic expressions of local subject matter of the Raffles Museum in Singapore, Dr These bronze busts were crafted in the by local talents: Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill.9 One of her classical tradition of “universal and ideal- sculptured portrait busts, “Mavis – A Study” ised human forms” in three-dimensional “The number of entries and the (1950), was described by the art historian T. style.5 The purchase of these art works for excellent, creative quality of K. Sabapathy as remarkable for the time, the Municipal Building was described as a individual canvases indicate that with her attention to both anatomical details watershed event: “the first time in the history Malaya’s women artists are finding and characterisation.10 Mrs Gunaratnam’s of this Colony that the acquisition of a subject encouragement in self-expression reputation grew, and her statues and sculp- of pure art has been realised”.6 in local subject matter. Art can offer tures were even bought by private collectors Coming at a time when most of the Malaya’s women rewarding careers. in India and England. sculptures in the colony took the form of Very little has been done so far to While women artists were progres- busts or statues, and were largely commem- encourage artistic expression… sively moving beyond the home and expand- It is our hope that women artists ing their artistic horizons, some were still thus will be encouraged to advance caught in a bind between domestic respon- Nadia Arianna Bte Ramli is an Associate their talents.”7 sibilities and their artistic inclinations. Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. At a women-only art exhibition in 1975, She works with the arts collections, focusing Art teachers and students were held in celebration of International Women’s on literary and visual arts. encouraged to showcase their talents by Year, some artists believed that women had

24 25 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature finally achieved complete independence Text & Subtext and artist collectives such At the opening of the first exhibition enhances it as a commercial product its biennial Singapore Sculpture Award is while others felt that, unlike their male as Women In The Arts (WITAS)16 and 5th dedicated to sculptural works in 1967, then and commodity.”19 one such example of a private corporation counterparts, some women had to sacri- Passage Artists Ltd. While these initiatives deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye called shaping the visibility and appreciation of fice their artistic ambitions and turn their were not art-form specific, women sculptors on artists to “organise a little movement to Women sculptors were thus venturing sculpture in Singapore.21 attention to the home and the needs of the also benefitted from the focus on the rep- kindle the country’s interest in sculptured into what was a relatively small space in CapitaLand, one of the largest real family first.11 This tension between social resentation and network of women artists art” that “could give life and beauty to the the arts scene. The hefty cost of creating estate companies in Singapore, has commis- responsibilities and individual expression they could tap into. With diverse dialogues vast bareness of the city”.18 Fast forward sculptural exhibitions may be (and still is) sioned public art for display at its commercial is a continued source of conversation for and initiatives, women’s art and issues took 15 years later to 1982, Sabapathy noted the a strain for some. 1995 Cultural Medallion and residential premises. Its first work of art women working on sculpture and heavy art shape within the community. continued interest in painting over sculpture: recipient Han Sai Por’s “20 Tonnes – Physical was Han’s large-scale sculptural installa- installation works even until today.12 Consequences” (2002) cost about $20,000 tion, “Shimmering Pearls” (2000) at Capital 22 Shaping Interests “It has been 15 years since the first to create, while construction costs alone for Tower in the heart of the financial district. A Collective Consciousness national exposition. This neglect Elsie Yu’s “Towards Excellence” (1987) was With corporate commissions, sculptors are Sculpture as an art form in Singapore has is a symptom of the condition of a whopping $80,000.20 able to work more freely on a more ambitious In 2001, a cross-cultural collaboration generally been a less-travelled terrain in sculpture here. There is little doubt While government initiatives such scale. However, because such commissioned Square, which opened in 1999, served exhibition, “Women Beyond Borders”, comparison with other art forms such as that it is secondary to painting, which as the Public Sculpture Masterplan 2000 works tend to be awarded to well-known this very purpose. Its inaugural exhibi- with its aim to establish a community of painting and pottery. Sabapathy described dominates the art world here. The (and the more recent Public Art Trust) have sculptors, new and emerging talents run the tion, “Provocative Things”, highlighted women’s voices and visions, ended its the entry of sculpture into the local art demands of the art market have sought to ease these costs and allow artists risk of being ignored, irrespective of gender. conventional sculptural works and more world tour with its Singapore exhibition. world as “rather timid and inconspicuous”, only served to entrance the primacy to concentrate on their work, private organi- Creating dedicated spaces to show- abstract sculptural installations. Chng Initiated by a group of American women first appearing sporadically in the 1950s in of painting. The portable picture is sations are also important stakeholders in case three-dimensional art was the next Seok Tin’s “Kuantan Boat Song” (1999), with artists, “Women Beyond Borders: Singa- expositions that were otherwise dedicated mobile and seemingly self-effacing in promoting the appreciation of sculpture as step in engendering public interest and coconut husks cast in bronze, and Kumari pore” was primarily a women’s project. to paintings.17 that it is absorbed into the wall. This an art form. City Developments Limited and encouraging the art form. Sculpture Nahappan’s “precisely…..360” (1999), an It saw established women artists as well installation of found objects, made of both as female members of the public creating natural and man-made material, fell into (Left) “Soaring Vision”, a 13-metre high bronze and stainless steel sculpture by Elsie Yu once stood sculptures, specifically, transforming a at the Marina City Park. This is Yu’s interpretation of Singapore’s aspirations. Ministry of Information the latter category. pinewood box, measuring a mere 2.5 by and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. In 2001, the formation of the Sculpture 3 by 2.5 inches, into a work of art.13 The (Below) Han Sai Por at work on one of her sculptures. She was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1995. All Society, led by Han, further advanced the exhibition’s focus was “not on account that rights reserved, Han, S. P. (2013). Moving Forest. Singapore: Singapore Tyler Print Institute. development and appreciation of sculpture (Bottom) Chng Seok Tin with sculptures from her “Life Like Chess” exhibition in 2001. Photo was taken they are women that alone made such work in Marina Bay against the Central Business District. Courtesy of Chng Seok Tin. through a tight-knit community of passion- 23 invaluable, but because largely owing to (Top right) Jessie Lim’s ceramic sculpture, “Infinity” (2012), is a departure from her spiral sculptural ate sculptors. the theme, they reveal nuggets of thoughts ceramics. Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. 14 and insights on themselves as women”. Labours of Love At the Singapore edition of the exhibi- tion, now leading artists such as Kumari It cannot be denied that for sculptures that Nahappan, Yvonne Lim and Suzann Victor emphasise a certain size, some physical were but a few of the women who created strength is called for when working with small but powerful sculptures from the the material. In a society given to using boxes they were handed out. This global gender-related terms, such works have been inquiry of what it meant to be a woman described as “masculine”. Elsie Yu’s “Joyous through art drew attention to the larger Rivers” (1987), with curves of architectural liberties afforded to women across national steel that mimic the flow of life-giving river, boundaries, providing a united yet diverse has a massive base area of 27.9 sq m and voice for the effort. reaches 10 m at its highest point. When it A decade earlier, art by women and was first unveiled at the opening ceremony of about women was also the focus of the Clean Rivers Commemoration ’87, the press landmark 1991 National Museum Art Gallery viewed her work as “most masculine”.24 Even exhibition, “Women and Their Art”, curated so, Yu’s metal sculptures, such as her 1992 by Susie Koay. It was a defining moment for work "Soaring Vision", also embody a certain the women’s art scene in Singapore, given sense of the feminine, with their fluid lines that the last all-female exhibition was held and refinement. more than 30 years ago. Diana Chua’s sculp- The exploration of the feminine and ture of a female torso, “In Between No.11”, masculine binary cuts through a number of wrapped in mirror shards beneath a veneer sculptures, pushing the boundaries of what of gauze, veered away from the conventional an artwork by a female artist would look sensuality of smooth torsos and curved, like. Early ceramic sculptures by Jessie Lim, inviting forms. This juxtaposition between described as having a mix of the “natural and hard and soft, and male and female, was just metaphysical”, seem to question this binary: one of the many artworks that redefined “the stereotyped image of the female artist as “Some people tell me, ‘your work was one who paints pretty things” to “a serious neither feminine nor masculine – you artist of serious issues”.15 don’t know who made it.’ I like that. I A growing community of women art- like that they can stand on their own.”25 ists, though not necessarily feminist artists – there is a difference – was further shaped Hard and heavy materials, such as by art forums such as Huangfu Binghui’s granite and marble, are challenging for both

26 27 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature male and female sculptors to manipulate visually does not necessarily relate to people…If you intentionally pursue by the Land Transport Authority for Marina Romanian-born Singaporean sculptor Delia Prvacki posing in front of her sculpture titled “7 Days” (2006), a into their desired shape and form. However, natural phenomena, my inspiration is perfection in art, then art would South Pier MRT Station, Prvacki pulled composite of seven pieces made of glass reinforced concrete (GRC) with metallic sub-frames and handmade granite is a favourite medium of Han Sai often derived from natural rhythms, become dull and useless!”33 together the “divergent inspirations” of mosaics. Courtesy of Delia Prvacki. Por's and constitutes a considerable part of such as the human pulse, or by visually nearly 2,000 participants in this ambitious 29 37 her oeuvre. Her works are often inspired by rhythmic things, such as vertebrae.” Natural Themes work of public art. nature, but “… not a slavish representation Representations and abstractions of of visual form”, rather being able “to make Her stone sculptures, “Flow” (1982) and Some of the early artworks by Romanian- nature figure strongly in Kumari Nahap- the subtle and small large and true to the “Gobi” (1982), which were shown in a 1984 born Singaporean sculptor Delia Prvacki, pan’s sculptures too. While she engages stature of life’s enormous possibilities”.26 exhibition at the National Museum Art Gal- who works with materials such as bronze, in painting, mixed media and installation Han’s marble work, “Growth” (1985), lery, Singapore, were described as a “joint glass fibre reinforced concrete, and ceram- art, it is Nahappan’s larger than life bronze shows sensitivity in controlling and manipu- venture: the balanced results of the willed ics, included motifs of nature. With a body sculptures of vibrant red capsicums “Pedas- lating the material, “effect[ing] these stone and unwilled forces upon raw materials”.30 of work spanning over 40 years, Prvacki’s Pedas”38 (2006) behind the National Museum surfaces with subtle, tactile nuances”.27 Her Her quiet approach was ahead of its time, works include quiet, intimate pieces as well of Singapore, the supersized saga seed working relationship with materials has been given that the Singapore art scene during as bold and dramatic public installations. “Saga” (2007) at Singapore Changi Airport described as loving and sympathetic, as she this period was more about figuration or For Prvacki, art is more than just an Terminal 3 and “Nutmeg & Mace” (2009) seeks to understand the characteristics of the representational, and other “colourful expression of the natural environment. at ION Orchard that the public are most the materials. Instead of controlling and noises” of the time.31 With this, Kim Lim Her public sculpture project, "Plein Air" familiar with. “fighting” hard materials like stone – as etched her name as one of the pioneer (2006), was interactive and integrative with Saga seeds feature prominently in male sculptors are wont to do – she works contemporary women artists in Singapore. its surroundings. The sculptures were Nahappan’s works. Sculptural works with the natural curves and edges of the For 2005 Cultural Medallion recipient meant to look like they were “deposited by such as “Multiples” (2000) and “Saga” stone, allowing the natural formations to Chng Seok Tin, sculpture was “regarded as the ebb and flow of the ocean” and “had to (2007), which draw on the “potency” of inspire the shape and order of each art something of a rebirth” as she expanded appear natural in the landscape, like they saga seeds, “loop back to the artist’s child- piece.28 Han’s recent works have included her artistic repertoire to the tactile art form were born there”.34 Her earlier stonework, hood… [and] … to the garden – a primary paper-pulp media and printmaking, while following her untimely loss of sight in 1988.32 “Grass Movement” (1993), articulated the resource and locus for inaugurating her alongside other forms of visual arts in private at the Esplanade concourse from August still exploring and examining nature, such Chng began as a printmaker but has had a more untamed nature of beauty with the art”.39 The intense red colour of these and public art galleries in Singapore. 2015 to January 2016.41 as products of the forest, including seeds hand in installation work as well. Constantly horn-shaped pieces growing wildly out of seeds is characteristic of her oeuvre. Commissions of public art also con- Sculptures, particularly public sculp- and pods. exploring different ways of “making art”, the ground.35 Her early sculptures, such as “Maia Two” tinue to ensure the visibility of sculptural tures, are meaningful only when they are Kim Lim, an early Singaporean female Chng writes: Her more recent installation “Mine (2005), have deep red hues and are named art in the Singapore landscape. As part considered in the context of their surround- sculptor, has attempted to distil the essence and Rare Earths” (2010) dealt with the after stars, which Sabapathy describes as of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebra- ings. In much the same way, despite the of nature and time into her stone sculptures. “Well then, what is art? What is environment differently, exploring the “embody[ing] kernels of energy”. 40 tions in 2015, three new public sculptures seemingly static nature of their works, Shunning labels, she once shared in a 1981 good art? Are the works in world relationship between raw materials and were commissioned to mark the occasion. women sculptors in Singapore have always interview that given her Asian heritage and class art museums considered first ores drawn from the earth and their impact Sculpture Today Departing from her signature stonework, been adapting to their environments, carv- background, her inspirations are vastly dif- class objet d’art? After travelling on new technologies and the global econ- Han Sai Por, the sole female sculptor ing a space for themselves and proving that ferent from the traditions of the minimalists: and seeing so much, I have become omy.36 “Under the broad themes of nature, While Sculpture Square has since ceased who won a commission, created a mono- it takes more than sheer physical strength unsure myself! All I know is that I the environment of the city and nation- operations as a dedicated space for sculp- chromatic sculptural installation called to turn a hunk of granite into a sublime “I am far more motivated by the am devoted to art making, and I do building”, the massive mural, “Singapore tures, the art form has found its place firmly “Harvest” (2015), which took pride of place sculptural art form. organic and by nature. Although my not really care if my works adhere Tapestry” (2015), was a community-based work is entirely abstract and perhaps to the aesthetic standards of most artwork guided by Prvacki. Commissioned Notes May, 2001 (p. 3). Singapore: Sculpture Square. Call no.: 26 Tan, 2011, pp. 64–67. 1 De Souza, J. (1987, October 28). Elsie Yu: Lady of steel. RSING 730.95957 WOM 27 Kwok, 1996, p. 126. The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 14 Wong, S. (2001). Rib-in man: An imaginative journey of a 28 Sabapathy, 1991, pp.40–42. (Left) “Nutmeg & Mace” (2009) by Kumari Nahappan is 2 Nayar, P. (2000, June 24). ART the Asian woman. The box. In Women beyond borders: Singapore: Sculpture, 29 Barnes, R. (1981, November 24). Of an artist and the tempo of a two-tonne bronze sculpture installed at the outdoor Business Times, p. 19. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 7 March–13 May, 2001 (p. 5). Singapore: Sculpture life. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. space of Ion Orchard shopping mall in the heart of 3 Exhibition of women’s work. (1931, September 26). Square. Call no.: RSING 730.95957 WOM 30 National Museum Art Gallery (Singapore). (1976). Orchard Road. All rights reserved, Sabapathy, T. K. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 15 Wong, S. (1991, August 15). Of women by women. The National Museum Art Gallery: Singapore & Malaysia art (2013). Fluxion: Art & Thoughts: Kurmari Nahappan. (1884–1942), p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. exhibitions. Singapore: National Museum Art Gallery. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. 4 Singapore Art Museum. (1998). Imaging selves: 16 Heng, A. (2011). Singapore contemporary artists series: Call no.: RCLOS O575 (Below) Kumari Nahappan working on the patina for a Singapore Art Museum collection exhibition series Amanda Heng: Speak To Me, Walk With Me. Singapore: 31 Nayar, P. (1999, December 18). Remembering Kim Lim. sculpture in Ayutthaya, Thailand, 2006. All rights re- 1998–1999 (p. 23). Singapore: Singapore Art Museum. Singapore Art Museum. Call no.: RSING 709.2 HEN The Business Times, p. 22. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. served, Sabapathy, T. K. (2013). Fluxion: Art & Thoughts: Call no.: RSING 759.95 IMA 17 Sabapathy, T. K. (1991). Sculpture in Singapore (p. 22). 32 Zhuang, X. (2011). Uncommon wisdom: Works by Chng Kurmari Nahappan. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. 5 Kwok, K. C. (1996). Channels and confluence: A history Singapore: National Museum. Call no.: RSING 730.95957 SAB Seok Tin from 1966–2011 (p. 27). Singapore: Nanyang of Singapore art (p. 31). Singapore: Singapore Art 18 Dr Toh’s call to kindle interest in sculpture. (1967, April 22). Academy of Fine Arts. Call no.: 709.5957 ZHU Museum. Call no.: RSING 709.5957 KWO The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 33 Chng, S. T. (2011). A flower, yet not a flower. In 6 Dora Gordine’s sculpture. (1931, January 30). The 19 Sabapathy, T. K. (1991, November 15). Carving a niche. Uncommon wisdom: Works by Chng Seok Tin from Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 1966–2011 (pp. 18–19). Singapore: Nanyang Academy of 7 42 Malayan women enter art show. (1955, August 11). The 20 Sim, A. (2002, March 15). Living stones. The Straits Fine Arts. Call no.: 709.5957 ZHU Singapore Free Press, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 34 Chow, C. (2007, January 18). Putting art out in the open. 8 S’pore teachers’ art show. (1950, October 23). The 21 Jacob, J. (2007, January 26). CityDev unveils its first The Straits Times, p. 53. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Singapore Free Press, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. public artwork. The Business Times, p. 10. Retrieved 35 Wong, S. (1993, July 6). Back to nature. The Straits 9 Colony art show in Oct. (1951, September 25). The from NewspaperSG Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 22 Wong, H. W. F. (2015) CapitaLand: The art of building 36 The Esplanade Theatre Co. Ltd. (2016) Construction Site 2016. 10 Sabapathy, T. K. (1990, April 12). New approach but no gems. communities. Singapore: CapitaLand Limited. Call no.: Retrieved from Esplanade Theatres on the Bay website. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. RSING 709.5957 WON 37 Prvacki, D. (2015). Marina South Pier Mural 2015. 11 Chew, M.-L. (1975, June 24). Woman artists show their colours. 23 Sculpture Society (Singapore). (2016). Welcome Retrieved from Marina South Pier Mural 2015 website. The Straits Times, p.10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. to Sculpture Society (Singapore). Retrieved from 38 Pedas is Malay for “spicy”. 12 Sian, E. J. (1999, April 24). Is there such a thing as Sculpture Society (Singapore) website. 39 Sabapathy, T. K. (2013). Fluxion: Art & thoughts: Kumari women’s art? The Straits Times, p. 9; De Souza, J. 24 Tan, J. (1987, August 30). Elsie’s joy in steel a sure eye-grabber. Nahappan (pp. 120–124). Singapore: Editions Didier (1987, October 28). Elsie Yu: Lady of steel. The Straits The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Millet. Call no.: RSING 709.5957 SAB Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 25 Tan, B. T. (2011). Women artists in Singapore (pp. 40 Sabapathy, 2013, p. 123. 13 Fan, J. (2001). Something out of nothing? In Women 98–99). Singapore: Select Publishing. Call no.: RSING 41 Shetty, D. (2015, August 18). Sculptures for SG50. The beyond borders: Singapore: Sculpture, 7 March–13 704.042095957 TAN Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva.

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River, and scattered all over a rapidly urbanised island. We have been transformed from a people who lived in low-rise dwellings close to the land, organised in what urban Public Housing development specialist Charles Goldblum termed a “relatively traditional Asian habi- tat”, to a people who live in cookie-cutter and unapologetically modernist public housing, perfectly at ease with the idea Private Lives of living 15, 20 or more storeys in the air.1 Almost everyone moves house at least once in their lives; everyone knows how to use a Incredibly, people living in some of the first one-room flats had to share lift and a rubbish chute; everyone is used their toilets and kitchens with strangers. Yu-Mei Balasingamchow to looking down at the tallest trees in the neighbourhood. tells you how far public housing has come since 1960. We are not alone. Hong Kong and major cities in South Korea and China have become just as densely packed with resi- dential high-rises in the last few decades, 1-ROOM IMPROVED I moved into a Housing and Development In the 17 years since, I’ve lived in five if not more so than Singapore, while other Yu-Mei Balasingamchow is the co-author Board (HDB) flat for the first time in the different HDB flats – all of which are or of Singapore: A Biography (2009) and works cities across Asia and North America are late 1990s. It was a 10-year-old flat in a were older than that first one. Over years on history, art and culture projects. She has sprouting residential skyscrapers in the cosy estate in the east – nice and windy, of viewing countless HDB flats of varying curated exhibitions for the National Museum i same vein. Yet as psychologist Robert receiving hardly any afternoon sun and vintages, whether visiting friends or as of Singapore and is currently curatorial ­Gifford notes, “given the age of our species, consultant for the revamp of Memories at Old within walking distance of an MRT sta- a prospective tenant or buyer, I’ve often living more than a few storeys up is a very Ford Factory. She is also a fiction writer. Her tion. Perhaps, most remarkably, from the wondered what it is about the design and recent phenomenon”.2 website is http://www.toomanythoughts.org common corridor outside my front door on architecture of a flat that makes it feel Human beings have been clustering the 11th floor, I had a partially unblocked welcoming and home-like. within urban settlements since the Neolithic view of the surroundings, which consisted I’ve also wondered about the social and BA Revolution about 12,500 years ago, but while CORRIDOR mostly of low-rise buildings all the way to environmental impact of high-rise living in we have been building massive monuments WC the sea, a glimmering slate-blue strip on an increasingly crowded island. Over one and landmarks for over a millennia, it is only ROOM the far horizon. generation, from the 1960s to the 90s, we in the last century or so that we have been have been uprooted from homes mostly in KIT living en masse in buildings taller than five or near the city centre and the Singapore storeys. Sociologists, psychologists, archi- tects and urbanists are still mulling over the long-term implications of this phenomenon, which range from the behavioural and the political to the philosophical. (Facing page) New flat dwellers waiting for then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew during his constituency tours of Tiong Bahru, Delta and Havelock housing estates in 1963. Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Building Fast and Furious: 1960–1965 (Top) Before people moved to high-rise HDB flats, some lived in decrepit shophouses like these on Hock Lam Street (c.1940s). When the occupants moved to HDB flats, they brought with them the habit of In Singapore, high-rise residential hous- hanging laundry on bamboo poles suspended outside their windows. Courtesy of the National Museum ing took off when the HDB was formed on of Singapore, National Heritage Board. (Above left) Typical 1960s block plan and floorplan of a one-room (Improved) HDB flat with a floor area 1 February 1960 to replace the Singapore of 32.8 sq m. Improvement Trust (SIT), its colonial-era (Above right) HDB’s early flats typically contained a row of one- or two-room flats along both sides of predecessor in charge of public housing. a long corridor. Such corridors were poorly ventilated, received little natural lighting, and magnified The HDB acted quickly to address the noise. Courtesy of the blog ItchyFingers (https://myitchyfingers.wordpress.com/). ­severe housing shortage: the oft-cited, hoary statistic is that within the first three kitchen facilities were sometimes com- “One-room apartments in those days years of its formation, the HDB had con- munal. Imagine men and women from were really basic. Today, they would structed 21,232 units – “just shy of the each floor sharing the same two toilets, or be our slums… But that is how we 23,019 units that SIT had managed in its 32 Chinese and Malay housewives cooking in started the public housing to achieve years of operations.”3 By the end of 1965, the same communal kitchens. Difficult to the target numbers. Because in those HDB’s first five-year building programme imagine today, but this was the reality at the days target numbers were a more saw the completion of 53,000 new flats, time, according to former HDB architect important priority than the niceties 3,000 more than its intended target. Alan Choe in an oral history interview with that we can afford today…”5 Academic literature aside, people the National Archives of Singapore in 1997.4 today tend to forget that HDB’s apparent Such flats were poorly lit and cramped, HDB’s first five-year building pro- success during this period was in no small but also relatively easy and inexpensive to gramme also produced two- and three-room part due to its pragmatic focus on building build – an important consideration at a time rental flats. These were distributed along a “emergency” one-room flats, intended for when housing was urgently needed for low- single corridor in blocks that were between rental only. As the nomenclature suggests, income families suddenly displaced by fire five and 12 storeys tall. Although today we these were single-room units; toilet and or floods. As Choe recalls: tend to think of the HDB “common corridor”

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block should be from another, how many flats oral history interview with the National interesting, without exposing flats to the full should be built in each block or neighbour- Archives of Singapore in 1996, “You cannot intensity of the afternoon sun. The typical hood (thus determining the density of the cut off everything – like morning sun and guiding principle is to orientate the building estate), or the mix of residential, commercial late afternoon sun, we have to accept. We towards north-south, but as Liu pointed out, and industrial facilities in each estate. [can] cut out the sun during the day, when “Of course you cannot have 100 percent [of Even the room sizes and designs of it’s very hot.”11 flats] facing north-south. You have a certain the early one-, two- and three-room flats Similarly, HDB architects studied how percentage facing east-west.”13 The ques- were not strictly uniform. Flats sometimes windows and roofs could be redesigned so tion of how to mitigate the latter came to contained awkward L-shaped rooms or that residents would not have to close all be incorporated into HDB’s building plans; long corridors, which residents complained their windows when it rained. The latter for example, low-rise blocks might be built were a waste of space. There were rooms or was absolutely necessary in early HDB along an east-west orientation, but would toilets that didn’t ventilate directly into the flats because the rain would enter and wet be shaded by trees or taller blocks to limit exterior of the flat, which made the living the flat interior (this used to happen in the their exposure to the rising and setting sun. environment less than salubrious. kitchen of my Siglap flat). However, if all the As Singapore modernised and HDB Liu and his colleagues at HDB devel- windows were shut, the flats became stuffy estates became larger and more complex, oped new guidelines to standardise the and claustrophobic, particularly during the the human factors that affect comfort and building types, floor spaces, the number monsoon season when it pours heavily for liveability also came to bear. By 1983, for of rooms within each flat as well as room hours on end. example, Liu wrote that HDB’s approach to (Above) Newly erected two-room flats opposite Siglap Centre, the site of the former Siglap Market. The flats were built in 1963 to house residents of a sizes. They also applied principles of building HDB engineers found that if the rain- environmental design and building orienta- kampong on the same site that had been razed by fire. The cluster of five blocks will be demolished soon to make way for a new housing project.Ministry science to address the practical realities of water ran uninterrupted off the roof, it would tion was sensitive not only to the angle of of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. living in the tropics, taking into considera­ fall to the ground “like a bedsheet”, as Liu the sun and the wind direction, but also (Right) Kampong folks in the early 1960s loading their belongings onto a lorry and preparing for their move to high-rise living in HDB flats.Ministry of tion the prevailing winds, angle of the sun, described it, and this large “sheet” of water to the impact of external traffic noise. He Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. and various types of sun hoods and window would be sucked through an open window.12 described how high-rise buildings were hoods that could be built to shield the flats However, if the rainwater first fell from the shielded from road noise by locating low- as serving only one row of flats and looking True, by 21st-century standards the flat psychological and social disruption they must from the tropical heat. As Liu said in an roof onto an inclined plane, it would break rise buildings in front of them; the low-rise out into open space, those early flats often seemed small (it measured just 41 sq m). have experienced during the transition. That up into water droplets and then fall to the blocks in turn were shielded by “earth contained a row of one- or two-room flats But I was just one person; many accounts world seems all the more distant since the ground like scattered raindrops. These mounds” facing the road.14 along both sides of the corridor. Although from the 1960s tell of large families moving surviving blocks of one-room and two-room were less likely to be sucked through open Having low-rise buildings in a densely more economical to build, such corridors into such flats or smaller, along with the flats are not easy to spot today – obscured, windows, allowing residents to leave their inhabited estate served another important were poorly ventilated, received little natural possessions they had accumulated in more overshadowed and outnumbered as they windows open for ventilation when it rained. function: to maintain a sense of human lighting, and trapped or magnified noise.6 spacious kampong houses or shophouses. are by younger, larger and more attractive Another perennial consideration in scale in the built environment. Liu added In 2008, I moved into a two-room HDB Conceptually, of course, HDB residents blocks. Many have been demolished and HDB planning was (and still is) how to that while most HDB blocks ranged from flat in a cluster of five-storey blocks at Siglap, in the 1960s had to make far greater adjust- indeed, the flats at Siglap where I used to have an estate layout that is attractive and nine to 13 storeys in height, every precinct just opposite Siglap Centre, the site of the ments to the new-fangled features of flat live will be razed this year to make way for would also have some two- to four-storey former Siglap Market. The flats were built living. As Choe said in his interview, “In the a new housing project. (Left) The first HDB “point blocks” – at 20 or 25 blocks. Although he did not articulate it as in 1963 to house residents of a kampong on past you lived in your own ground, you build ­storeys high – were built in the late 1960s. In this such, there seems to have been an aware- the same site that had been razed by fire. your attap hut, you have grounds around, you HDB as a Way of Life: 1965–1975 photo taken at Bendemeer Road in the 1970s, the ness that while Singaporeans had become There were shops on the ground floor and a grow your chickens, you grow everything. “point blocks” tower over the surrounding rect­ accustomed to living in high-rise blocks, single staircase in each block (with no lifts). Suddenly you are put into a pigeonhole, one- Although the HDB continued to build angular “slab blocks”. In between the point blocks the environment would nonetheless benefit 7 is a row of low-rise shops. Courtesy of National About one-third of the units were HDB rental room apartment, two-room apartment.” one-room and two-room rental flats until Archives of Singapore. from having building heights that conformed flats; the rest were occupied by a mix of long- Choe described new flat-dwellers who 1982, its priorities clearly shifted from (Below) A mix of low-rise and high-rise HDB flats more closely to human proportions. time residents, who couldn’t imagine living didn’t know at first how to unlock their Naco the mid-1960s onwards “from speed and in Toa Payoh, with a playground in the foreground, This is the sort of thinking that has anywhere else, and newcomers like me. window louvres and complained to HDB expediency to amenity and quality”, as likely photographed in the late 1960s. Interspersing since become familiar in the work of archi- 9 buildings of different heights helped to maintain a Some of my friends were surprised that that these were faulty. Those used to living stated in its 1966 annual report. Since the sense of human scale in the environment. Courtesy tect Jan Gehl and others like him. They argue I had decided to rent such a small and barely in a kampong had to learn new habits for housing shortage had been resolved, HDB of the National Museum of Singapore, National that having a sense of human scale in the renovated flat. I was simply charmed by the dressing casually at home (since strangers could focus on building larger flats with Heritage Board. urban environment is precisely what draws flat’s privacy (it was a top-floor corner unit), might walk past the corridor and see the better designs in more optimally planned people to engage and participate in public its view overlooking the neighbourhood buzz occupants in various stages of undress) or housing estates. The late 1960s to the 70s and community life, and develop emotional at the corner of East Coast Road and Siglap buying food at the market (instead of growing thus saw the emergence of not only a much connections to a place. Road, and its classic fixtures like decora- their own food). Still others told of residents wider range of flats to cater to people of In spite of the most well-intentioned tive metal window grilles and the original who brought pigs and poultry from their different economic levels and household building or planning guidelines of the time, timber-framed front door with recessed kampong to their new flats, even teaching sizes, but also distinctive architecture not every HDB flat or estate could be built rectangle panels. the bewildered animals to climb the stairs. such as the “point block” design which, at to optimise this contemporary notion of Moreover, it was a cosy neighbourhood, There were also stories of elderly people 20 and later 25 storeys, towered over the urban liveability. I count myself lucky that with only four blocks of five storeys each, who lived on higher floors and felt “trapped” old rectangular “slab blocks”. I’ve had the opportunity to live in two housing and on a comforting human scale – a cha­ in their flats as they dared not use the lifts As it experimented with new designs, estates built in the 1970s that were favour- racteristic of first-generation HDB estates, for fear of breakdowns.8 the HDB was shifting to not only “build for ably designed. In both cases, they were which were often sited close to the city cen- Ultimately, the people who moved into shelter” but “build for good architecture”, high-rise blocks: in Marine Parade, I lived tre on whatever limited plots of land were HDB flats in the early 1960s – especially in the words of its former chief executive on the 18th floor of a common corridor flat available, not yet in sprawling new towns. those who were resettled against their will officer Liu Thai Ker.10 When Liu first joined that was blessed with a partial view of the Even the inconvenience of climbing up and – were often being uprooted from the only the HDB in 1969 as head of its new research East Coast Parkway and the sea; in Queens­ down five floors to get to my flat made real, means of livelihood, lifestyle and commu- and design section, he found that there were town I lived one floor higher, looking out at in terms of physical experience, the fact of nity that they had ever known. Over half a no design, building or planning guidelines other flats. While researching this essay, I high-rise living. century later, one cannot fully discount the to govern such things as how far one HDB also learned that the Queenstown block at

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Mei Ling Street was one of the first two HDB has been examined since the early years A spectacular view of the upmarket The Pinnacle@ of Recording No. 001891/18/7, p. 3]. Retrieved from “point blocks” ever constructed.15 of HDB. One distinctive feature that Duxton HDB flats juxtaposed with older 1970s-style National Archives of Singapore website. Both flats were on a north-south fac- has received particular attention is the flats at Everton Park (photographed in 2016).Photo 6 Wong & Guillot, 2005, p. 61. by Darren Soh. 7 Soh, E. K. (Interviewer). (1997, May 20). Oral history ing, well-ventilated (even during monsoonal common corridor, which was originally interview with Alan Choe Fook Cheong [Transcript downpours) and nestled among densely designed as a practical, cost-effective of Recording No. 001891/18/7, p. 11]. Retrieved from inhabited clusters of another 15 or so method of connecting flats in a building, – everyone knows that it’s not polite to let National Archives of Singapore website. similarly tall blocks. The estates had been but took on other meanings after residents one’s wet clothing drip onto the neighbour’s 8 Loh, K. S. (2013). Squatters into citizens: The 1961 Bukit Ho Swee fire and the making of modern Singapore (p. designed to include markets, hawker cen- moved in. laundry downstairs. 214). Singapore: Asian Studies Association of Australia tres, coffee shops and schools within their Given the small size of the flats in This practice of hanging clothes on in association with NUS Press and NIAS Press. Call confines. Despite living so far above ground the 1960s, which limited opportunities to bamboo poles originated with shophouse no.: RSING 307.76095957 LOH level, on quiet afternoons I could sometimes socialise, the common corridor became dwellers in Singapore’s city centre, long 9 Wong & Guillot, 2005, p. 57. hear the faint sounds of children playing a communal space among neighbours. before the rise of public flats (just look at any 10 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, September 12). Oral history interview with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of at the void deck or a bus passing by in the It gradually became akin to that of a archival photo of Chinatown or Singapore Recording No. 001732/29/13, p. 109]. Retrieved from distance. And although I was surrounded by “residential street” where neighbours River neighbourhoods). National Archives of Singapore website. several thousand residents within a short encountered one another informally Interestingly, in his oral history inter- 11 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, February 26). Oral history walking radius, within the flat it felt quiet and children could play safely near their view, Liu presents his view on the “unsightli- interview with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of Recording 19 No. 001732/29/16, p. 143]. Retrieved from National and private enough to be a personal refuge. homes. In the 1970s, there were even sto- ness” of laundry hung from HDB windows: Archives of Singapore website. However, perhaps because of my own ries of “a few enterprising older persons” 12 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, February 26). Oral history interview introverted nature, or because I was living who set up makeshift stalls in common “If you look at it from the sociological with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of Recording No. 001732/29/16, p. on my own and working from home, one corridors to sell sweets and nuts; these or psychological point of view, I think 143]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. aspect of HDB life that I confess I neglected stalls in turn became focal points where the clothing hanging at the window 13 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, September 12). Oral history interview with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of was getting to know my neighbours. This residents (at the time mostly housewives tells people that this estate is alive, Recording No. 001732/29/13, p. 115]. Retrieved from was in fact an initial cause of concern to and the elderly) would gather to chat and it’s teeming with people. It’s not National Archives of Singapore website. urban planners and sociologists in the 1960s exchange news.20 aesthetically pleasing only by Western 14 Liu, T. K. (1983). A review of public housing in and 70s as Singaporeans were moved into Planning something as apparently standard. But by Asian standard, it’s Singapore (p. 9). Singapore: National Trades Union Congress. Call no.: RSING 363.585095957 LIU ever higher and more densely populated straightforward as the length of the common fine, it’s Asian. 15 National Heritage Board. (2016). The first point flat environments. How would strangers corridor, therefore, became an important blocks. Retrieved from Roots website. from different cultures and backgrounds factor in engendering neighbourly relations. You know, there have been many 16 Pruitt-Igoe, Cabrini-Green and Trellick Tower were get along in such tight quarters? Would it Writing in 1973, Liu Thai Ker described attempts [by] people [who] have been large, high-rise public housing projects for low-income lead to conflict or community? And could how in the new Marine Parade estate, the not always rosy. In the first few decades, telling me to get rid of this clothes residents built from the 1950s to the early 70s. They A Sign of Home soon became notorious for social problems such the design of buildings and neighbourhoods long common corridor was broken up into there were plenty of complaints from HDB hanging. I was never interested as gang activity, drug use and violence, and came to do anything to make living in HDB estates shorter segments of 60 to 80 ft (18 to 40 m) residents relating mostly to social frictions I now live in a second-floor HDB flat in Toa because I felt that it is a sign of symbolise the pitfalls of mass urban housing. more pleasant? that could become “a safer and thus more that accompanied the sudden onset of Payoh. It was built in the 1980s, I am told, on welcoming home. It gives you a warm 17 Vanderbilt, T. (2015, June 2). The psychology of skyscrapers. useful place for the kids [to play]”, and also high-density living. For example, a survey the site of a former kampong that presum- feeling. I was never interested to get Fast Company. Retrieved from Fastcodesign website. 25 18 Chua, B. H. (1997). Political legitimacy and housing: “more intimate and popular as a social of HDB residents in 1972 found that a com- ably had to make way for the expanding HDB rid of it.” Stakeholding in Singapore (p. 113). London and New Villages in the Sky 21 gathering place”. mon complaint was about “rubbish thrown new town. After decades of flitting between York: Routledge. Call no.: RSING 363.585 CHU Given Singapore’s small land area and the Indeed, the question of juggling num- from upstairs” and noise. Even though high-rise apartments, I am now living close Critics may characterise – or cari- 19 Wong, A., & Yeh, S. (Eds.). (1985). Housing a nation: 25 years of swelling population, building vertically bers to create a sense of local community every flat had its own rubbish chute, some to the ground, where chirping birds in the cature – HDB life as compartmentalised, public housing in Singapore (pp. 58 & 71). Singapore: Housing seems intuitive today, but in the 1960s, the and identity in HDB estates was critical residents left their rubbish along common trees are sometimes at eye level from my emotionless and dystopian, and HDB flats and Development Board. Call no.: RSING 363.5095957 HOU 20 Hassan, R. (1977). Families in flats: A study of low income government’s commitment to high-rise in planning not only individual floors, but corridors and staircases and even threw window and the neighbourhood cat from as drab, homogenous environments with families in public housing (p. 112). Singapore: Singapore public housing went against global trends. entire blocks of flats. Liu recalled in his them out their windows. the void deck occasionally trails me up the equally ­colourless inhabitants. Yet some- University Press. Call no.: RSING 301.443095957 HAS Cities in the West had numerous cautionary oral history interview: There were also complaints about stairs to my front door. where between the imperatives of modern- 21 Liu, T. K. (1973). Reflections on problems and prospects tales of post-war modernist high-rise public noise and, in particular, about children, who Moving from high-rise to low-rise ist efficiency and socialist-inflected social in the second decade of Singapore’s public housing. In P. C. Chua. (Ed.), Planning in Singapore: Selected aspects & housing gone wrong, from Pruitt-Igoe in St “How [do] you compose a block? In were accused of vandalising lifts and causing has reminded me that there are many re-organisation, several generations of issues (p. 26). Singapore: Chopmen Enterprises. Call no.: Louis and Cabrini-Green in Chicago in the fact, at some stage we talked about breakdowns. Moreover, families felt there aspects of HDB living that are fostered by Singaporeans have not only adapted to live RSING 711.2095957 CHU US, to Trellick Tower in London.16 the “courtyard in the sky”. That means were inadequate play areas for children the design of the flat and the neighbour- in these admittedly utilitarian structures, 22 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, January 22). Oral history However, as sociologists like Gerda you group four to eight units of an in the housing estates. Parents tended to hood, which people have come to take for but created their own meanings in the interview with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of Recording Wekerle have pointed out, “Pruitt-Igoe is no apartment around a corridor… Instead confine their children to playing inside their granted. As Liu wrote in 1973, “The debate space, beyond what the original planners No. 001732/29/14, p. 121]; Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, February 26). Oral history interview with Liu Thai Ker more representative than is the John Han- of 20, 30 units sharing one corridor, flats or along the corridor outside their flats is not on high-rise versus low-rise, but on and designers could have envisioned. [Transcript of Recording No. 001732/29/17, p. 149]. cock Center of high-rise living”, and much you break it up into groups of four within sight and to ensure that they did not identifying the shortcomings and looking Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. research about the problems of high-rise or eight. It’s amazing how by having fall in with “bad company”. for compensating amenities.”24 Notes 23 Hassan, 1977, p. 60; Loh, 2013, p. 228. housing is specifically about “the problems only four or eight families sharing a Yet despite these problems, studies Perhaps the best image that captures 1 Wong, T. C., & Guillot, X. (2005). A roof over every 24 Liu, 1973, p. 30. head: Singapore’s housing policy between state 25 Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, February 26). Oral history interview created by concentrating multi-problem corridor, the sense of community is also found that after the first year or two how the design, actual use and symbolism monopoly and privatisation (p. 68). Calcutta: with Liu Thai Ker [Transcript of Recording No. 001732/29/17, p. families in housing stigmatised by the rest very strong. of social adjustment, HDB residents came of HDB flats come together is the now ubiq- Sampark. Call no.: RSING 363.5095957 WON 153]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore. of society.”17 On the other hand, after looking to value the “spacious, clean and pleasant uitous scene of laundry hanging on bamboo 2 Gifford, R. (2007). The consequences of living in high- at the Singapore example, sociologist Chua … If you look at the whole block, you environment of the new flats,” as well as the poles outside kitchen windows and flapping rise buildings. Architectural Science Review, 50, 2. References Beng Huat has pointed out that rather than imagine that there are maybe a dozen convenience of electricity, running water and in the wind. Regardless of flat type, income Retrieved from University of Victoria website. Centre for Liveable Cities. (2015). Built by Singapore: From 3 Fernandez, W. (2011). Our homes: 50 years of housing slums to a sustainable built environment (p. 17). Singapore: 23 relying on “simplistic architectural deter­ or two, or a few dozen small villages, security. The demand for HDB flats shot level or cultural background, all HDB resi- a nation (p. 49). Singapore: Straits Times Press. Call Centre for Liveable Cities. Retrieved from PublicationSG. minism”, “perhaps the problem with high- so to speak, in the sky, consisting of up. As Liu recollected, whereas previously dents – save the few exceptions who own no.: RSING 363.585095957 FER Homes for 60,000 people. (1960, December 8). The Straits rise public housing is not with the built-form four to eight families [each].”22 people had written letters to the press to energy-guzzling clothing dryers – share a 4 Soh, E. K. (Interviewer). (1997, May 20). Oral history Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. but with the financing, management and, complain about being forcibly resettled into common practice: they dry their laundry interview with Alan Choe Fook Cheong [Transcript Singapore: The first ten years of independence, 1965 to 1975. 18 of Recording No. 001891/18/7, p. 3]. Retrieved from (2007). (p. 198). Singapore: National Library Board and National indeed, the tenants themselves.” Of course, despite these architectural HDB flats, by the 1970s such letters were in the sun, even though this means putting National Archives of Singapore website. Archives of Singapore. Call no.: RSING 959.5705 SIN-[HIS] The relationship between the built interventions, neighbourly relations in the grumbles instead about why it took so long one’s most intimate attire on public view. It 5 Soh, E. K. (Interviewer). (1997, May 20). Oral history Yong, C. (2013, May 17). Hard for old-timers to say goodbye. form and the people who live in the flats early years of HDB (and even today) were for them to get their flats. also has implications for neighbourliness interview with Alan Choe Fook Cheong [Transcript The Straits Times. Retrieved from AsiaOne website.

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the East India Company for land to erect a its finely wrought structures and ornamen- the focal point for Theemithi, the annual Hindu temple. tations belying the blood, sweat and grime firewalking festival that has been held on In response, the British authorities of human toil over a period of more than its grounds since 1840.20 allotted a plot of land along Telok Ayer Bay, one-and-a-half centuries. Time-Honoured where Telok Ayer Street is located today. The temple was last re-consecrated Temple Architecture Pillai declined the offer because the location in April 2010, in accordance with the Hindu was too far away from sources of fresh water custom that requires temples to be restored Most Hindu temples in Singapore resemble that are so vital for Hindu temple rituals. to their original splendour every 12 years.17 the temples of South India as they are Never one to give in easily, he continued to As it is today as with times past, each time modelled along the Dravidian style of petition the East India Company officials to the temple is renovated and re-consecrated, ­architecture.21 These temples are dedicated Temple allocate a new site.9 artisans and sculptors from South India are to various Hindu gods and goddesses, some In 1821, the British Resident William engaged to do the work.18 with more than one deity presiding in each Farquhar granted Pillai a site close to the building of worship. freshwater stream near Stamford Canal. A Place for the Community Statues of deities are placed in shrines However, the Town Planning Committee had within the temples. The temples typically Design other plans for the area, and Pillai’s hope A Hindu temple is both a sacred and secular feature sculptures and statues, and the of building a Hindu temple was once again space. It serves as a place of worship as well inner walls are embellished with murals dashed. It was only in 1823 that Pillai was as a venue of congregation for social and depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.22 finally given a suitable plot of land at South cultural functions such as celebrations of The architecture of the temples com- Bridge Road.10 The site is marked as “Kling festivals and marriages. prises three main elements: a gopuram Chapel”11 in the 1828 edition of the "Plan of During colonial times, Sri Mariamman or entrance tower adorned with statues; a the Town of Singapore", first drawn in 1823 Temple also served as a temporary shelter mandapam or prayer hall for worship; and by Lieutenant Philip Jackson, the Surveyor for newly arrived Indian immigrants. It pro- vimanam or domes that indicate shrines of Public Lands appointed by Raffles.12 vided them with lodgings until they found beneath them.23 The temple that Pillai first built in 1827 work and more permanent accommoda- was a simple wood-and-attap (palm frond) tions. Historically, the temple also served The Gopuram structure. This was replaced in 1843 by a as the Registry of Marriages for the Hindu brick building, thought to have been erected community. At the time, only temple priests The gopuram refers to the pyramidal-shaped Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu by Indian convicts13 and craftsmen from were authorised to solemnise Hindu mar- tower at the temple entrance and is an Madras (now Chennai), employed for their riages in Singapore. The temple panchayat ­important feature in South Indian temples. shrine. Anasuya Soundararajan and Sri Asrina Tanuri mastery in plasterwork.14 The major part of or council of elders also helped to solve Its great height serves a purpose, acting as describe the architectural features of this landmark. the temple’s present structure is believed to marriage disputes when they arose. In a beacon for devotees from afar and allow- date back to another major reconstruction addition, the temple acted as the Registry ing them to pray or meditate in preparation between 1862 and 1863.15 The sculptures and of Deaths for Hindus until the civil registry for their entrance into the temple.24 The ornamentations added during this period took over this function.19 five-tieredgopuram of the Sri Mariamman were created by skilled craftsmen from Today, the temple has become a histori- Temple is perhaps its most striking feature the Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts cal landmark even as it continues to serve and is a much-photographed icon on South “Do not live in a place where there are no shippers in Singapore.2 In deference to its It is not known which part of India of Tamil Nadu in South India.16 generations of Hindu devotees. In deference Bridge Road. 25 temples” cautions an age-old Indian apho- architectural and historical significance, the Naraina Pillai originated from; he arrived With each extension, repair and res- to the temple, the two streets flanking it were The five-metre-high gopuram, which rism. In keeping with the sagely advice of temple was gazetted as a national monument in Singapore with Raffles on the latter’s toration over the subsequent decades, Sri named Temple Street and Pagoda Street, faces east, is adorned with sculptures dhis forefathers, one of the first things that on 28 June 1973.3 second visit to the newly colonised island in Mariamman Temple has become a rich the latter taking the cue from the temple’s representing the divine trinity of Vedic Naraina Pillai did after his arrival in Singa- June 1819, and is the first recorded Indian physical repository of architectural history, pagoda-like gopuram. The temple is also mythology26 – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 6 pore in 1819 was to establish a Hindu temple Singapore’s First Hindu Temple immigrant in Singapore. Prior to this, ­Pillai for his fellow countrymen. worked as a government clerk with the In 1827, four years after the land The history of the Sri Mariamman Temple is British East India Company in Penang. Good (Facing page) Sri Mariamman Temple, c.1900. The three-tiered gopuram was a slimmer and sparsely decorated structure compared to the present five-tiered tower that was rebuilt in 1936. Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. was acquired, Sri Mariamman Temple, closely intertwined with the arrival of the first fortune favoured Pillai, and before long, (Below left) Three of the four vimanam (domes) marking the location of the shrines that house the statues of Hindu deities sometime in the late 19th century. Singapore’s oldest Hindu place of worship, Indians to Singapore, soon after Stamford he became a successful entrepreneur and Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. finally stood proud along South Bridge Raffles established a British trading post on community leader, and set up the island’s (Below right) The vimanam, decorated with sculptures of Hindu deities and capped with small pinnacles, have become more ornate and elaborate over the years, Road. The nondescript wood-and-attap the island in February 1819.4 South Indian first brick kiln at Mount Erskine (present-day with the last major facelift taking place in 2009. Photographed in 2016 by the writers. construction erected then was a simple migrants to Singapore, feeling displaced in Tanjong Pagar). He also persuaded several affair compared to the splendidly intricate a new land, brought with them the cultural Indian bricklayers, carpenters and artisans and colourful structure that attracts and religious practices of the subcontinent, from Penang and South India to join him in Hindu worshippers as well as busloads including the worship of Mariamman, the Singapore. Recognising his growing influ- of tourists today. goddess of rain. In Hindu spirituality, the ence in the Indian community, the British Located in the heart of Chinatown, “mother” deity is known for her power to appointed Pillai as leader of the Indian the temple’s elaborate gopuram1 has been protect people from harm and to cure epi- community in December 1822.7 a landmark for generations of Hindu wor- demic illnesses and diseases.5 Pillai was greatly respected by the early Indian settlers in Singapore, who sought his advice and consulted him on important Anasuya Soundararajan is a researcher at the National Library, Singapore. She provides information services to government agencies on areas such as culture, communications and matters. He, in return, strived to improve the 8 education. She has a special interest in the history and design of Hindu temples. lives of the newly arrived settlers. Because religion and spirituality were so central to Sri Asrina Tanuri is a researcher at the National Library, Singapore. She provides information the lives of these Indian immigrants, one services to government agencies on security, workplace safety and health as well as ageing issues. of the first things Pillai did was to apply to

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These three gods are responsible for the during renovation works and replaced with which still stands today, was designed and The temple also has shrines dedicated to temple is used by devotees to view the on- creation, preservation and destruction of figures clad in Indian traditional costumes.32 completed in 1916.40 The shrine of Sri Mariamman, the presiding deity, the goddesses Durgai Amman45, Periyachi goings of temple rituals and festivals. Also takes prime position directly in front of the temple 27 46 the world respectively. Three-dimensional entrance, holding a trident in her left hand. At the Amman and Kaliamman or Kali, the de- within the temple grounds are a kitchen, staff sculptures and carvings depicting the three The Mandapam The Vimanam base of the statue in front of Sri Mariamman is stroyer of evil forces. quarters and a wedding hall with a separate gods and their many reincarnations embel- a tiny statue of Sinna Amman or Little Goddess, entrance on Pagoda Street. lish the four sides of the tower, presenting The entrance of the temple leads to a main A decorated dome known as a vimanam installed in the original temple by Naraina Pillai The entire temple complex is sur- in 1827. Photographed in 2016 by the writers. Temple Grounds a stunning visual tableaux of scenes from hall or mandapam, which is flanked by a signifies the presence of a shrine or altar rounded by a high boundary wall surmounted Hindu religion and mythology.28 series of square columns ornamented with beneath it.41 There are four such vimanam, There are two smaller and separate shrines by figures of sacred cows placed at regular In 1936, the three-tiered gopuram statues of deities.33 Along the north and and these are all located in the west eleva- scattered in the temple grounds honouring intervals. The cow, which is revered in Hin- was raised into its present five-tiers. In south elevations of the hall is an arcade of tion of the temple. Lord Ganesha and Sri Aravan, a character duism, symbolises Mother Earth, strength, the 1960s, the gopuram was restored trefoil arched openings. The main design Each vimanam is an onion-shaped from the Indian epic the Mahabharata. The abundance, selfless giving and the sus­ and decorated with the elaborate sculp- elements of the mandapam are its colourful structure, decorated with colourful painted viewing gallery on the left perimeter of the tenance of life. tures and carvings that you see today.29 ceiling and the series of columns that give sculptures and capped with small pin- 34 42 Photographs of the original three-tiered definition to the vast space. nacles. Below the main vimanam is the Temple Milestones 1984 Construction of two-storey wedding gopuram show a slimmer and more The ceiling of the hall is decorated shrine of Sri Mariamman, the presid- hall; restoration of sculptures sparsely decorated structure compared with elaborate paintings, including that ing deity of the temple. The other three 1827 Opens as a small wood-and- attap structure. and paintings; extension of the to the present broader and more ornate of a mandala, a circular diagram that ­vimanam are located above the shrines vimanam; building of the new tower. The sides of the old gopuram also symbolises the sublime state of Nirvana,35 for Lord Rama, Lord Subramanya43 and 1843 Brick building replaces the Sundara Vinayagar sanctum, appear to be steeper than the new one.30 and Hindu gods such as Lord Ganesha36 Goddess Drowpathai Amman44. wood-and-attap structure. which houses the Lord Ganesha Beneath the gopuram is a pair of heavy, and Goddess Saraswathi37. On the walls 1862 Major reconstruction of the deity, to replace the old one. –1863 temple takes place. double-leafed timber main doors that open along the temple columns and in the inner Shrines 1996 Addition of elevated viewing into the main hall of the temple.31 sanctums are hand-painted murals of 1936 Major facelift, including gallery; construction of three- Craftsmen from South India drew their various deities, always restored to their The main shrine directly facing the entrance construction of five-tiered storey annex with a separate inspiration not only from Indian tradition, but original vivid hues before each temple of the temple is that of the principle deity gopuram. entrance on Pagoda Street; also from the military traditions of colonial ­re-consecration.38 The highly skilled paint- Sri Mariamman. In front of her is a statue 1949 Minor repair works carried out, restoration and repainting of murals, statues and India. Hence, they incorporated Indian sepoys ers, who hail from Tamil Nadu, have to lie of Sinna Amman or Little Goddess. The including a fresh coat of sculptures. (soldiers recruited by the British in India), flat on their backs to paint the intricate statue is a small representation of Sri paint. dressed in khaki uniforms and armed with ceiling panels of the mandapam.39 Mariamman installed in the original temple 1960s Restoration and decoration of 2009 Undergoes $3-million facelift; restoration of decorative rifles, into the collection of the sculptures The original attap walkway that con- by Naraina Pillai in 1827. The shrine of Sri the gopuram with elaborate sculptures and carvings. statues, repainting of wall carved into the gopuram as well as on the nected the main entrance to the principal Drowpathai Amman, the goddess honoured murals, waterproofing and 1971 Addition of new statues and walls of the temple. In 1971, however, the shrine of Sri Mariamman was destroyed in the annual­ firewalking ceremony, is the strengthening of the roof, murals; removal of some sepoy statues on the gopuram were removed in a fire in 1910. A permanent walkway, second most important shrine in the temple. and the expansion of the statues, such as those of the administrative offices. Indian sepoys.

Notes to describe people from the Indian subcontinent. Over 29 Uma Devi, 2009, p. 49. 1 A gopuram is the pyramidal tower erected over the time, the term has taken on derogatory connotations 30 Sanmugam, 2009, p. 13. entrance of South Indian Hindu temples. and is today regarded by Indians as offensive. 31 Liu, 1996, p. 115. 2 Liu, G. (1996). In granite and chunam: The national 12 Uma Devi, 2009, p. 49. 32 Lee, E. (1990). Historic buildings of Singapore (p. 65). monuments of Singapore (p. 114). Singapore: 13 Singapore was once a penal colony, and the first Singapore: Preservation of Monuments Board. Call no.: Landmark Books. Call no.: RSING 725.94095957 LIU shipment of Indian prisoners to Singapore took place RSING 720.95957 LEE; Sanmugan, 2009, p.17. 3 Netto, G. (1961). Indians in Malaya: Historical facts in 1825. See Tan, B. (2015, Oct–Dec). Convict labour in 33 Lee, 2002, p. 76. and figures (p. 17). Singapore: George Netto. Call no.: colonial Singapore. BiblioAsia, 11(3), 36–41. 34 Liu, 1996, p. 115. RCLOS 331.62540595 NET 14 Liu, 1996, p. 114; Sanmugam, 2009, p. 13. 35 Lee, 2002, p. 76. 4 Soundararajan, N. S. (1971). The history of the Sri 15 Liu, G. (1984). Pastel portraits: Singapore's architectural 36 Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed god who symbolises Mariamman Temple. In Ciṅkappūr Srī Māriyamman̲ heritage (p. 126). Singapore: Singapore Coordinating wisdom and prosperity, and is believed to be the remover of Kōvil Makā Kumpāpiṣēka malar = Sri Mariamman Committee. Call no.: RSING 722.4095957 PAS all obstacles. He is a major god in the Hindu pantheon and is Temple Maha Kumbabishegam Souvenir (p. 65). 16 Sanmugam, 2009, p. 13. worshipped at the beginning of all undertakings. Singapore: Sri Mariamman Devasthanam. Call no.: 17 Liu, 1996, p. 114. 37 Goddess Saraswathi is the goddess of knowledge, Tamil RCLOS 294.535095957 SIN 18 Lee, 2002, p. 72. music and the arts. 5 Hindu Endowments Board. (2014). Sri Mariamman Temple. 19 Uma Devi, 2009, p. 49; Sanmugam, 2009, p. 15. 38 Yen, F. (2010, April 6). Sri Mariamman Temple unveils Retrieved from Hindu Endowments Board website. 20 Uma Devi, 2009, p. 49; Sanmugam, 2009, p. 15; Leong, its new look. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva. 6 Uma Devi, G. (2009). Resonance: Songs of our W. K. (1998, October 8). Walking on fire for his dead 39 Tay, S. C. (2010, April 10). Brighter and better. The forefathers (p. 49). Singapore: Preservation of parents. The Straits Times, p. 27. Retrieved from Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva. Monuments Board. Call no.: RSING 725.94095957 RES NewspaperSG. 40 Sanmugam, 2009, p. 14. 7 Sanmugam, E., et al. (Eds.). (2009). Sacred sanctuary: 21 The Dravidian architectural style originated from the 41 Lee, 2002, p. 76. The Sri Mariamman Temple (p. 10). Singapore: Sri southern part of the Indian subcontinent and consists 42 Liu, 1996, p. 115. Mariamman Temple. Call no.: RSING 294.535095957 SAC primarily of temples with pyramidal-shaped towers. 43 Lord Subramanya is the Hindu God of War. 8 Sanmugam, 2009, p. 10. 22 Khoo, B. L. (1972, November 24). Singapore’s Hindu temples. 44 Goddess Drowpathai Amman is one of the most 9 Lee, G. B. (2002). The religious monuments of The New Nation, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. important female characters in the Hindu epic Singapore: Faiths of our forefathers (p. 72). Singapore: 23 Uma Devi, 2009, p. 49. Mahabharata. She is sometimes portrayed as the Preservation of Monuments Board & Landmark 24 Lee, 2002, p. 76. Mother-Goddess. Books. Call no.: RSING 726.095957 LEE; Ong, C. S. 25 Lee, 2002, p. 76. 45 Goddess Durgai Amman is the mother of the universe (1971, September 11). Discovering Singapore. The New 26 Vedic mythology is derived from the Vedas, a large and believed to be the power behind the creation, (Above) The original three-tiered gopuram (tower) was rebuilt in 1936 into Nation, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. body of Indian scriptures that laid down the basis of preservation and destruction of the world. its present five tiers. This is a 1970 postcard view of thegopuram. Courtesy 10 Lee, 2002, p. 72; The New Nation, 11 Sep 1971. classical Hinduism. 46 Goddess Periyachi Amman is considered as the of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. 11 The term “kling” or “keling”, first mentioned in the 27 Oldest place for the Hindus. (1981, December 13). The protector of children and mothers, and is associated (Right) The five-tieredgopuram (tower) as it looks today after the temple Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals written between the Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. with childbirth and pregnancy. She is recognised by her underwent a major restoration in 2009. Photographed in 2016 by the writers. 15th and 16th centuries, was used in colonial Malaya 28 Lee, 2002, p. 76. eight arms and fearsome appearance.

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wall and Fort Fullerton, with a botanical and European traders to promote commerce. acknowledgement of the contributions of Dr Lai Chee Kien is an Adjunct Associate experimental gardens in between, and Bukit One of the concessions the first British Singapore’s founder and served to further Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, and a registered Larangan or “Forbidden Hill” (subsequently Resident in Singapore, William Farquhar, reinforce the might of the British Empire – architect. His research interest lies in the renamed by Raffles as Government Hill). granted to traders was permission to occupy the statue depicting Raffles with his arms history of art, architecture, settlements, urban The three man-made landscape ele- prime land along the fringes of the Padang folded in quiet assurance, as if surveying planning and landscapes in Southeast Asia. ments designed by the British conspicu- − as in case of the Bousteads who built their the physical manifestations of his legacy. ously displayed to its indigenous settlers family home there and the Sarkies brothers Ironically, the statue was often struck by how nature could be manipulated to form who leased the building that became the stray footballs kicked by overeager players a flattened field (the Padang), a garden Raffles Hotel.3 when matches were held at the Padang, and setting where trees and shrubs were regi- These buildings went against Raffles’ the authorities decided to move it in 1919 The One of the more enduring legacies of the mented, and defensive structures arranged instructions that the northern banks of the to a more dignified site closer to Victoria colonial era in Southeast Asia is the spatial strategically on a hill.2 The construction of Singapore River should be reserved strictly Memorial Hall. design and metropolitan planning that structures on this strip of artificial landscape for government use. Together with John Although the Supreme Court was the oWestern powers left behind in the cities was deliberate: a church, a court house and Crawfurd, the second Resident of Singapore, last building to be built on the Padang’s they occupied. Spatial design principles that government offices between the square Raffles moderated Farquhar’s generosity edge, its history predates all of the other developed in European cities were super- and gardens, and Raffles’ own residence and began to lease land instead to the trad- grand structures around the field − dating imposed onto the landscapes of colonised on the hill. ers. On this basis, the houses of colonial back to 1823 when the English merchant Southeast Asian cities, replacing the indig- In time, the enlarged rectilinear Espla- merchants such as Robert Scott, James Edward Boustead was given land to build enous land and water forms that existed for nade − from the Latin word explānāre, Scott Clark, Edward Boustead and William his family home. The palatial house was centuries. In Singapore, the Padang – the meaning “to make level” − became the first Montgomerie located around the Padang subsequently turned into a series of hotels Padang expanse of green opposite the National semblance of a landscape interface between were to serve as temporary residences before it was demolished to build the Grand Gallery Singapore and bookended by the British colonials and native residents in and hotels until the Town Hall, the Supreme Hotel de l'Europe in 1905 which, together Centrepiece of Colonial Design Singapore Cricket Club and the Singapore Singapore. When the Esplanade (which was Court and the Municipal Building (later City with the Raffles Hotel, was regarded as one Recreation Club – is one such example. how the British referred to the Padang back Hall) were eventually built to establish the of the finest lodgings in Southeast Asia. The then) was not used for military assemblies, government seat of power.4 hotel closed down in 1932 and the site was The Padang in Singapore drills and ceremonies, it served as a pitch The process of creating a visually acquired by the government to build the This expanse of green fringed by grand colonial for cricket, football and rugby matches. consistent neoclassical facade around the Supreme Court. The British occupiers of Singapore, led by Through military, recreational and cer- Padang’s edges was thus a gradual process The last Padang-facing structure to edifices in the city centre is a statement of Stamford Raffles, altered the coastal land- emonial uses, the Esplanade instilled and that took place over a century rather than be constructed, the neoclassical Supreme scapes of the island soon after their arrival in socialised concepts of colonial discipline a swiftly executed plan. The construction Court, was erected at a time when the British might, as Lai Chee Kien tells us. 1819. Recognising the defensive advantages and abidance among the British settlers. timeline began with the Parliament House transatlantic art deco and modernist move- of a hill overlooking the colonial settlement The space became a platform that displayed (1826–27) − originally planned as a private ments in architecture had already begun to and anchorage areas, Raffles commissioned different sides of the British colonial officers: home for the Scottish merchant John Argyle influence architectural design all over South- a hilltop fort for military surveillance over regimental and belligerent on occasion, but Maxwell; St Andrew’s Cathedral – first as a east Asia. Upon its completion in 1939, the the settlement plains.1 at other times, given to rest and recreation. church (1835–36) then a cathedral (1856–61); green expanse of the Padang with its grand In 1823, Lieutenant Philip Jackson, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall – first as edifices of architecture on its edges evoked whom Raffles had appointed as Surveyor Edifices of Power Around the Padang the Town Hall (1855–62) and then Victoria the colonial vision of power and discipline. of Public Lands, drew a new urban plan for Memorial Hall (1902–09); the Cricket Club The periphery of the Padang where the town under his direction. The Raffles Around the Esplanade, or Padang, the con- (1860s); City Hall5 – originally the Municipal it met the sea, meanwhile, had become a Town Plan (or Jackson Plan as it was also struction of buildings along its edges further Building (1926–29); and lastly the Supreme colonial tree-lined promenade for the public. An 1851 oil painting by John Turnbull Thomson, Government Surveyor of the Straits Settlements (1841–53). It shows a view of the Padang from Scandal Point, a small knoll above the shoreline which originally known) – taking heed of the precedent set stamped colonial legitimacy and emphasised Court (1937–39). As a visitor in the 1850s remarked of the came up to the edge of the Padang. Gift of Dr John Hall-Jones. Courtesy of the National Museum of by the British in colonial Calcutta − showed the class divide between the British and the In between all these constructions, Esplanade: “The scene is enlivened twice Singapore, National Heritage Board. a contiguous strip of artificial landscape local peoples. As in Prince of Wales Island on Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Day on during the week by the regimental band, extending from the sea shore to the clos- (later renamed Penang), which the British 27 June 1887, an 8-foot bronze statue of on which occasions the old women gather est inland hill, which comprised an open, had earlier colonised in 1786, the British Stamford Raffles was unveiled at the Padang, together to talk scandal, and their daughters manicured square protected by a battery East India Company worked closely with facing the direction of the sea.6 This was an to indulge in a little innocent flirtation.”7

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The port cities of Penang, Malacca Interestingly, there are implications that has been artificially constructed, with and Singapore (collectively known as the for the various sites that have taken turns its edges flanked by mostly new buildings Straits Settlements) in the Malay Peninsula to host the parade. For instance, the deci- that are key to Singapore’s next phase of became part of this British colonial network. sion to hold the newly independent nation’s development as a global city. Spatially, it is On the Malay Peninsula, the defensive form first National Day Parade at the Padang in a “liquid padang”, serving similar functions was first created in Penang after it was 1966 can be seen as a subversion of colonial but providing a view towards the city’s future, annexed by the British in 1786. The Padang rule, appropriating a symbolically potent especially since the colonial Padang and its was constructed alongside Fort Cornwallis site that had represented British authority period buildings have been mostly emptied at a strategic cape location with the Penang in Singapore for over a century. of their original functions – most recently the Cricket Club and government buildings at The construction of the National Sta- amalgamation of City Hall and the Supreme the other end.12 The arrangement would be dium in 1973 created an alternative congre- Court into the National Gallery Singapore. replicated in Singapore with the establish- gation space for national spectatorship.14 Collectively, the old and the new “padang” ment of Fort Fullerton along Battery Road, The key feature of the National Stadium is evoke the giant leaps of time and progress until Government Hill was deemed to be a a manicured flat green field, much like the that Singapore has made since Raffles first more strategic area and Fort Canning was Padang, but with people, instead of buildings, envisioned his town plan in 1822. constructed here in 1861. filling the spaces of its periphery. The staging of the National Day Parade Notes (Above) The statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, facing The Padang in Post-Colonial Singapore at Marina Bay is of interest because the site 1 Letter from Stamford Raffles to William Farquhar the sea, was unveiled at the Padang on Queen Vic- is spatially analogous to that of the Padang. dated 6 February 1819, as cited in L. T. Firbank, A toria's Golden Jubilee Day on 27 June 1887. In the According to Ananda Rajah , the introduc- The layout and the constitutive elements History of Fort Canning (no records), p. 16. background is St Andrew’s Cathedral. Courtesy of as early as the 9th century to connote the the maidan was re-secured, and residential tion of the annual National Day Parade in are similar, although visually, Marina Bay 2 Lai, C, K. (2006, July). Botanical imaginations of Lai Chee Kien. Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries. Singapore (Above right) A view of the Grand Hotel de l'Europe setting of a formal rectilinear open space. In homes and other structures around it were Singapore after Independence in 1965 is is very different from the Padang, having Architect, (233), pp. 70–79. Call no.: RSING 720.5 SA (left) being built (later demolished to build the Su- Persia, the maidan was conceived as part of demolished and cleared to form an espla- symbolic of the country’s arrival as an been reclaimed from the sea, and creating 3 A new hotel in Singapore. (1887, September 21). Straits Times preme Court), several residential houses belonging the royal conurbation within the city. nade.11 The British constructed important imagined national and political commu- Marina Reservoir in the process. Weekly Issue, p. 4; Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Liu, G. to European merchants, lawn tennis courts on the 13 (2006). Raffles Hotel (pp. 17–18). Singapore: Editions Didier edge of the Padang and St Andrew's Cathedral (on The ruler who best articulated the public buildings near the edges of the maidan nity. Over the last 50 years, three loca- Looking at the four edges of the rec- concept of the maidan in designing urban as visible signs of English order and progress tions have hosted the annual National Day tilinear reservoir, one can see that the old Millet. Call no.: RSING q915.9570613 LIU the right). Likely photographed in the early 1900s. 4 Lee, K. L. (1988). The Singapore House 1819–1942 (pp. Courtesy of Lai Chee Kien. space was Shah Abbas I of Isfahan (in in colonial Calcutta. Parade: the Padang, the National Stadium buildings along its historic edge near the 148–149). G. Liu. (Ed.). Singapore: Times Editions. Call modern-day Iran). During his reign, the The Calcutta maidan combined various and Marina Bay. Padang have been refitted and given new no.: RSING 728.095957 LEE The commemorative aspect of Espla- nucleus of Isfahan was relocated to a new features of the Persian model with a Brit- The stadium and the Padang each functions. Reminiscent of the maidan in 5 The former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings, nade Park, as it was known by then, was maidan measuring 440 yards long and 160 ish innovation: a walled fort constructed hosted the parade 18 times until 2007 when Isfahan, the remaining three edges have both gazetted national monuments, were renovated and opened in November 2015 as the National Gallery further enhanced with the construction of yards wide and named Maidan-i Naqsh-i adjacent to or within the maidan. The it was moved to the Float@Marina Bay with been taken up by structures devoted to Singapore housing the largest public collection of the Cenotaph war memorial in 1922, and Jahan. Built between 1597 and 1602, this same maidan model with a defensive fort its floating platform and open-air stage. The commerce (Marina Bay Financial Centre); modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia. when Tan Kim Seng Fountain was moved maidan became the new centre of the was adopted in other Indian cities such as Padang was again the venue for the parade recreation (Marina Bay Sands casino resort); 6 The statue of Stamford Raffles was commissioned by there in 1925. After World War II, a war first Shi’ite dynasty in Iran. According Bombay and Madras that the British also in 2010 and 2015, while Marina Bay hosted and leafy gardens (Gardens by the Bay). then Governor of the Straits Settlements Frederick memorial dedicated to the hero Lim Bo Seng to Stephen Blake, spatially, the organ- colonised. As Britain expanded its sphere the parade seven times before it returned Seen as a whole, Marina Bay is a Weld for Singapore in 1887, and designed and sculpted by Thomas Woolner. It was later transferred to its was erected at Esplanade Park. From 1953 ised functions of state power, religion, of influence in the region, Burma, Malaya to the new National Stadium in 2016. rectangular, flat piece of water surface present location at the Victoria Memorial Hall. See onwards, Esplanade Park was renamed commerce, education, recreation and and Singapore were later established as Woolner, A. (1917). Thomas Woolner, R.A., sculptor and Queen Elizabeth Walk and became an commemoration were clearly expressed English colonies to curtail French interest poet: His life in letters (p. 326). New York: E. P. Dutton & important seafront promenade in the city. along the four margins of this space, and in Indochina and Dutch hegemony in the The concept of the Padang originated in Persia, where it was known as the maidan, a formal rectilinear Company. Retrieved from Internet Archive. open space in the city centre. During the reign of Shah Abbas I of Isfahan (in modern-day Iran), the nucleus 7 Jayapal, M. (1992). Old Singapore (p. 25). Singapore: 9 it became a new model in its time. Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). of the city was relocated to a new maidan called Maidan-i Naqsh-i Jahan. Built between 1597 and 1602, this Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSING 959.57 JAY-[HIS] From Public Square to Padang A wide canal ran along the edges of maidan became the new centre of the first Shi’ite dynasty in Iran. Photo by J. P Richard / Shutterstock.com 8 Home, R. K. (1996). Of Planting and planning: The Maidan-i Naqsh-i Jahan. Trees were planted making of British colonial cities. (pp. 8–23). London: E. The concept and use of an open space such between the canal and the perimeter – a & F. N. Spon. Call no.: RART 711.409171241 HOM as the Padang was tested elsewhere in the 20-foot-wide grassy space that shaded 9 Blake, S. P. (1999). Half the world: The social architecture of Safavid Isfahan, 1590–1722 (pp. xvi–xvii). Costa Mesa: British Empire before its construction in shops as well as a dozen major gates and California: Mazda. Call no.: RART q720.95595 BLA Singapore. As the historian Robert Home openings into the square. Outside this 10 Anuradha Mathur, A. (1999). Neither wilderness has theorised, the public square was one perimeter, the palace grounds, the bazaar, nor home: The Indian maidan. In J. Corner. (Ed.), of eight components of the “Grande Model” mosques, gardens, madrasahs and other Recovering landscape: Essays in contemporary landscape architecture (pp. 206–208). Sparks: of British colonial settlement since the 17th public and commemorative architectural Princeton Architectural Press. Call no.: RART 712 REC 8 century. The geometric grid layout and the elements collectively articulated the shah’s 11 Chattopadhyay, S. (2005). Representing Calcutta: incorporation of an open square represented role as the purveyor of political might as Modernity, nationalism, and the colonial uncanny (p. “the ultimate symbol of the imposition of well as economic and civic life. As Blake has 46). New York: Routledge. Call no.: R 954.147 CHA human order on the wilderness.” The extent described, the maidan was the site for the 12 Garnier, K. (1923, April). Early days in Penang. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1 of physical manipulation was apparent in enactment of daily and seasonal imperial (1 (87)), 5–12., pp. 5–6. Call no.: RCLOS 959.5 JMBRAS. places as diverse as colonial Savannah spectacles: polo, horse-racing, military The settlement grew from the cleared ground of the and Charleston in the US and Adelaide in parades, fireworks displays, mock battles, esplanade, a fort and a small bazaar, and within a year Australia, where the creation of towns in receptions of ambassadors, courtly audi- attracted families of different ethnicities to settle there, alongside the resident Malay populations. the middle of plantations altered land, flora, ences and religious festivals. 13 Rajah, A. (1999). Making and managing tradition in fauna and human life irrevocably. The idea of the maidan as a type of Singapore: The National Day Parade. In K.-W. Kwok Singapore’s Padang took inspiration artificial lawn in India may have been trans- et al. (Eds.), Our place in time: Exploring heritage and from a type of urban field known as maidan, planted from cities in the Middle East and memory in Singapore. Singapore: Singapore Heritage which was also found in places such as India pre-existed well before the arrival of the Society, pp.101–109. Call no.: RSING 959.57 OUR-[HIS] 14 Lai, C. K., et al. (2015). Building memories: People, 10 and Penang. The term maidan has Persian British. After British troops recaptured architecture, independence (pp. 114–116). Singapore: roots, and was widely used in Islamic cities Calcutta in 1757, Fort William at the centre of Achates 360 Pte Ltd.

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(Facing page) Western Zhou Dynasty (c.1050–771 BC) bronze tiger with deep grooves etched on its body to simulate stripes. Freer Gallery of Art, Smith- sonian Institution, Washington, DC. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. (Left) Hongli spearing a tiger. One of the many paint- The ings of Prince Bao Hongli who ascended the throne in 1736 as the Qianlong Emperor (1735–96). Artist unknown; ink and colour on silk. Palace Museum, Beijing. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. (Below) A 10 x 10 cm block-printed Chinese paper charm, one of a bundle. Printer and artist unknown. The four characters read “White Tiger, Divine Lord”. Courtesy of Patricia Bjaaland Welch.

Within

These fanged beasts are by turns both captivating as they are terrifying. Patricia Bjaaland Welch explores the tiger motif in the art and literature of Asia.

“Tyger, Tyger, burning bright, their backs. These are brutish animals extended tongues emerging from open China’s military preserved and In the forests of the night” 1 with “large heads and incised, almond- jaws. The Chinese consider the tiger to be enhanced the image of the fierce tiger as shaped eyes, bared rows of sharp teeth, the “king of wild beasts” as the markings did the artisans who depicted them on the – William Blake inward-spiraling ears, oversized paws and on the animal’s forehead resemble the breastplates of warriors and war deities claws”2 and thick tails. Some figurines are Chinese character 王, which means “king”. as a sign of military prowess and bravery. etched with deep grooves on their bodies The image of a head-in-the-air, pranc- Bounding tigers, just like those seen in the to represent the tiger’s stripes. The simi- ing white tiger is one of the four directional Han Dynasty, were de rigeur decoration on One of the reasons we draw is to capture larities in the depiction of these animals animals (representing west and the seven the interior walls of military headquarters and share an experience, or express our in western China to objects found in the constellations found there) of ancient as can be seen in popular comic book ver- feelings – whether scratched into a cave’s Altai Mountains of south Russia suggest China, together with a black tortoise sions of classical historical novels, such as rocky wall or artfully painted with oil or an early exchange of art between China entwined with a snake (north), a red bird Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义). owatercolour. One of the reasons we look at and her non-Chinese neighbours. (south) and a green dragon (east). These When Chinese ceramists were looking art is because we want to be entertained, to These early bronze and jade carvings used to be painted on the interior walls of for inspiration for new designs to decorate see something captivating or exciting. It is of tigers were once buried with the dead tombs and the sides of coffins to protect their art works in the 17th century, they for good reason that the tiger has become as they were believed to offer protection the dead from unknown evils as well as to often turned to woodblock prints that one of the most written about and depicted in the afterlife. According to one source, ensure that the deceased remained prop- depicted scenes from China’s classics, animals in literature and art. Enter the tiger “one of the oldest pieces of evidence for erly oriented even in the afterlife. such as The Water Margin or Outlaws of as portrayed in Asia… the protective nature of tigers was the Each animal was also associated the Marsh (水浒传). One such tableau illus- discovery of two large figures formed out with an element – for example the red trates the story of Wu Song (one of the 108 China of seashells, one a dragon and the other a bird represents fire, while the white tiger “Heroes of Mount Liang”) who defeated a tiger, on each side of a corpse in a grave symbolises metal, which equates with tiger (武松打虎) with his bare hands when We know the ancient Chinese found tigers at Puyang in Henan province”. 3 power. During the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 he ignored the advice of the local people as terrifying and captivating as we do Neolithic scenes of adrenalin-charged BC), metals such as iron weapons that and ventured into a dangerous forest on today. Among the earliest depictions of tiger hunts are captured in the rock art at were buried in a king’s grave were said to his own. The tree branch that broke when tigers are white jade carvings dating back Daxifengkou in the Helan Mountains of “metamorphose into a white tiger – king Wu Song attempted to use it as a club to Patricia Bjaaland Welch is a retired university lecturer in symbology and Asian art history. at least 4,000 years. By the 9th century Ningxia4 in China, the clear predecessors of all animals and lord of the mountains – fend off the tiger lies at his feet, making Originally from the US, she has been a permanent resident in Singapore since 1995, and is a BC, we find tiger figurines cast in bronze, of the lean, athletic beasts of the later Han three days after his burial, and to remain the scene instantly recognisable. frequent contributor to publications on Asia. Her most recent book is Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Imagery (Tuttle, 2007). usually depicted crouching, their tails Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220) caught lunging crouching on the grave to protect the king’s Tigers were the ultimate symbol of either hanging limply or curled up along through the air, tails akimbo, their long, spirit and dispose of demons.”5 raw, untamed power in China, but then

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whether it is depicted sitting by the side the days of the Roman Colisseum, with (Below) A young boy’s protective cap to fool evil spirits into thinking he’s a tiger cub. The cap is made of orange silk of an arahat, or accompanying him on varying outcomes. embroidered in heavy black thread with appliqued paws, his travels, or while alone in quiet con- Perhaps this is why there is so much eyes, mouth and tongue. Whiskers are curled wood shav- templation. Ceramic masters in Arita, in confusion over the goddess Durga when ings. On the back protective neck flap are embroidered the hills of the southern Japanese island she appears in her most powerful form the symbols of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology. of Kyushu, continue to produce exquisite as Mahisasura Mardini or “killer of the Courtesy of Patricia Bjaaland Welch. (Right) One of a pair of tigers on the ceiling of Mogao Cave porcelain models of the tamed tiger in the Demon Mahisasura” (who is usually #428 in Dunhuang, China. Photo by Wu Jian, Dunhuang traditional form. represented as a buffalo).9 Durga is the Academy. All rights reserved, Whitfield, R. et. al. (2015). supreme divine power, and her mount Cave Temples of Mogao at Dunhuang: Art and History on (either the tiger or the lion) is perfectly the Silk Road. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute. India matched – the determined hunter and slayer. Occasionally, Durga and her mount “In what distant deeps or skies. are portrayed as such – she with arms fly- Burnt the fire of thine eyes?” ing, holding her arsenal of weapons, and with the tiger (or lion) racing, its mouth – William Blake open and tail in the air. More typically, however, we find In India, on the other hand, a land where Durga and her mount in a more restful tigers once roamed freely and every village pose – Durga seated in a position of “royal feared these dreaded stalkers, the image of ease”, the tiger (or lion) in profile or facing the kittenish tiger is nowhere to be seen. front, but with all four paws firmly on the Here, “the strongest animals, elephants, ground. It’s the quiet moment after evil is form the base of the pyramid of life. The conquered, when both, calm and proud, are earth is represented by jungle, full of lions content and ready to receive the gratitude and tigers.”8 This frieze frequently appears of their devotees. something happened. Sometime around the winter solstice at the Temple of Heaven in Cave #428 depicting two sleek tigers a key to understanding the metaphor of on many of the oldest Hindu temples in India, Durga’s consort, Shiva, also wears or the first century AD, lions were introduced when the days were longest and coldest, with oversized comic-book claws. Unlike the tiger in Zen art, is the artist Shi Ko's including the caves of Ajanta, Ellora and sits upon a tiger skin that he has stripped from Central Asia. Their appearance and the yang forces of light and warmth Indian drawings of tigers which often have masterful ink work of the Zen master Feng Elephanta in Maharashatra state. from a tiger sent to kill him. While living as coincided with the introduction of Bud- needed entreatment to return. elongated triangular faces, these tigers Gan sleeping on his tiger, a depiction that At the 13th-century site of Konarak, an ascetic and wandering naked through dhism into China, and tigers lost their The use of specific animal images on have small, ovoid, monkey-shaped faces skillfully contrasts the smooth lines of the dedicated to the Sun god (Surya), on the jungle, he so aroused the local maidens esteemed position to the new cat in town embroidered squares of cloth sewn onto with tiny button-like ears. sleeping monk with the staccato-like brush India’s Bay of Bengal, India’s two great that their jealous husbands conjured up a – which became the powerful protector the front and back of official uniforms to According to the scholar Helenor strokes of the tiger's fur. religions – Hinduism and Buddhism – are ferocious tiger to attack him. Shiva’s vic- of the Buddha and the new religion. Lions indicate rank within the Chinese military Feltham, “images of monks and tigers The tamed tiger is a popular motif respectively depicted as lions and tigers, tory over the tiger represents his power as now guarded palaces and temples, while had existed in China for many years before have a long history in Asian art and in the Buddhist art of China and Japan, each attempting to subdue the other. the ruler and lord of all living things; the tigers were relegated as protectors of the becoming institutionalised during the Ming culture… [and] can be divided into repre- Contests featuring these mighty beasts tiger’s skin becomes a prayer mat for the common people. Dynasty in the late 14th century – the tiger sentations of pilgrim/missionary monks, were said to have been staged several ascetic. He has killed not only the tiger, but But still powerful, tiger images now sharing second place with panthers and images celebrating harmony with nature The Story of the Monk and the Tiger times throughout history, beginning from also all desires. This is why tiger skins are appeared on scraps of paper as talismans; behind the all-supreme lion. No longer and mastery of primal emotions, and mugwort leaves that resembled tiger paws the stalker, tigers were now seen sit- transformative storytellers.”7 The best- One of the best known Zen stories is The famous Tiger Head Cave (Bagh Gumpha), Cave #12 in the Jain cave complex of Udayagiri in Bhubaneswar, were used to ward off the plague; ceramic ting, often with one paw raised in a pose known image of a wandering monk with that of the Zen monk who encounters India. The opening of the cave is shaped like a tiger’s open mouth. Courtesy of Ruth Gerson. pillows decorated with, or made in the shape reminiscent of Central Asian felines, a tiger is probably that found by Paul a very hungry and aggressive tiger of tigers became an aid against sleepless alert and curious but not leaping or hunt- Pelliot – the famous French sinologist – while out for a walk. He tries to flee nights and nightmares; and young children ing – their strength apparently dormant in Dunhuang Cave #17 that dates to the but the tiger races after him. Eventu- were dressed in clothes adorned with until summoned by the emperor. Both Five Dynasties (907–960)/Northern Song ally, the monk finds himself on the orange and black stripes and donned caps the Yongzheng (1723–35) and Qianlong Dynasty (960–1127) period, and today kept edge of a steep cliff that drops into or shoes decorated with tiger ears so that (1735–96) Qing emperors commissioned in the Musée Guimet in Paris. The vividly a rocky ravine. He has no choice evil spirits would mistake them as fierce paintings of themselves hunting tigers. striped tiger – with fangs exposed and other than inch himself over the tiger cubs and leave them unharmed.6 ears turned back alongside its strangely edge, clinging onto a vine, to avoid When the “Five Poisonous Creatures” Tigers and Buddhist Monks small and flat head – lopes alongside the becoming the tiger’s meal. But just (centipedes, lizards, scorpions, toads and monk, intent on its march. as he is beginning to hope that he is snakes) threaten, it was the tiger who Buddhists regarded tigers as useful meta- More than one Buddhist arahat – safe, he notices two small mice, one was thought to protect one from harm. phors, and not just in the Jātaka tales that protectors of the Buddhist teachings or black and one white, gnawing on the Embroidered insignia depicting the “Five document the former lives of the Buddha. dharma – such as Bhadra (in Chinese, vine. He turns his head, and there, Poisonous Creatures” and the tiger would One of the most popular of these tales is Baduoluo), reputed to have been a cousin within reach is a beautiful, perfect be worn by members of the imperial court the Mahasattva Jātaka, which relates how of the Buddha), or Zen master, were known red strawberry. Holding onto the on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the a young man (who would later be reincar- to have kept tigers as pets. Feng Gan, the vine with one hand, he reaches for date associated with the summer solstice. nated as the Buddha) sacrifices himself 9th-century Chan (Zen) Buddhist monk the strawberry with the other. As he Superstitious Chinese considered this to be so that a starving tiger mother and her who introduced the two monks Shi De and bit into it, he was heard to exclaim, the most dangerous day of the year when cubs can eat. Han Shan (later immortalised in decorative “How sweet this beautiful strawberry the yin force of nature returned, bringing More tiger paintings appear in the art as the Héhé Brothers holding a box is.” And in that moment, he thought with it darkness and cold. This was also famous Dunhuang (or Mogao) caves along and a lotus to represent spiritual peace), life was bliss. The moral of this tale the day when the emperor would perform the fabled Silk Route, including a tiger was said to own a pet tiger. is about seizing happiness no matter annual sacrifices and prayers at the Altar energetically chasing a devilish-looking One of the most famous paintings of a what the circumstances are. of Earth, just as he would perform them on figure up a hill (Cave #159) and a frieze monk with a tiger, and which also provides

46 47 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature associated with both ascetics and deities In Southwest China along the bor- also has a sectarian symbolism, with the tigers, single or in pairs, are considered in their destroyer personas. der with Tibet and also in Tibet itself, lama leading the tiger representing the as powerful and protective talismans in Most Indian art that depicts tigers one often encounters brightly coloured supremacy of the “yellow-hats” of the Thailand and especially popular among is religious in nature, with some famous murals on monastery walls – awash in Gelugpa School of Buddhism over their muay thai boxers. These are tigers with exceptions. The founder of the Mughal primary colours – of a Mongolian lama “tamed” rivals, the “red-hats” of the old outstretched claws, leaping or stalking, Empire, Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad, is more (identifiable by his hat) leading a tame schools of Tibetan Buddhism.”10 jaws open with bared fangs, who not only commonly known as Babur (or Babar, Baber tiger on a chain across a valley or down endow their owners with enhanced strength or Babür), which literally means “tiger” in a mountain range. The lama is said to Thailand but also drive away evil spirits when ap- Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu. Scenes represent Avalokitesvara (the embodi- plied properly by specially trained monks. of birds and animals, including tigers, natu- ment of perfect compassion), the chain There is a saying in Thailand, “The mosquito A carved tiger’s tooth is a coveted amulet rally abound in Mughal art. But probably the represents Vajrapani (protector of the his- is more dangerous than the tiger”, but that among Thais, said to protect its owner and most famous (and kitschy) Indian depiction torical Buddha), while the vividly striped doesn’t stop the Thais from invoking the bring good fortune. of a tiger is the 18th-century mechanical tiger is Manjusri, who symbolises wisdom. spiritual and physical power of tigers in Statues of standing tigers (usually life-size toy tiger attacking a European According to Robert Beer, “this emblem their daily lives and art. Tattoos depicting carved from wood or made from plaster) soldier (see text box on facing page). Tigers were much feared in the vil- (Below) Detail of a mural depicting a Mongolian lama leading a tamed tiger on a chain, seen on the wall of a small Buddhist monastery near Zhongdian in lages of India. Collections of thrilling Yunnan, China. Courtesy of Patricia Bjaaland Welch. stories revolving around man-eaters were (Below right) Tigers are among Thailand’s most popular talismanic tattoo designs. Courtesy of http://designs-tattoo.com usually heavily illustrated, as were later reminiscences of such famous hunters of man-eating tigers and leopards, such as those penned by Jim Corbett (1875–1955), who authored several works describing his kills. Many a young 20th-century reader developed a life-long reading habit from the tales found in Corbett’s Man-Eaters of Kumaon (1944), or from staying up late at night to read Rudyard Kipling’s story of the young Mowgli who kills the man-eating tiger known as Shere Khan (known to today’s young people through the distorted Disney movie version). “Brains versus brawn” is the moral behind many Asian legends and fables, usually about a tiger who is pitted against smaller and weaker animals such as a mouse deer or a jackal who inevitably wins the battle with its cleverness. Most of these stories are variations of an old Indian folk tale about a vicious tiger caught in a trap, and who is later released by a foolish but kind-hearted Brahman. The hapless Brahman is then seized upon by the tiger Tipu’s Toy Tiger seized as loot by the victorious English who threatens to devour the man unless he soldiers. The mechanical tiger was first Tipu’s Tiger was created for Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, South India (1782–99), c.1793. The me- can find a creature who thinks he should Tipu Sultan, the owner of the famous sent to the East India Company’s India chanical toy is made of wood, metal and ivory, and not be eaten. Eventually, it takes a clever mechanical toy tiger, was the ruler of House in London, but was later moved to incorporates a musical organ. Artist unknown. jackal to outwit the tiger and shut him back Mysore, India from 1782 to 1799. Such the Victoria and Albert Museum where © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. into his cage. Many of the illustrations mechanical toys were very popular in it remains today as a curious attraction. accompanying such stories have become the late 18th and early 19th centuries, classic artworks, although their creators but none perhaps so gruesome as Tipu’s are often anonymous. tiger. Turn the handle of a musical organ hidden inside the wooden beast, and the Tibet dying soldier being mauled at the throat wails and flails his arm up and down. Tibet shares many tiger images with India, The toy was specially constructed for although most ignominiously as flayed Tipu, it is said, to symbolise his abject tiger skins tied around the waists or hatred for British colonial rule in India. loins of wrathful demons in paintings and Tipu was fascinated by tigers and had sculptures. Tigers that have managed to many artefacts decorated with motifs (Top) The Hindu goddess Durga fighting the buffalo demon Mahisasura. She holds the divine weapons escape such fates are used as the power- (trident, spear, conch, etc.) given to her by the gods to empower her to slay the demon. Artist unknown; of tigers, including an assortment of ful vehicles of wrathful demons. In their early 18th century. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. weapons, uniforms worn by his soldiers subdued state, tigers in Tibetan culture (Above) “No, this is how I got into the cage. Let me show you”, says the exasperated tiger. Illustration and even his throne. When he died fight- represent the triumph of the mind over accompanying the story, “The Tiger, Brahman and the Jackal” from Fairy Tales of India by Joseph ing the British, his possessions were anger into wisdom and insight. Jacobs. Illustrations by John Dickson Batten, 1892. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

48 49 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature are often found on the grounds of Thailand’s Because tigers are believed to embody labourers scatter in all directions – in Buddhist temples where they serve as Monday’s personality traits, they are moody an iconic painting now on display at the symbolic spiritual protectors, but there is and cunning enough to serve as decora- National Gallery Singapore. Visitors seem a darker side to Thailand’s “tiger temples”. tive mounts for figurines and sculptures drawn to it and invariably step in closer to Until very recently, some of these temples of nat spirits in Burmese folk religion. On study the scene. bred and raised tigers to sell their parts the other hand, the overly confident tiger Early settlers in Singapore were terri- and skins, and accepted fees from tourists is often duped by clever little rabbits, who fied of the many tigers that once inhabited the to enter their cages and be photographed are almost always the heroes of Burmese island. Tiger attacks became so common- with them. animal folktales. place in Singapore by the middle of the 19th Vietnam, strongly influenced by Chi- century that a bounty was given out by the Myanmar and Vietnam nese culture, adopted the model of the government for every tiger killed. The tiger five directions, but instead of using four that was shot under the billiard room of the Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) share a different animals and a central motif, Raffles Hotel in August 1902 was apparently common belief in assigning each day of substituted these with five coloured tigers a circus beast that escaped from captivity the week its own icon. In Thailand, this – the traditional orange and black striped and accidentally made its way to the iconic takes the form of different depictions of the tiger in the centre, surrounded by white, hotel.12 Reputedly, the last wild tiger on the Buddha, but in Myanmar, the differentia- black, red and green tigers. While the tiger island that roamed the Choa Chu Kang area tion is made by assigning an animal from in the centre crouches, the surrounding was killed in October 1930.13 the Burmese zodiac to each day (with two four stand on four feet, tails erect. It was the drawing of a prowling tiger animals for Wednesday, the birthday of on a 1920s Straits Settlements 50-dollar Buddha). A tiger represents Monday, and Singapore note that helped influence the Burmese contrary to China, the direction east. Chinese entrepreneur Aw Boon Haw to Most tiger figurines in Myanmar While tigers do not figure prominently in the relocate his family’s medicinal ointment are carved from wood or made from art and literature of Singapore, they have business, trademarked Tiger Balm, from (Above) This print depicts G. D. Cole- plaster moulds, and somehow manage certainly left their pawprint on its folklore Burma to the port city of Singapore. Boon household name. When Boon Haw built a man, Government Superintendent of to look both ferocious and friendly at and culture. One of the first encounters Haw, “the gentle tiger”, together with his mansion on one of the highest hills in Pasir Public Works, and a group of Indian la- the same time. The gaping mouths show took place in in 1835 when the Government younger brother Boon Par, “the gentle bourers being attacked by a tiger while Panjang for Boon Par in 1937, it included a sharp fangs and teeth, yet the lips seem Superintendent of Public Works, George D. leopard”, had inherited their father’s busi- conducting a survey in the outskirts large garden called Haw Par Villa (or Tiger to curl back to form a smile. Traditional Coleman, and his team of Indian labourers ness upon his death in 1908. of the town in 1835. Fortunately, the Balm Gardens) that was open to the public. tiger crashed into Coleman's survey- Burmese lore recommends that tiger’s were supposedly attacked by a tiger while The first Tiger Balm factory in Singa- Over time, an educational theme park was ing equipment and ran away, leaving claws be placed around an infant’s neck conducting a survey in the outskirts of pore was located on Neil Road and as the added with tableaux representing tradi- everyone unscathed. Courtesy of as protection against infantile ills, and the town. The event was later captured business grew – undoubtedly helped by the the National Museum of Singapore, tional Chinese mythologies and folk tales. tiger’s milk as natural immunisation – complete with the tiger springing mid- Chinese belief in the power and medicinal National Heritage Board. The brothers have long since passed (Left) Members of the Straits hunting against infections.11 air as Coleman jerks backwards and the efficacy of tigers – Tiger Balm became a on, but Tiger Balm and Haw Par Villa remain. party with the tiger they had shot at Taken over by the Singapore Tourism Board Choa Chu Kang village in October 1930. From left: Tan Tian Quee, Ong in 1988, the park was one of Singapore’s most Kim Hong (the shooter) and Low iconic landmarks for many years. Today, Haw Peng Hoe. Tan Tuan Khoon Collec- Par Villa has its own Mass Rapid Transit tion, courtesy of National Archives (MRT) stop on the Circle Line. of Singapore. Singaporeans today are more used to tigers as brand icons than lurking threats. Take, for example, Tiger Beer. Who doesn’t recognise the bright blue design with a circle enclosing a black-and-orange striped Notes delineation…no doubt due to the rarer animals tiger? The brand is virtually sold around 1 Opening lines of the poem “The Tyger” by the English being less available as models, and less often seen, the world but it began life as Singapore’s poet William Blake. if seen at all…The lion, for instance, is far less true first locally brewed beer in 1932. Originally 2 So, J. F. , & Bunker, E. C. (1995). Traders and raiders to life than the homely, domesticated elephant or on China’s northern frontier (p. 116). Washington D. C.: bull, and often it is difficult to tell whether a certain marketed as a “tropical lager” targeting Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Call no.: RART 745.0931 SO form is intended for that animal or a tiger.” Tigers of young men, today it has repositioned itself, 3 Yang, X., & Yang, Y. (2000). Chinese folk art (pp. course, are indigenous to India and would have been claiming to be “an iconic embodiment of the 19–20). Beijing, China: New World Press. Call no.: a much more familiar sight. See Cousens, H. (1903– Asian city on the verge of a breakthrough.”14 R ART 709.51 YAN 4). The makara in Hindu ornament. Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Report, pp. 227–8. So what is it about the allure of tigers 4 Bradshaw Foundation. (2011). The rock art of Inner Mongolia & Ningxia. Retrieved from Bradshaw 10 Beer, R. (2003). The handbook of Tibetan Buddhist that so captivates us in Asia? It could be that Foundation website. symbols (p. 65). Boston: Shambhala. Call no.: the tiger represents those elements of our 5 Feltham, H. (2012, October). Encounter with a tiger 704.94609515 BEE-[ART] human makeup that define us all – some- traveling west. Sino-Platonic Papers, 231, 14. 11 Khin, M. C (1984). A wonderland of Burmese legends times the beast, sometimes the hunter, Retrieved from Sino-Platonic website. (p. 120). Bangkok: Tamarind Press, 1984, Call no.: 6 Even the fearsome dvarapala, a door or gate guardian R 392.09591 KHI but at other times hunted and tamed, and of temples, apparently wore tiger hats as evidenced 12 A tiger in town. (1902, August 13). The Straits Times, occasionally even the gullible chump. by a figure in Grotto #3 at the Maijishan Grottoes in p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Gansu province. 13 A tiger visits Singapore. (1930, November 8). (Above) A Vietnamese woodblock print depicting the five tigers that represent the Daoist cosmological symbol of the "five points of the compass" or the Patricia Bjaaland Welch will be giving a 7 Feltham, Oct 2012, p. 5. Malayan Saturday Post, p. 38. Retrieved from five elements – earth, wind, fire, water and metal, 2001. The artist is Le Dinh Ngien, one of the last printmakers of the Hang Trung style. Courtesy of the 8 Bothwell, J. (1961). The animal world of India (p. 177). NewspaperSG. talk on this subject on 25 November 2016, Asian Civilisations Museum, National Heritage Board. NY: Franklin Watts. Not available in NLB holdings. 14 Tiger Beer. (2006). Retrieved from Tiger Beer (Above right) The Burmese nat (spirit) Ma Swe Oo – the country girl killed by a tiger sent by a spurned suitor – sits in a small shrine in upcountry Myanmar. 7pm, at the Asian Civilisations Museum. 9 Henry Cousens notes “in old Hindu ornament… website. She was a weaver, and as a spirit, is the patroness of weavers. Courtesy of Patricia Bjaaland Welch. The talk is open to the public. the more rare an animal, the less true is its

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How I Met My Wife – and Finally My relationship with Umi’s brother tient, unwilling to carry on as we were Married Her soured – he did not approve of my inter- for four more years. My own mother was est in his sister. adamant – Umi’s family had treated me My wife and I have enjoyed a long In 1952, Umi applied for a teacher- well and I must not let them down. ‘You and happy marriage. The story of our training course in Britain that would take have already waited 12 years – you will courtship and engagement is one of her away for two years. She was awarded just have to wait another four!’ So we did. persistence against the odds. It began a place, and was all set to leave in August, Finally, in December 1958, the wed- during the Japanese Occupation. two months before my own university ding took place – in fact, two weddings. course started. I think her father was Umi’s sister got married at the same happy to get her away from me for a time. time. And Umi and I have been together You could say that I married the girl next Her leaving was very painful. She ever since. door, but it took me 16 years to do it. Dur- was set to fly from Singapore to Kuala ing my childhood in Muar, the adjoining Lumpur, where she would meet up with Flying with Hijackers yshophouse was occupied by a family her Malayan fellow-students before headed by one K. P. Nandey, a man with flying on to London. Since we could not Sometimes even civil servants must be a fiery disposition who tended to smash meet openly in Singapore, after she took willing to face danger, as I discovered plates when in a temper. Later, during the flight to Kuala Lumpur, I travelled up after terrorists hijacked a vessel in the Occupation, when I was back in Muar there myself, where we met and then Singapore harbour. Fortunately, the alone, I became friendly with one of the parted tearfully. We had a photograph incident ended without bloodshed. sons of the family. One day, when visiting taken, showing us together, and vowed him, I caught sight of his sister standing at to keep in touch by letter. the window of their house. Her name was I was deeply saddened, and cried all In 1974, when I was director of the Security Urmila, or “Umi” for short. the way on the flight back to Singapore. and Intelligence Division at the Ministry of Before long, while running errands My mother consoled me later, saying: Defence, hijackers seized the Laju, a small on my bicycle for the Japanese soldiers, "Don’t be sad. Leave it to God. If he wills, ferry owned by Shell, the oil company. By I started regularly to go out of my way so all will turn out according to both your i the time I reached the Marine Police head- that I could pass the front of the house. wishes." And it did. quarters, the Laju was being shadowed by I only possessed one good shirt at that While she was away in the UK, we a police patrol boat. Finally, it came to a time. It was mauve in colour, and it made kept up with weekly airmail letters. I was halt, surrounded by police, customs and quite an impression on Umi, or so she always anxious, as I was afraid she might Singapore Maritime Command vessels. tells me. come into contact with someone better The hijackers put a message in a Umi’s parents would not have seen than me. It did not happen. She was as bottle. They announced they were the me as a suitable match. My family origins steadfast as on the day when we parted. “Japanese Red Army and Popular Front are Tamil. They were Bengali, and they When Umi returned, her father for the Liberation of Palestine”. They S R Nathan would no doubt have preferred a Bengali invited me to go with him to Kuala Lumpur threatened to kill their hostages unless suitor, ideally a nice lawyer or doctor. So to meet her at the airport, although the they were allowed to leave Singapore for I started to leave her notes. She would journey back to Johor Bahru on the train an “Arab” country. At that stage we did leave her reply, and I would sneak by was a little tense. We could not commu- not know who the hostages were, or how and collect it. nicate openly in her father’s presence. many there were. In due course the family decided Finally, early the following year, I to move to Johor Bahru, by which time plucked up the courage to approach Umi’s I was already living there myself. To father, and told him I wanted to marry her. ingratiate myself I borrowed a truck from I thought he would be furious. In my Japanese employer and moved their fact, he was not. He did not want us to get household possessions overnight. From married immediately. His elder daughter then onwards, Umi’s father looked on me had gone to university. He asked me to a little more kindly. wait till she graduated. Umi was impa-

50 (Facing page) Umi and I secretly kept in touch in the early days of our relationship. (Right) I saw Umi off at the Kuala Lumpur airport, from where she took a flight to the UK for her Stories teacher-training course. from My Life The late S R Nathan published seven books in his lifetime, but his most accessible is probably 50 Stories from My Life. These two selections offer contrasting glimpses of the man who was President of Singapore from 1999–2011.

52 53 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / Feature

We learned subsequently that there discussions lasted several days, with no terrorists in Kuwait are taken on board. were four terrorists. Two of them were solution in sight. Singapore officials will leave plane and Japanese and two Arab. Earlier, they had The sixth day brought a new devel- proceed straight back to Singapore. Until set off explosive charges against four oil opment. Supporters of the terrorists this is agreed and guaranteed by Kuwait tanks on Pulau Bukom. They had unexpect- had stormed the Japanese embassy in government, the doors of the aircraft must edly been spotted, and had had to make a Kuwait, taking the ambassador and 15 necessarily remain closed. ... Japanese rapid escape. They had run to the Shell staff hostage. They threatened to execute crew and 2 senior officials will remain on jetty, where they had hijacked the Laju, their hostages, starting with the Second board and go with the terrorists to final which was waiting to take passengers. Secretary (one of the diplomatic staff), if the destination.’ These would have included children cross- Japanese government did not send a plane When we landed, the aircraft was ing from the island to Singapore to attend to Singapore to pick up the Laju hijackers. surrounded by tanks, armoured vehicles school. Fortunately, they had not actually The Japanese government finally and soldiers carrying automatic weapons. boarded the vessel. Five crewmen were offered to send a JAL plane. Although we For hours, we negotiated with the Kuwaiti being held hostage. did not tell the Laju hijackers about the authorities. I was asked to disembark from Negotiations were begun, mostly embassy seizure in Kuwait, they finally the plane and take my message in person by loudhailer, by Superintendent Tee Tua agreed to be flown out to Kuwait. We to a Kuwaiti government minister, who was Ba, head of the Marine Police, stationed insisted they give up their weapons. At driven onto the tarmac in his limousine. on his patrol boat. The terrorists asked last they agreed to give up their arms and Long arguments followed, involving the for the Japanese ambassador to be sum- explosives at the airport, before boarding Kuwaitis and the Japanese ambassador to moned. When we didn’t respond, they sent the plane. They were to be accompanied Iran, who had been brought to the scene a radio message: “Sunset time is blowing by unarmed teams of Singaporean and to represent the Japanese government. up time.” Finally, when the ambassador Japanese officials. The terrorists who had stormed the appeared, and after some negotiation, Dr Goh Keng Swee, Defence Minis- Japanese embassy in Kuwait arrived at they turned against him, threatening that ter at the time, instructed me to lead the the airport – and boarded the aircraft fully if the Japanese police were involved, blood team of Singapore officials. Our mission armed with revolvers and hand grenades. would flow. was to hand over the Singapore hijackers Talking to the Japanese diplomat in Bahasa, That night, two of the crew escaped to the Kuwait authorities to help resolve which he understood, I persuaded him to by jumping overboard. This gave us much the situation at the Japanese embassy in insist that they be disarmed before the valuable information on the armed status Kuwait. As I said goodbye to my family, I did plane proceeded to its next destination. It of the hijackers and the number of local not mention the risks that lay ahead. We was settled that they would keep their side hostages still on board. were afraid that the terrorist organisation arms but without the bullets – these would Lengthy negotiations followed, involv- might not let us leave Kuwait, using us as be kept in the hold. The Kuwaiti minister I disembarked from the plane to take my message to a waiting Kuwaiti government minister. ing the hijackers, the Singapore authorities, bargaining chips for the release of people would not allow me to speak during their other Arab missions and the Japanese in captivity in Israel or somewhere else. negotiations. embassy. We were unwilling to fly the As we neared our destination, I had At last came the development we be returned to the aircraft as hostages, hijackers out on a Singaporean plane to spell out to the authorities in Kuwait in had all been waiting for. The Kuwaiti so we made ourselves scarce. However, S R Nathan: 50 Stories from My Life because that would only have encouraged a radio message the conditions on which foreign minister arrived, and told me that night we were flown safely by Kuwait ­captures major milestones in the per- other terrorists to see Singapore as an easy we had undertaken the journey: “...13 and my fellow Singaporeans to leave the Airways to Bahrain, and returned home sonal and official life of the late former terrorist target. Proposals to fly them out senior officials of Singapore government aircraft. For several hours we were afraid from there on Singapore Airlines. Both President of Singapore (b. 3 July 1924−d. on a Japanese plane came to nothing. Tense must alight from the plane before the that the hijackers might insist that we groups of terrorists were flown on later 22 August 2016). Written with a younger to South Yemen. audience in mind, and illustrated by Mor- The whole episode ended without gan Chua, a former political cartoonist bloodshed. It was good experience for me, The hijacked ferry Laju was closely monitored. with the Far Eastern Economic Review, the various ministries involved, the security the book will appeal to anyone interested service, the police and the military. While in Singapore and its history. the decision to give the Laju hijackers safe passage out of Singapore attracted S R Nathan: 50 Stories from My Life some criticism, we believed it was right. (paperback, 184 pages) is published We wanted to minimise any likelihood of by Editions Didier Millet and retails at a terrorist group picking a quarrel with $19.90. It is available for loan and refer- Singapore and seeking retaliation. In gov- ence at the Lee Kong Chian Reference ernment you often have to make difficult Library and branches of all public librar- decisions about serious problems with little ies (Call no.: RSING 959.5705092 NAT). accurate information at your disposal, and under great time pressure.

Other Publications by S R Nathan S R Nathan in Conversation with Timothy Auger An Unexpected Journey: Path to the Presidency Why Am I Here?: Overcoming Hardships of Local Seafarers Editions Didier Millet, 2015 Editions Didier Millet, 2011 Centre for Maritime Studies, National University of Call no.: RSING 959.5705 NAT Call no.: RSING 959.5705092 NAT Singapore, 2010 Call no.: RSING 331.7613875095957 NAT The Crane and the Crab Winning Against the Odds: The Labour Research Unit in Epigram Books, 2013 NTUC's Founding Singapore’s Foreign Policy: Beginnings and Future Call no.: JRSING 428.6 NAT Straits Times Press, 2011 MFA Diplomatic Academy, 2008 Call no.: RSING 331.88095957 NAT Call no.: RSING 327.5957 NAT

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while others were simply open-air assemblies (Facing page) A painting of a church service by William Haxworth,1942. Haxworth was the Chief Investigator of that were spartanly furnished with handmade the War Risks Insurance Department of the Singapore furniture. Some of the more unusual places Treasury when the war broke out. He was subsequently include a rifle-range, cinema, garage and even a interned by the Japanese, first in Changi Prison and then refrigeration building. at Sime Road Camp. He secretly drew over 300 small paint- ings and sketches that depicted the harsh and cramped Church altars were designed by POWs who living conditions in these POW camps. W R M Haxworth were trained architects, and Christian parapher- Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. nalia and furniture were fashioned from a motley assortment of materials. For instance when candles were no longer available, light bulbs that there were many more of such churches built from torches were mounted onto candlesticks by POWs during the Japanese Occupation. Only a and powered by electricity. Flower vases were small fraction of these – many of which were rough made from shell cases, candlesticks from ladies’ makeshift places – are represented in this book. hatstands, and choir stalls from the swinging doors This book also provides a useful overview of bungalows. Internees who laboured outside 1. St David’s Church was of the organisation, design and evolution of POW the camps picked wild flowers for the altar. The erected to minister to the churches, which emerged shortly after the fall bread eaten during the Holy Communion rite3 was internees at the Sime Road of Singapore in February 1942. These churches made from rice flour, maize flour or tapioca, while POW camp. The wall mu- were sanctuaries that provided spiritual support watered down blackcurrant jam, boiled raisins rals on either side of the altar were created in char- and hope to internees who suffered from starva- and even gula melaka (palm sugar) were used coal by Stanley Warren, tion and oppression under the Japanese Imperial in place of wine. best known as the painter Army. Bonded by a common purpose, internees Time and again, POWs were forced to aban- of the Changi Murals at St from various Christian denominations, ranks and don these makeshift churches when the Japanese Luke’s Chapel at Roberts Published in Britain in 1946, The Churches of the nationalities pitched in to build churches at deten- authorities evacuated camps or redeployed POWs Barracks. The mural to the right of the altar de- Captivity in Malaya was written by the Assistant tion camps in Changi, Sime Road, Adam Park and to other detention sites. Undeterred, the internees picted the scene from the Chaplain General of the Far East, Reverend John elsewhere in Singapore. started new churches wherever they went even “Nativity”, while the one pNorthridge Lewis Bryan,1 to show how churches The resourceful POWs managed to achieve as their freedom was curtailed as the Occupa- on the left featured the provided “spiritual and moral uplift” to Christian much with the little they had, and came up with tion continued and the atrocities they suffered scene from “The Descent Building from the Cross”. Today, a Allied soldiers interned in prisoners-of-war ingenious ways to hold church services. Some increased over time. power substation occupies (POW) camps in Singapore during the Japanese churches were adapted from the ruined remains Here are examples of some POW churches the site of the former St Occupation (1942–45). of buildings or erected from salvaged materials, featured in the book. David’s Church. The 72-page book, released a year after the end of World War II, chronicles 20 churches, a synagogue, a memorial altar, a memorial cross 1 and a cemetery that were established by POWs Faith in Singapore and elsewhere. It is beautifully illustrated with 27 watercolour paintings, black- and-white sketches and photographs contributed Wartime Churches in Syonan-to by ex-internees. Short descriptions of each church accompany the illustrations. The book, containing a foreword by Frederick L. Hughes, Chaplain-General to the British forces, and an introduction by Major-General Arthur E. Christian POWs interned during the Japanese Percival, Commander-in-Chief of the Malaya Occupation found ingenious ways to worship. Command, serves as a valuable historical and visual record of the many churches that were built, Gracie Lee looks at a book documenting these dismantled, moved and rebuilt by POWs during makeshift churches in war-torn Singapore. the three-and-a-half years when Singapore was known as Syonan-to (Light of the South). It is a handy resource that complements the “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are numerous oral and written accounts on individual heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” POW experiences. The book was in fact used to identify the artist of the Changi Murals, Stanley – Matthew 11:28 Warren, when the paintings were “re-discovered” in 1958. It was also used by then Singapore Tour- ist Promotion Board in the design of the Changi Chapel during the 1980s. While the Changi Murals in the former St Luke’s Chapel in Roberts Barracks and the Changi Gracie Lee is a Senior Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. Chapel2 at the Changi Museum are the two most She works with the Rare Materials Collection, and her research areas are in recognisable ecclesiastical POW sites in Singapore colonial administration and Singapore’s publishing history. today, this book reminds contemporary readers

56 57 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / NL Notes

2. Adam Park Church (also known as St Michael’s Chapel) was established 2 3 on the upper floor of a bombed house in Adam Park (now No. 11 Adam Park) and opened on Pentecost Sunday on 24 May 1942. The altar cross was taken from the mortuary chapel at Alexandra Hospital, and the stained glass windows above the altar were constructed from glass pieces and transparent paper. In April 2016, the press reported the discovery of the remains of the church’s wall murals with the Bible verse, “Lift up your heads, O ye Gates and the King of Glory shall Come in”. The murals were drawn by Captain Reverend Eric Andrews, the camp interpreter and padre, using yellow clay and Reckitt’s Blue4. Adam Park served as a POW camp during the Japanese Occupation.

3. In April 1942, many POWs were dispersed to camps around the island. One such camp was set up at the Great World Amusement Park. To meet the spiritual needs of the servicemen, the Church of the Ascension at Great World opened on Ascension Day on 14 May 1942. The church was formed by combining four shop units, including a Chinese beauty parlour. Furnishings were scoured from empty shops in the amusement park and adapted for use. This may explain the hint of chinoiserie present in the interior of the church.

4. The architecture of St George’s Church, located near the Changi Gaol, is typical of open-air POW churches of the time. Built in 1944, this was the third iteration of St George’s Church – the first was near Changi Village and the second in Kanburi (or Kanchanaburi), Thailand. In this particular construction, the church had a rudi- 4 5 mentary “A” frame roof measuring 14 ft by 10 ft that functioned as a chancel and shelter for the altar. On the altar was a brass cross, known as the Changi Cross. It was fashioned from a 4.5 Howitzer shell in 1942 and followed the church during its various relocations. The rest of the church was exposed to the elements and enclosed only by an attap fence. The church also had permanent benches that could seat 200 people. Shrubs, creepers and tropical flowers were planted to beautify the sanctuary. In April 1945, the church moved for the fourth and last time to the officers’ area of Changi Prison. The altar cross currently resides at the Changi Museum.

5. St Paul’s Church, which opened in June 1944, was constructed inside Changi Gaol, between the Punishment and Isolation blocks. The pulpit, altar rails, lectern, cross and memorial tablets were recycled from the dismantled churches in the Selarang area. The church was the venue for the first Confirmation5 service after the liberation of Singapore in September 1945.

All images are from The Churches of the Captivity in Malaya by John Northridge Lewis Bryan and published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (1946). The author wishes to thank the society for granting permission to reproduce the images in this article.

Notes 5 Confirmation is a Christian sacrament or rite where adolescents or adults, having been Chua, S. K., & Tan, B. L. (Interviewers). (1983, September 22). Oral history interview with Imperial War Museums. (2016). Scenes in Changi prisoner-of-war camp, 1 Bryan, J. N. L. (1946). The churches of the captivity in Malaya. London: Society baptised as infants and now reached the age of reason, affirm their Christian beliefs and Mr Stanley Warren [Transcript of MP3 Recording No. 000205/08/08, p. 78]. Retrieved Singapore 1942. Retrieved from Imperial War Museums website. for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Call no.: RCLOS 940.5472595 BRY become a full member of the church. from National Archives of Singapore website. Stubbs, P. W. (2003). The Changi murals: The story of Stanley Warren’s war. 2 The open-air Changi Chapel in the Changi Museum is a representative replica of Cooper, J. (n.d.). Report on investigation of hidden mural at No. 11 Adam Park & hidden Singapore: Landmark Books. Call no.: RSING 940.547252092 STU the many chapels that were built by POWs during the Japanese Occupation. It is References calendar at No. 5 Adam Park. Retrieved from Adam Park Project website. Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1983, June 20). Oral history interview with Carl Francis de often mistaken to be an exact copy of an original war-time chapel, also named Amstutz, H. B. (1945). Prison camp ministries: The personal narrative of Hobart B. Cooper, J. (2016). Tigers in the park: The wartime heritage of Adam Park. Singapore: The Souza [Transcript of MP3 Recording No. 000290/07/01, pp.1–3, 7–11]. Retrieved the Changi Chapel, at the Royal Military College in Canberra, Australia. The Amstutz, 17 February 1942 to 7 September 1945. Singapore: Wesley Manse. Call no.: Literary Centre. Call no.: RSING 940.547252095957 COO from National Archives of Singapore website. chapel in Australia was first built in 1943 at Sime Road Camp and re-assembled RRARE 940.5478 AMS; Microfilm no.: NL 10071 Cordingly, L., & Waite, T. (2015). The Changi cross: A symbol of hope in the shadow of Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1983, June 20). Oral history interview with Carl Francis de by Australian forces at Changi Camp in 1944. After the war, the chapel structure Australian Government, National Capital Authority. (2013, March 19). Changi Chapel. death. Norwich: Art Angels Publishing. Call no.: RSING 940.5472520922 COR-[WAR] Souza [Transcript of MP3 Recording No. 000290/07/02, p. 14]. Retrieved from was dismantled and taken to Australia. In 1988, it was restored as a memorial Retrieved from National Capital Authority website. FEPOW Community. (n.d.). Reverend L V. Headley. Retrieved from FEPOW Community website. National Archives of Singapore website. to Australian POWs. In contrast to the chapel in Australia, Changi Chapel in Blackburn, K. (2015). The ghosts of Changi: Captivity and pilgrimage in Singapore. In K. Hamzah Muzaini & Yeoh, B. S. A. (2016). ‘Localising’ war representations at the Changi The Adam Park Project. (2016, May 22). Captain Eric Andrews – St Michael's Singapore is a simpler structure made from wooden planks with a high “A” frame Reeves, et. al. (Ed.), Battlefield events: Landscape, commemoration and heritage (pp. Chapel and Museum. In Contested memoryscapes: The politics of Second World War Chapel, Adam Park, Choral Register and Congregational Roll p. 285. Retrieved roof covered with attap (palm) leaves. Its thatched hut design is an archetype of 144–163). Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge. (Not available in NLB holdings) commemoration in Singapore (pp. 47–68). Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate. (Not from Adam Park Project website. the many make-shift open-air churches built at the time. Bryan, J. N. L. (1946). The churches of the captivity in Malaya. London: Society for available in NLB holdings) Zaccheus, M. (2016, April 11). WWII tale unravels at Adam Park bungalow. The 3 Holy Communion is a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and Promoting Christian Knowledge. Call no.: RCLOS 940.5472595 BRY Hayter, J. (1991). Priest in prison: Four years of life in Japanese-occupied Singapore, Straits Times. Retrieved from The Straits Times website. wine are partaken as the body and blood of Jesus Christ or as symbols of Chua, S. K., & Tan, B. L. (Interviewers). (1983, September 21). Oral history interview 1941–1945. Thornhill: Tynron. Call no.: RSING 940.547252092 HAY Christ’s body and blood in remembrance of Christ’s death. with Mr Stanley Warren [Transcript of MP3 Recording No. 000205/08/06, pp. 54–55]. Headley, G. (2009, March 10). The work of the church in the Japanese jail camps. 4 Reckitt’s Blue is a laundry whitener that contains traces of blue dye. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. Retrieved from From Harlech & London website.

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1. Raffles’ regulations reaffirmed Singapore’s position as a free port and created a basic set of laws for 1 matters such as registering the transfer of land and prohibiting slavery and gambling. He also provided for the appointment of magistrates to hear civil and criminal cases. Raffles penned an accompanying “Minute” in 1823 where he discussed the principles underlying his regulations. The minute has provided historians with the clearest exposition of the ideas guiding Singapore’s early legal development. This document is a contemporary copy, transcribed in 1823, of the first page of Raffles’ “Minute”.Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

2. This document with elaborate decorative borders is the original Third Charter of Justice, issued in 1855. Together with the Second Charter of Justice (1826), it marked the formal introduction of English law into Singapore. The Third Charter also marked the first appointment of a professional judge based in Singa- pore. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

for non-Europeans were handled by headmen who L AW settled cases according to their community's cus- toms and social mores. Europeans came under the of direct jurisdiction of the British Resident’s Court. Reception of English Law English law was legitimately received into Singa- 2 THE LAND pore through a royal charter dated 27 November A permanent exhibition on Singapore’s constitutional history – from 1826. Known as the Second Charter of Justice, this charter was a letters patent, or public royal its founding in 1819 to Independence in 1965 – opens at the National command, that bore the sovereign authority of the Gallery Singapore. Kevin Khoo details some of its highlights. British Crown. The Second Charter established a Court of Judicature for the Straits Settlements – comprising the Prince of Wales’ Island (Penang), Malacca and Singapore – and introduced a for- mally authorised and unified legal system based To raise awareness of how legal history illuminates called a “pragmatic document” that has provided on English common law to replace the previous major milestones in the story of our island-nation, the framework for social, political and economic system that relied on community headmen. a new exhibition, “Law of the Land: Highlights of development to help Singapore thrive.1 The problem with the Second Charter was Singapore’s Constitutional Documents”, opens on that there was only one Recorder (as judges 19 October 2016 at the former Chief Justice’s Cham- A New Legal System were then known) who had to travel to all three tber and Office at the National Gallery Singapore. territories. This issue was resolved when a Third Organised by the National Archives of Sin- The beginnings of Singapore’s modern constitu- Charter of Justice was proclaimed on 10 August gapore (NAS), the permanent exhibition explores tional development is tied to the arrival of Stamford 1855. It reaffirmed the reception of English law (Left) The exhibition, “Law of the the history of Singapore’s constitutional develop- Raffles in 1819.2 One of the first things that Raffles and provided for a second Recorder to be based Land: Highlights of Singapore’s ment from its founding as a British settlement did was to promulgate a series of six regulations in Singapore, in keeping with the increase in trade Constitutional Documents”, 4 opens on 19 October 2016 at the in 1819 to its emergence as a sovereign republic that were published in 1823. and population here. former Chief Justice’s Chamber in 1965. The exhibition features rare documents The legal ideas in this nascent set of laws and Office at the National Gal- from the collections of the NAS and the National were based on English law, adapted to accom- The Crown Colony Constitution lery Singapore. (The Supreme Library that capture key moments in Singapore’s modate the customs of Singapore’s indigenous Court and adjoining City Hall constitutional history. and migrant communities. Unfortunately, these A major constitutional milestone was reached in re-opened in November 2015 as the National Gallery.) Pic- The Constitution of the Republic of Singa- regulations were essentially illegal, as Raffles did 1867 when the Straits Settlements was declared tured here is the former Office pore (the Constitution) is the supreme law of not have the authority to enact laws and intended a British Crown Colony with a new constitution of the Chief Justice. All rights the land that all other Singapore laws conform his regulations to be provisional until a formally that granted the colony its first legislature. The reserved, Darren Soh and the to. It prescribes the important distribution of authorised legal code was established. Legislative Council was constitutionally delegated National Gallery Singapore. Kevin Khoo is an Archivist authority between the three arms of the state: the These provisional regulations were in force with “full power and authority” to establish local at the National Archives legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The at least up to 18263 – the year Singapore became laws, ordinances, taxes and institutions as well of Singapore. His current Constitution also safeguards fundamental rights part of the Straits Settlements together with as approve government appointments. responsibilities focus on Singaporeans enjoy, such as equality before the Malacca and Penang – and although they provided In practice, however, the British Governor archival research and content development. law, equal protection of the law and the freedom of for a basic legal system applicable to all in the wielded control over most of the colony’s affairs: religion, among others. The Constitution has been Singapore settlement, in practice most disputes he initiated legislation, had the power to veto bills

60 61 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016 Vol. 12 / Issue 03 / NL Notes

and also had the deciding vote when legislature was political participation another step towards self- 3 3. The Proclamation of Malaysia document evenly divided – his considerable powers limited governance. (The remaining nine commissioners declared the merger of the Federation of only by the British Colonial Office in London. Until were nominated and appointed by the British 4 Malaya with the British Crown Colonies the 1920s, the majority of the legislature members colonial government.) of Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo were nominated senior civil servants from the The 1950s saw the rumblings of a political (Sabah) into a new Federation of Malaysia. colony’s administration. awakening in Singapore as well as major constitu- It was a formal declaration of the change of Singapore’s constitutional status to a The Crown Colony constitution also paved the tional changes that finally brought an end to British state of Malaysia. Courtesy of National way for crucial judicial reforms that initiated the colonial rule. The first major development was a Archives of Singapore. separation of the Straits Settlement’s executive review of the constitution by the Rendel Commis- and judicial arms, which had overlapped since sion appointed in 1953 (with the Rendel Constitution 4. This royal warrant was received in 1948 from the Garter King of Arms, the most Raffles' time. The Governor ceased to be a judge coming into effect on 8 February 1955). Among senior officer of the British College of and the reforms gave new autonomy to the Courts the key changes recommended and implemented Arms, after an application by the Singapore (Below) In 1868, Sir Peter Max- in deciding matters of the law. The office of the was a system of automatic registration of voters Municipal Commission for a coat of arms. well Benson, the Recorder of Chief Justice also originated from these reforms: and the formation of a 32-member Legislative Its reception was a momentous occasion, Singapore, was appointed Chief in 1868, the Recorder of Singapore , Peter Maxwell Assembly where, for the first time, a majority of demonstrating how Singapore’s consti- Justice of the Straits Settle- tutional identity at the time was firmly ments in recognition of Singa- Benson, was appointed as the Chief Justice of the 25 representatives were elected by the people. entrenched in traditional British ideas. pore’s importance as the centre Straits Settlements in recognition of Singapore’s In the ensuing election held on 2 April 1955, the Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. of government and commerce importance as the centre of government and com- Labour Front emerged as the dominant party by within the Straits Settlements. merce within the Straits Settlements.5 winning 10 of the 17 seats it contested. Its leader 5. The 1958 Singapore Constitution Order- in-Council. These pages featured show Supreme Court Collection, David Marshall was appointed as the first Chief courtesy of National Archives the creation of the post of Yang di-Pertuan of Singapore. From Colony to Self-Governing State Minister of Singapore. Negara, the Head of State of self-gov- (Bottom) Under the Singapore The second major development took place in erning Singapore, which would replace Constitution Order-in-Council When the British returned to Singapore after 1958 when Singapore attained self-government. the British Governor. The last British 1958, the British Governor was the Japanese Occupation (1942–45) ended, they The Singapore Constitution Order-in-Council 1958, Governor of Singapore, Sir William Goode, replaced with a locally appointed became Singapore’s first Yang di-Pertuan Head of State or Yang di-Pertuan dissolved the Straits Settlements on 1 April 1946 which replaced the 1955 Rendel Constitution, Negara, to assist a smooth transition to Negara. Yusof bin Ishak was and made Singapore a standalone Crown Colony was the culmination of intense efforts by local the new constitution. Yusof bin Ishak was sworn in as Singapore’s first with its own constitution. The British also decided political leaders to agitate for political autonomy installed as Singapore’s first local Yang Yang di-Pertuan Negara on to gradually introduce democracy into Singapore for Singapore. In 1956, Marshall led the First di-Pertuan Negara on 3 December 1959. On this historical date and momentous 5 December 1959. Ministry of to satisfy growing demands from the people for All-Party Mission (with representatives from the Information and the Arts Col- occasion, the Singapore flag was unveiled lection, courtesy of National greater say in the government. In 1948, a new con- Democratic Party, Labour Front, People’s Action and "Majulah Singapura" was launched as Archives of Singapore. stitution came into effect, which for the first time, Party, Progressive Party and the Singapore Alli- the national anthem. Courtesy of National provided for six elected seats in the legislature. ance) to London to negotiate for self-government. Archives of Singapore. This introduced democratic elections in Singapore When the talks broke down, Marshall resigned and and the first Legislative Council election was held his successor, Lim Yew Hock, who led the second on 20 March 1948.6 and third All-Party Missions to London in 1957 under Lee Kuan Yew sought merger with greater 5 In April 1949, the British also permitted an and 1958 respectively, was able to successfully urgency. Apart from the fact that the PAP had election for members of the Municipal Commission achieve self-government for Singapore. promised a merger in the 1959 election, there (renamed the City Council in 1951), a government The Constitution of 1958 outlined three key were other reasons why securing a hinterland was body in charge of municipal services such as objectives: it provided for a fully-elected 51-seat so vital towards sustaining Singapore’s economy. sanitation, health, water and roads. The Com- Legislative Assembly; replaced the post of British However, Lee was similarly rebuffed as the mission became the first public institution to be Governor with a locally appointed Head of State (the Tunku was concerned with the rise of pro-commu- installed with a popularly elected majority – 18 Yang di-Pertuan Negara); and created the office nist radicalism in Singapore and the question of out of its 27 members were elected, taking local of Prime Minister. The British, however, retained how Singapore’s large Chinese population would control over Singapore’s defence and foreign impact Malaya’s racial balance. But in May 1961, affairs, and had a large say in its internal security.7 the Tunku acknowledged the possibility of merger By this time the People’s Action Party (PAP) when speaking to foreign correspondents who had risen to the political forefront. Following were holding a meeting in Singapore. the victory of the PAP in the election held in May By then, the Malayan leader was convinced 1959, Lee Kuan Yew was sworn in as Singapore’s that it was easier to control the rising communist first Prime Minister on 5 June. In December that threat from Singapore through a merger. Merger a new 1963 State of Singapore Constitution and same year, Yusof bin Ishak became Singapore’s was also made more palatable with British support retained much autonomy in the newly constituted first local-born Head of State. for a new federation that would include the Borneo Federation of Malaysia. Singapore’s executive Territories – North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak and and legislative branches of government retained Merger and Separation Brunei. On 16 September 1963, the Federation of control of the island’s day-to-day administration Malaysia, comprising the former states of Malaya, except in the areas of foreign affairs, defence and Singapore’s size and the lack of natural resources Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah), internal security. However, the failure to achieve or hinterland had long underpinned the belief that it was born, with Brunei opting out of the merger. economic concessions for Singapore and other could not survive as an independent state. Merger Singapore was now constitutionally independent political issues quickly marred relations between with Malaya had been raised as early as 1955, first from Britain.8 the Singapore government and the federal govern- by David Marshall and then by Lim Yew Hock, but Merger did not significantly change the ment of Malaysia. The political tussles became the Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman provisions relating to the legislative and execu- racially charged, resulting in fatal riots in Sin- was not receptive to the idea. The PAP government tive bodies in Singapore. Singapore was granted gapore in July and September 1964. Separation

62 63 BiblioASIA oCT – DEC 2016

became a necessity. The merger had barely introduce safeguards to protect minority rights. lasted 23 months.9 This led to the formation of the Presidential Coun- cil in 1970, which was renamed the Presidential 10 Finally – a Sovereign Republic of Singapore Council for Minority Rights in 1973. As the government moved swiftly to ensure the survival of Singapore on numerous fronts, “WHEREAS it is the inalienable right of (Below) Newly appointed Minis- from defence to the economy, the new nation had ter for Law, Edmund W. Barker, a people to be free and independent” in his office at the Ministry of to make do in its first decades with a composite Law, 1964. He drafted the Proc- – Proclamation of Singapore, 1965 constitution comprising the Republic of Singapore lamation of Singapore proclaim- Independence Act, amendments to the 1963 State of ing Singapore an independent On 9 August 1965, Singapore was pro- Singapore Constitution and certain imported provi- and sovereign republic on 9 claimed an independent and sovereign repub- sions from the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. A August 1965. The Proclamation was signed by Prime Minister lic. The Proclamation of Singapore was drafted consolidated Constitution was issued only in 1980. Lee Kuan Yew. Ministry of Infor- by Edmund W. Barker, the first Minister for Although the basic framework of the Con- mation and the Arts Collection, Law, and signed by Prime Minister Lee Kuan stitution has remained to this day, it has evolved courtesy of National Archives of Yew. It outlined the new country’s aspirations, over time to meet challenges and changing needs. Singapore. declaring Singapore to be forever a “sovereign, Some key changes include the entrenchment of democratic and independent nation founded Singapore’s state sovereignty in 1973; the resto- on the principles of liberty and justice, and ration of a two-thirds majority for constitutional ever seeking the welfare and happiness of amendments in 1979; the introduction of an elected her people in a more just and equal society”. presidency in 1991; and amendments that have One of the first constitutional issues created a uniquely Singaporean legislature through addressed in the immediate post-Independ- the introduction of the non-constituency Member ence years was the need to ensure that the of Parliament (1984), the Group Representation communal tensions that led to the riots of Constituency (1988), and the Nominated Member 1964 would never be repeated. A constitutional of Parliament (1990). commission was formed under Chief Justice These amendments highlight how Singa- Wee Chong Jin to examine the constitution and pore’s Constitution has evolved and is likely to continue doing so in the years to come as it strives 6 to remain an effective guardian of the nation’s aspirations outlined in the 1965 Proclamation.

Notes 1 Tan, K. Y. L. (2015). Singapore chronicles: Constitution (pp. 110–111). Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies: Straits Times Press. Call no.: RSING 342.5957 TAN 2 Tan, 2015, p. 7. 3 Straits Settlements Records, L17: Raffles – Letters to Singapore at National Archives of Singapore; Tan, K. Y. L. (2005). A short legal and constitutional history of Singapore (pp. 29–31). In K. Y. L. Tan. (Ed.), Essays in Singapore legal history. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Academic and the Singapore Academy of Law. Call no.: RSING 349.9597 ESS 4 Chionh, M. (2005). The development of the court system (pp. 98–104). In Y. L. Tan. (Ed.), Essays in Singapore legal history. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Academic and the Singapore Academy of Law). Call no.: RSING 349.9597 ESS 5 Turnbull, C. M. (1989). A history of Singapore, 1819–1988 (pp. 76–83). Singapore: Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR-[HIS]; Chionh, 2005, pp. 104–107. 6 Turnbull, 1989, pp.216–234. 7 Lee K. Y. (1998). The Singapore story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew (pp. 177–267). Singapore: Times Editions: Singapore Press Holdings. Call no.: RSING 959.57 LEE-[HIS]; Hickling, R. H. (1992). Origins of constitutional government (pp, 26–35). In R. H. 6. The Proclamation of Singapore is a landmark document that publicly declared Hickling. (Ed.), Essays in Singapore law. Petaling Jaya: Pelanduk Singapore’s separation from Malaysia and its beginnings as an independent and Publications. Call no.: RSING 349.5957 HIC sovereign republic. The Proclamation was first read via a Radio Singapura broadcast 8 Kwa, C. G., Heng, D., & Tan, T. Y. (2009). Singapore, a 700-year at 10 am on 9 August 1965 by radio anchor Steven Lee. As recalled later by Lee Kuan history: From early emporium to world city (pp. 157–174). Yew in his memoirs, he was simply too busy with the many things that had to be Singapore: National Archives of Singapore. Call no.: RSING done in quick succession after the separation to personally read the Proclamation 959.5703 KWA-[HIS]; Turnbull, 1989, pp.251–285. on radio. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. 9 Lee, 1998, pp. 540–663; Turnbull, 1989, pp. 251–285. 10 Tan, 2005, pp. 48–54.

64 An Exhibition by: