In our previous exhibition, If Walls Could Talk: A Dive Into Heritage, featured paintings of old shophouses and the richness of the past lives and memories that once filled those walls. We invited guests to explore these representations of our nation’s history with us and to immerse themselves in the artists’ recollections of our past.

The Streets of Yore: Familiar Days, is a follow-up exhibition that now showcases the iconic streets of the past and endearing scenes of everyday life, and is an attempt at understanding how our featured artists were able to capture the joy and beauty found in the simplicity of life in Singapore despite the hardship and uncertainty from a tumultuous economy and new leadership that followed after the war.

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Our latest collection features exquisite and exciting memorable scenes of carefree children playing under old HDB blocks, grannies and their entourage of grandchildren bargaining with fruit vendors at the wet market, charcoal embers emitting a brilliant orange glow as satay hawkers fan them, Samsui women seated on their wooden stools and resting after a tiring day, goods being dropped off from bumboats at quays along the Singapore River which would later be named Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, and Kampong storytellers captivating audiences with folklore and tales of mythicality.

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Records of a time that many would look fondly upon. These works are also a visual testament to the persistence and hope that was held tightly to, braving an unknown future.

What kind of emotions are invoked when one reminisces about the familiar streets and scenes of Singapore? What do we think about when we think about our past?