1. The River Merchants, 2003
Artist: Aw Tee Hong
Location: Singapore River, in front of Maybank Tower
This bronze sculpture depicts a quintessential scene from the early days of entrepôt trade in Singapore. Here, prominent Scottish merchant Alexander Laurie Johnston mediates between a Chinese trader and a Malay chief, while coolies load sacks onto a bullock cart (not pictured).
2. Progress & Advancement, 1988
Artist: Yang Ying Feng
Location: Raffles Place
This 8.5m-tall behemoth (which tips the scales at a whopping nine metric tonnes) is a stylised representation of Singapore’s Central Business District, celebrating the advancement of the city’s financial sector.
3. First Generation, 2000
Artist: Chong Fah Cheong
Location: Near Cavanagh Bridge
Created as part of a series, this playful installation depicts five boys jumping into the Singapore River. It represents Singapore’s first-generation immigrants and the role that the river played in their lives as a source of fun and entertainment.
4. Jelly Baby Family, 2012
Artist: Mauro Perucchetti
Location: Plaza Singapura
Reminiscent of oversized gummy bears, these quirky, colourful characters embody family unity and the multiculturalism of modern society.
5. From Chettiars to Financiers, 2002
Artist: Chern Lian Shan
Location: Singapore River, near the Asian Civilisations Museum
This sculpture embodies the various financial institutions of olden-day Singapore. For instance, the figure seated at the low desk represents a South Indian chettiar (moneylender), while the second figure in the middle portrays a Chinese clerk. The figure on the right, in the tailored jacket, depicts a trader.
