Portraits of History VI - Portraits of History VI
2014-2015
Little India
Now Exhibiting at Muffinry
112, Telok Ayer Street
Documenting the living before they become history. For the dead shall rest in peace. And, nothing is more vivid and intriguing than those which are living.
iphone:98150357 • choomengfoo@gmail.com
The Vegetable Street, 27th Jan 2015
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$650
Description
Drawn with Platinum Desk Pen 14K EF Nib with Atramentis Archive Ink.
Along The Buffalo Road are many shops selling vegetables and through the years the numbers have increased. Selling vegetables have perhaps been more profitable than selling spices. Daisy Green occupies two shop lots and it is one whose business is flourishing. The displays overflow to the five-foot ways and turns round the corner along the partition wall. Every space is worthy of more business opportunity. The shop intrudes into public spaces, calling out to the passerby. It becomes a certain social, spatial arrangement, giving Little India its special flavor.
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
Private Collection
Description
Drawn with Platinum EF nib and Sailor SEF Nib Lamy Ink. The temple is located in the middle section of Serangoon Road (Little India). It is dedicated to the Goddess Kali, who embodies the power of time, change and destruction. Perhaps it is also the manifestation of Brahman the supreme power. Kali is always depicted with ferocity. One common scene is her sticking her tongue with Lord Shiva beneath her foot. The legend has it that she was carried away with killing the enemy in the war such that she killed everyone in her way. To stop her Lord Shiva threw himself beneath her feet. She stuck out.
The Fish Monger, 25th Jan 2015
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
Collected
Description
Drawn with Pilot Penmanship EF Nib with Black Ink cartridge that comes with the pen.
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$700
$700
Description
Drawn with Sailor 1911 Demonstrator Transparent Clear F Nib with Sailor Black Ink. This would be one of the oldest Prata stall in Little India. Most of the cooks appear to be at least above 50 years old. One of them sport a dark glass. He was responsible to fry the Prata, others turned and flipped the Prata while another was the cashier. They knew their job well and they work like clockwork. There wasn’t much talking nor shouting.
The Little India Tailor, 2014
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$900
Description
The tailor rent the small table outside of the shophouse for slightly less than two thousand dollars, I was told. Amazing that sewing for simple alteration for the pants could sustain that kind of rental.
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$650
Description
Drawn with Platinum 3776 EF Nib.
It is a common scene where old India gentleman’s dressing in their neatly ironed traditional daily wear, having his breakfast. The same beverage and the same Prata, nothing special, nothing bothers him. Every day is just another day. The same dressing, but he is not complaining about boredom as everyday is another repeat of the same. Perhaps he has seen through all the fancy and superficiality of live. Perhaps the ultimate reality lies in the flavour of ‘masala cha’ and the daily recurrence.
I’m a King, Dec 2014
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$950
Description
Drawn with Platinum 3776 EF Nib with Lamy Ink.
Perhaps all of us wish that we are all kings. For being a king, we can have all we want and be free from the materialistic world. However, can we be free from the spiritual world of Gods. Perhaps not, as we see him, declaring 'I am a King' and yet praying to the Lord of Hinduism. The King of the Jungle looks at him, roaring in his supremacy. The Lion too is a King. Who's the King of Kings.
For those who desire supremacy, there is always a price to pay. Perhaps it comes with great responsibilities too. All those idling will look above them to find an easy way to life, as if the well-to-do ought to share their results of labour. The smart should help those lagging behind. The rich should distribute their wealth. The rulers should benefit their citizens. One wonders if supremacy is still good with such responsibilities and burden. Can the King bear it?
Prayers, 2015
Choo Meng Foo
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
The Little India Series
$700
Description
Drawn with Sailor 1911 Demonstrator Red F Nib with Sailor Black Ink
People frantically moving around her. She is aware and yet oblivious to them as she prostrates before the supreme goddess, like an obedient child. Kali is the ferocious mother that traverse across time and made every devotee her child. The motherly nature in her woes every devotee to confide to her and she would answer their prayers.
Black/White Side, November 2014
As I walk the path of a young Artist before continuing my education. I’ve started compiling the Portraits of History Series with Little India, Telok Ayer and Gardens by The Bay.
Shengyiyu@gmail.com
Telok Ayer garden
January 2015
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD150
Description
The small garden along Telok Ayer Street beside the Indian Muslim Heritage Centre. The pond reflects the shophouses nearby this conserved area.
Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, January 2015
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD150
Sold LookArchitects
Description
Since 1830, it was built on the sandy beach of Telok Ayer, followed by a restoration work in 2007.
Forest Circuit, December 2014
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD150
Description
The bridges connecting each SuperTree from this distance forms a circuit, it implies to me the circle of life as it brings glory to our green home, Singapore.
GBTB super tree
december 2014
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD300
Description
At this angle, it shows that the tree is much bigger than the usual ones we see in Singapore.
Man-Made Tree
december 2014
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
210mm x 149mm
SGD150
Description
Gardens By The Bay is filled with huge trees made by man.
Focus
december 2014
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD150
SOLD Lookarchitects
Description
On the second level Teka Market, a floor which caters to Tailoring Business its surprising to see a male Tailor as oppose to fairy tales where most Tailors are Women.
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD150
Description
Cheap slippers on sale along the busy vegetable street Buffalo Rd.
Matchless gifts
December 2014
Zhu Shengyiyu
Ink on Acid Free Paper
149mm x 210mm
SGD300
Description
A scenario between a buyer and seller.
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