Born in Fujian Province, Liu Kang (1911-2004) received his formal training in Shanghai Academy of Fine Art, where he was exposed to Chinese paintings. In 1928, he went to Paris where he was influenced by art movements such as Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. Not only was he one of Singapore’s pioneer artists, he was also a leading figure in the Society of Chinese Artists and the Singapore Art Society. In 1970, he was awarded the Public Service Star for his contributions in the field of art.‘Life By The River’ portrays a typical, local scene of village life near the Pasir Panjang area, located at the western part of Singapore in the 1970s. Set against a backdrop of lush tropical scenery, the painting depicts the lively activities of the locals in the foreground. Nearer the centre of the work, Liu also captures a typical aspect of the kampong living—people feeding their domestic animals (ducks). The architectural features such as the structural form of the village houses, its supports and the walkway linking the kampong houses are also depicted in some detail.
