“Miracles” is a blockbuster solo exhibition by Cultural Medallion recipient and watercolorist Ong Kim Seng. Regarded as one of Asia’s most distinguished practitioners of the medium, Ong unveils a curated collection of 20 watercolour masterpieces completed over a span of five decades.
The exhibition draws its title from the oft-invoked characterisation of Singapore as a “miracle” – a fledgling nation, devoid of natural resources, that has defied the odds to achieve extraordinary transformation and global standing. At the heart of Miracles is a lyrical evocation of this spirit, most poignantly expressed in the exhibition’s centrepiece, Collecting Miracle Water at the Foot of Mount Faber. In this allegorical painting, entire communities congregate around a mythical well believed to possess healing powers – a visual fable of collective faith, resilience, and renewal that echoes the very spirit of Singapore’s own remarkable journey.
The work belongs to a suite of five works commissioned by Spectrum, a now-defunct local newspaper, and created by Ong Kim Seng to commemorate 25 years of Singapore’s nation-building in 1984, beginning with its attainment of internal self-governance in 1959. Unlike Ong’s typical landscapes, these compositions are exceptionally rare for their detailed, figurative portrayals, which are the result of Ong’s careful study of historical events.
The second group of works illustrates scenes of Singapore that have since vanished from the urban landscape. Of this body of watercolours, eight are published in the volume Heartlands – Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng produced in conjunction with a landmark exhibition held at the Singapore Art Museum from 16 October to 30 November 2008. The Hokkien Street, Tampines, and Chinese Garden, Jurong portrayed in these paintings are markedly different from the developed areas we see today. The final group of watercolours, completed in the 2010s, captures historical architecture nestled within the fabric of modern Singapore. These include scenes of shophouses along Emerald Hill, set against the backdrop of the Orchard Road shopping belt, and Lau Pa Sat situated within the heart of the Central Business District.
Though still considered a young nation, Singapore bears a richly layered history. From the era of British colonial rule to its emergence as a modern metropolis, countless moments of progress – each a miracle – have shaped the nation’s journey. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of our independence, Ong Kim Seng’s Miracles offers a contemplative space to honour that past, express gratitude for the present, and look ahead with renewed hope as we continue writing the Singapore story while safeguarding the miracle it represents.
Venue: Confluence Art Space, 2 Havelock Road, #02-29 Havelock 2, Singapore 059763
When: 21 Jun - 21 Jul 2025,
