The photo used in the poster was taken by me by the Singapore River in 2002. I was captivated by the reflections in the water at that time. Now, I have reinterpreted it to express the nostalgia after 14 years.

Remembering my father’s words, he mentioned that when he was a child, they lived by the Singapore River during the British colonial era in the 1950s, before Singapore gained independence in 1965. Although the river was very dirty back then, they often played in it, and pig heads would sometimes float by, which is an unimaginable scene today.

After spending eleven years in China, I now understand why ancient people, when “thinking of their hometown,” often mention the mountains and rivers of their homeland. Although Singapore can’t boast lush mountains and beautiful rivers (the highest hill, Bukit Timah, is only 163 meters high), the Singapore River is, in many places, just a canal. However, for resource-poor Singapore, every hill and every stream is extremely precious. Every drop of water is stored as much as possible. The Singapore River, flowing into Marina Bay, is, in essence, a large reservoir. Every scenic spot in Singapore is utilized, whether to attract tourists or to provide residents with places to stroll, play, and fly kites. We don’t waste these natural resources, and the Singapore River is a prime example.