Chinatown Shop Houses

By Christina Lau Lay Lian, Mouth and Foot Painting Artists

Rooted in Singapore’s early days as a British trading post, the shophouses of Chinatown were built to meet both the commercial and domestic needs of Chinese immigrants who arrived in successive waves. These structures stand as testaments to lives built far from home. The Chinese provision shop, captured by Christina Lau here, reflects the ebbs and flows of life and the layered histories of a community finding its place. Within its shelves and shadows, one sees not just goods, but stories of generations folded into jars, drawers, and handwritten signs. This is a space where memory lingers in the ordinary, and heritage lives on.

About

After a life-changing car accident in 2005 that left her with C6 spinal cord injury, Christina Lau discovered new ways to express herself through art. Despite being paralysed from her chest down and the loss of finger movements, she transformed her journey from Prison Officer to artist, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Through her artwork, she continues to share her unique perspective, proving that creativity knows no physical bounds.

SKU: MFPA-047

Medium: Watercolour Painting

Dimensions (WxH): 33cm x 43cm