The Quiet Roar of Toa Payoh

By Ng Siang Hoi, Friends of The Disabled Society

The artist carries the dragon in memory as a spirit of the time — bold, gentle, and full of wonder. Built in 1979, the Dragon Playground rose in Toa Payoh, where concrete met imagination. Children ran barefoot, laughter echoed through corridors, and the scent of cooking mingled with evening light. Though the sounds have faded, the artist still feels its rhythm. In this painting, the artist does not seek to recreate every detail but instead captures the feeling towards this nostalgic symbol. The red still burns bright against the grey of time. The trees frame the dragon like old friends who never left. This is the artist’s offering for SG60 — a breath of the past, with the dragon watching quietly as Singapore grows.

About

For over six decades, Siang Hoi has transformed silence into visual poetry through his distinctive mixed media artworks. Since learning from a Deaf art teacher at 14, he discovered in painting, its not just a passion, but a profound way to communicate with the world. Now at 75, he continues his artistic practice with the same quiet determination that has defined his journey. Working in a unique blend of watercolour, acrylic, and ink, he breathes life into nostalgic scenes of Singapore's past — from bustling marketplaces to riverside villages.

SKU: FDS-013

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Dimensions (WxH): 31cm x 31cm