Near Elizabeth Walk (present Esplanade site)

Liu Kang, Near Elizabeth Walk (present Esplanade site), 1979, oil on canvas, 127 x 203 cm, collection of National Heritage Board

Elizabeth Walk is a seafront promenade located near the Esplanade theatres. Adopting the one-point perspective seen often in his paintings, Liu Kang shows cafe patrons enjoying a leisurely tea in the foreground with a view of a landscaped park beyond.

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.