‘SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSES IN HERITAGE BRIGHTS’

Limited Edition of 50 - printed in archival Giclee inks onto fine 310gsm German Hahnemuhle etching paper.

Scroll down for ‘The story behind the print’ / Click on ‘Buy Now’ for sizes, prices & finish

This is a limited edition of 50 prints only - printed in archival Giclee inks onto 310gsm German Hahnemuhle etching paper.

THE STORY BEHIND THE PRINT...   

Like so many of my prints, I’m constantly inspired by the architectural delights that Singapore has to offer.

These exquisite heritage shophouses, often pastel candy coloured and adorned with “jewels” of decorative plasterwork are an iconic part of the city. They sit in stark contrast against the modern glass and steel skyline so synonymous with the images many will recognise as Singapore. Each house was designed for the owner to sell their wares from the ground floor with an undercover ‘5 foot way’ out the front, whilst their families lived in the rooms above. Historically, these entrepreneurial shophouses were busy hubs of trading of all kinds of items from hand embroidered silk slippers to exotic spices. Thankfully today many still remain and have been renovated to accommodate shops, restaurants, bars and cafes and you can still buy anything from steaming parcels of rice to hand made rattan furniture.

Each area a little different to the next, from the traditional Clan Houses and elegant shophouses of Bukit Pasoh to the more gritty urban feel of Joo Chiat, this print is a celebration of the melting pot of businesses and people who occupy these heritage buildings. The Singapore shophouse remains a very special shopping experience for locals and tourists alike.

This print features some much loved personal favourites of mine such as The Alchemist, a gorgeous boutique coffee company who have renovated an old biscuit factory just a few hundred yards from Hock Siong - famous for their eclectic vintage furniture and antiques. Another frequently used ‘Hill family favourite’ is the old bicycle repair shop that sits around the corner from Koon Seng Road where we used to live in one of the candy coloured shophouses.

Lanterns swing from windows and a community banner for the Hungry Ghost Festival drapes across a doorway bringing news of fun festivities. To add more layers of detail, I have sprinkled my print with other imagery I adore such as the little embroidered clouds and exotic birds in the sky taken from some vintage fabric, the iconic Singaporean Rose Brand Syrup which has beautifully bright packaging and the pretty Bourgainvillia which you find everywhere across the island.

The design brings together a colourful uplifting celebration of the traditional Singaporean shophouse with a nod to the vibrant daily street life here in Singapore.

SIZE:

Image size: 18.5 H X 48 W " inches | 47 H x 122 W cm (image area) with a 1.5" or 4 cm white border.  

Fully framed size: 26.5 H x 56 W " inches | 67 H cm x 142 W cm - including a 2.5” white mat board and 2cm frame.

FINISH & CERTIFICATION:

Printed onto 310gsm Hahnemuhle German Etching Paper, this print is signed, numbered and stamped with a Louise Hill Design ‘blind embossing stamp’ on the front. Each print also includes a 'Certificate of Authenticity' sticker sealed with my gold foil logo, embossed stamp, signature and edition number for attaching to the back of the print once framed.

Please see our info on framing here. 

WALL HANGING INFO:

AS THIS IS A LARGE PIECE, IT COMES WITH TWO HOOKS IN PLACE ON THE BACK OF THE FRAMED PRINT AND SHOULD BE HUNG ON TWO SCREWS IN THE WALL, ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT CORNERS.  PLEASE ASK A HANDYMAN OR A LOCAL FRAMER TO HANG THE PIECE FOR YOU.