Roving Art Truck History Quiz

Persecution (1963), Koeh Sia Yong 

Which historical event during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore is this artwork depicting? 

• British Surrender

• Sook Ching

• Battle of Bukit Timah

• Forced march of Chinese volunteers to Changi Prison

Answer explanation

Sook Ching is a Chinese term meaning “purge through cleansing.” Operation Sook Ching took place in Singapore from February 21 to March 4, 1942.

It was a military operation carried out by the Japanese with the intent of executing anti-Japanese Chinese men between the ages of 18 and 50.

What do you think is the artist’s purpose in drawing this painting? 

• To make people remember about the humiliation of the British

• To document Japanese atrocities against Chinese civilians

• To honor the bravery of the Chinese volunteers in the Second World War

• To document Japanese brutalities against Chinese prisoners-of-war

May 13 Incident (1954), Choo Keng Kwang 

Which statement best describes the message of this woodcut painting? 

• The May 13 Incident was a case of police violence 

• The May 13 incident was a case of student violence

• The May 13 incident was a case of both police and student violence

• The May 13 incident was a case of unjust use of state violence against unarmed students 

Answer explanation

What do you think is the purpose of the artwork? 

• To let the viewer understand who is the culprit and victim of this violent riot 

• To make the viewer empathize with the Chinese students 

• To make the viewer indignant with colonialism

• All of the above 

• None of the above

Life By the River (1975), Liu Kang

The place depicted in the artwork is _________________ in the 1970s

• Kampong Potong Pasir

• Kampong Pasir Ris

• Kampong Pasir Panjang

• Kampong Pasir Laba

Answer explanation

'Life by the River' portrays a typical, local scene of village life in the 1970s, near the Pasir Panjang Area, located near the western prt of Singapore.

The painting depicts the lively activities of the locals and captures a typical aspect of kampong living people feeding their domestic animals (ducks).

Study this artwork, which statement best describes the state of public housing in Singapore in the 1970s?

(Hint 36% of the population lived in HDB at the end of the 1970s) 

• Most people lived in the kampongs as public housing were not available 

• Some people still lived in the kampongs because they enjoyed the kampong life 

• Most people lived in kampongs because there were not enough HDB flats 

• Most people still lived in Kampongs because public housing was not prevalent, they disliked living in HDB estates, and their jobs required them to stay in the rural areas.

Chua Mia Tee (1977), Portable Cinema 

Which street scene do you think the painting is depicting? 

• Little India

• Kampong Glam

• Chinatown

• City Hall

Answer explanation

For only a few cents, one could peep through the slots on the specially-constructed white box with a red roof and view one's favourite legendary or cartoon characters in action - Robin Hood, Tarzan, Frankenstein, Popeye and Donald Duck. It was cheap and good entertainment.

To watch the shows, just tell the vendor what you want and he would start the reels moving - at a fee, of course.

The cinema on wheels disappeared from the streets in the 1970s.

Why do you think the artist drew this picture? 

• He is a fan of portable cinema

• He is interested in the machine because he has not seen it before

• He wants to document this scene because this form of entertainment is quickly disappearing as Singapore develops economically 

• He wants to show what children do in their free time

Singapore Waterfront (1963), Georgette Chen 

What is the stone building featured in the center of the waterfront? 

• City Hall Building

• Hill Street Building  

• Empress Place Building

• Fullerton Building 

From the painting, which statement best describes the function of the Singapore waterfront in the 1960s? 

• It was a government district 

• It was an economic district 

• It was a sea ferry terminal 

• All of the above

• None of the above

Answer explanation

In the 1820s, a fortress was built on the rocky promontory. Named Fort Fullerton after the first Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir Robert Fullerton, it commanded high views over the Singapore River on the North, and the harbour to the South.