First Generation Sculpture, Singapore Overview

The First Generation Sculpture is a major tourist attraction which adorns the banks of the Singapore River near the Fullerton Hotel. It is one of the rarest pieces of art, portraying five boys playing by the bank. It has beautifully captured the essence of the carefree days of the first immigrants of Singapore by freezing the motion of the boys about to jump into the river, naked. In the former days, swimming in the river was a common pastime. The Singapore River was but a huge swimming pool, and the residents had the time of their lives in it. This life-like sculpture is a revival of the fun-filled days of Singapore as it used to be earlier.

In the words of Michelangelo, 'Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it'; and indeed, what a breathtaking sculpture was envisioned by the famous Singaporean sculptor, Chong Fah Cheong! He saw five boys in bronze and did not stop carving until he set them free. The dynamic First Generation Sculpture was unveiled on the 31st of December, 2000 and has remained at the same historically significant site by the riverbank till date. It was created as an honour to the immigrants of Singapore and to remind the present generation of the former in the economic as well as social development of this proliferating city.

History of the First Generation Sculpture

The extraordinary First Generation was created as a part of a series of sculptures that were to adorn various places of Singapore. The Singapore Tourism Board initiated the Open Air Interpretative Centre Project and approached many sculptors for the same. Cheong's sculpture was the first to be unveiled, in 2000, among the four sculptures that made up the "People of the River" series. The other three sculptures, namely, From Chettiars to Financiers, The River Merchants, and A Great Emporium, each unveiled in 2002, are also situated near this area.

Tips For Visiting First Generation Sculpture

Even though the area around the Singapore River is well-lit at night, it is best to visit this place before dark if you wish to take in the fine details carved in this sculpture.

How To Reach First Generation Sculpture

Fullerton Road is well connected to the major parts of the city and a number of buses are available. Buses 531, 541, 663, 850 E and 868 are to name a few. The nearest MRT station is the Raffles Place MRT and if you take the Exit H from here, you will have to walk only for three minutes to reach Fullerton Road.