Page 32 - CSC Newsletter
P. 32
TTHHAETTOBOULILST SPSEGC5I0AL
SINGAPORE
EXHIBITION
The Exhibition on Everyday Tools Exhibition Details
The Tools of the Trade exhibition, supported by the SG50 Celebration Date: 18 to 23 Aug ’15,
Fund, showcases and celebrates the forgotten tools of the trades that Time: 10am – 9pm (Q and A: 10am – 5pm)
built Singapore from the 1940s to the 1960s. Venue: Club CSC @ Tessensohn (Lobby)
From the feather ‘plucker’ of the homemaker, to the handheld saw Date: 25 to 30 Aug ’15,
of the carpenter, and the sack hook of the coolie; these everyday Time: 10am – 9pm (Q and A: 10am – 5pm)
tools -sometimes made by the person who used them- helped earn Venue: Club CSC @ Bukit Batok
each worker’s wages. (Level 3, Long corridor leading to swimming pool reception counter)
Enquiries: Ricky at 6391 5607 or
Catch this travelling exhibition at Club CSC @ Tessensohn and Club rickyng@csc.sg
CSC @ Bukit Batok in August 2015 (See Exhibition Details for dates).
Be sure to visit this carefully curated collection that preserves a part
of Singapore’s design heritage, and celebrates the pioneering spirit
and grit of these labourers.
Fast Facts: The Collector and
Number of Trades: 20 His Collection
Number of Tools: 313
Fusion caught up with
Mr Winston Wong, 68,
the collector of the tools
featured in this exhibition.
He is also a CSC Life Member.
Winston’s passion for collecting was ignited
as a secondary school student, watching
coolies at work in Tanjong Pagar. He noticed
how they carried out their menial tasks with
only a hook to lift the load and a shoulder
pad to protect the skin from the rough sacks
filled with goods and commodities.
As society progressed, much of such work all
over Singapore was mechanised or automated.
Unfortunately, the tools and the trades may
slowly fade from people’s collective memory
if they are not documented. “The designs are
spectacular and still relevant. And, some of
these trades are specific to Singapore,” said
Winston.
He hopes that the collection will spark
conversations between family members of
different generations. Children will be able to
learn from their parents about the Singapore
they grew up in. Grandparents can tell stories
of the nation they helped build.
Winston also hopes that the exhibition can
inspire people to repair and recycle things
they use. “In those days, you don’t throw
things away as easily,” he explained. “For
example, I fixed my bicycle when it was
broken. But, it’s not as common for people
to do that nowadays.”
This is an exhibition that offers much food
for thought in a fun way. Be sure to catch the
quizzes taking place from 10am to 5pm daily!
