From Chettiars to Financiers

From Chettiars to Financiers is a bronze sculpture by Taiwanese artist Chern Lian Shan beside the Singapore River. Chern Lian Shan created the work in 2002. Near the Asian Civilisations Museum, its figures connect older moneylending practices with Singapore’s later financial services. A South Indian Chettiar anchors the moneylending history. A Chinese clerk with an abacus represents clearing houses that supported trade between Singapore and China. The clerk’s pigtail marks the sculpture’s historical setting. A businesswoman in a modern suit completes the composition and points towards sophisticated financial work. The bronze surface brings these distinct roles together. Low desks and woven mats recall how Chettiar moneylenders worked along Singapore’s commercial routes. The artwork belongs to a riverfront sculpture series. Its subject links cultural memory, trade, and the city’s transformation from traditional commerce to global finance. Its bronze figures stand beside the Singapore River. Together, the Chettiar, clerk, and businesswoman make Singapore’s financial history visible through clothing, tools, and posture.