A new exhibition focuses on the tools of different trades in Singapore pre-1965

SINGAPORE — Have you seen a roller-cutter designed for slicing herbs in Chinese medicine halls? Or a metal insect spray used by housewives in the past? Well, if you have no idea what we just described, chances are, you were born after 1985. In which case, you might want to check out a new exhibition that will be making its way around the island.

Titled The Tools That Built Singapore, the showcase is a homage to the tradesmen of yore and features equipment they used at work. From hooks that coolies used to lift the heavy sacks to simple wood planers carpenters relied on, these tools were used from the 1940s to the 1960s.

The exhibition, which received the SG50 Celebration Fund, is organised by civil servant Winston Wong, who also helps run his family’s vintage store By My Old School at Normanton Park. Over 300 tools featured — derived from 20 occupations — are from Wong’s personal collection and will be exhibited at the National Design Centre from Monday in conjunction with the centre’s ongoing Fifty Years Of Singapore Design exhibition.

“I’m passionate about old trades,” said the 68-year-old. “I started observing the tools these tradesmen used as a kid and began collecting them when I was 19. There’s something about a well-designed tool from the past that fascinates me. I find that things crafted by hand, with the help of these tools, are more durable and of better quality that the ones we have today.”

Over the past 51 years, Wong has amassed such an extensive collection of vintage tools that he needed to rent a storage unit to store these. Selecting the 20 occupations was no easy task and in the end, these included barbers, samsui women, carpenters, goldsmiths, fishermen and even homemakers.

“Being a housewife is an occupation, too. They made an invaluable contribution to Singapore in our early years and many of them didn’t have modern machines such as washing machines or vacuum cleaners. Even mothers didn’t have prams then,” he explained. “I think it’ll be good to show what were the tools used in households to make their work a little easier, whether it’s cleaning, cooking or child-rearing.”

As part of its outreach component, Tools That Built Singapore will eventually travel to various locations such as libraries in the heartlands of Bukit Merah, Serangoon and Chinatown, as well as the National Library. Wong hopes the exhibition’s focus on tools will help boost the growing craft culture in Singapore, where many youngsters have embraced the makers’ movement in recent years.

“But the main purpose is telling the stories of our forefathers who were in these trades. They didn’t have the opportunities then to share their experiences then,” he added. “We’d love to see families visiting the exhibition so the older generation can help explain to the younger generation. It’s also a bonding session that way.” Serene Lim

The Tools That Built Singapore, June 1 to July 15, 9am to 9pm daily, at the National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road, Design Gallery 2, Level 2.