Hidden in Plain Sight
Discovering singapore's vibrant street art scene by Jennifer Williams and Isabelle Tadmoury Canning Rise. The name Pedas Pedas means ‘spicy’ in Malay which seems like a nice reference to local cuisine. Across from the pepper are the Gothic gates. The ivory white gates were designed by Captain Charles Edward Faber, whom Mount Faber was named after, which take you into the Fort Canning Green. This was the city’s first Christian burial ground, with many of the oldest tomb stones placed along the walls of this sanctuary. Past the cannon and the Black Box/Fort Canning Center is •
Spring of Life by Chua Boon Kee is a forged stainlesssteel sculpture that was inspired by underground springs. It is a symbolic representation of life, which is like spring water, ever flowing with energy.
Once you pass through the Fort Gate, the remnants of a fortress that has a roof top with a great view, you’ll come to our next sculpture: •
Mediation Site by Han Sai Por looks like a long bench. This row of natural wooden benches is set in a tranquil space that allows for a temporary meditation spot from the restless and noisy city.
Tombstones Along the Walls
The Secret Art of Fort Canning Fort Canning has been the central to life in Singapore for centuries. First, as a palatial resort of the former Majapahit kings, second as the residence for the colonial governors (starting with Sir Stamford Raffles) and then as a British miliary base before becoming a national park. In Malay it was known as Bukit Larangan or "Forbidden Hill", a place that was haunted, and considering that the British surrendered here to the Japanese in WWII, maybe Malay folklore was right. Besides its lush wild forestry, the park continues to play a central role in public art thanks to the ASEAN Sculpture Garden. As a symbol of ASEAN unity and cooperation, each member country – the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – donated a sculpture to this garden in 1982. By starting at the National Museum of Singapore, there is a 2km or approx. 45-minute walking tour that takes you through all the key public art including the ASEAN garden (see map for details). Our favorites include: •
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Pedas Pedas, is a giant, dirty-red chili pepper sculpture on the grounds behind the National Museum near the Fort Canning Park entrance along AWA Magazine July/August 2022
'Balance' by Singaporean artist Ng Eng Teng
