Singapore Street Art

SINGAPORE STREET

The Curators

Tanish Ghatge, Grade 10 student at OFS has curated this book on Singapore Street Art as a part of his Personal Project submission. He was supported by his father Jayesh Ghatge with aspects of Photography and Book Design. Year: 2022

Art doesn’t have to be found on the walls of a gallery. While Singapore certainly has its share of world class museums, exhibitions and art spaces, it’s also home to a wealth of street art and iconic wall murals.

Let’s go on a hunt through Singapore’s diverse neighbourhoods from the South Asian enclave of Little India to the lively streets of Chinatown and discover art that will both inspire and expand your artistic sensibilities.

EXPLORING ARTS ON THE STREETS

How does an art form that relies on public property as a canvas continue to exist and flourish in a city with an international reputation for cleanliness and order?

Street art in Singapore has gained recognition in recent years, but it is not a recent phenomenon. While there is little official documentation and archival of this ephemeral art form, some of the artists involved in Singapore’s early street art scene estimate that the community started to grow in the 1990s, with the formation of street artist collectives known as crews.

Endorsement by the authorities has helped shift the perception of street art away from petty vandalism to recognising it as an art form in its own right. Street art gives our city an exciting edge and energy, and the National Arts Council (NAC) believes that it plays an important role in shaping Singapore’s cultural identity.

Some of NAC’s efforts since it started to support the art form in 2013 include awarding seed grant status to street art crew RSCLS, and including street art into the programming for some of its youth arts events and arts education efforts.

Most of the street art you see on Singapore’s walls today has been sanctioned in some form, usually through permission granted by relevant government bodies for public property. The 50 Walls project in 2015 which saw Australian and Singaporean street artists take to walls in Housing & Development Board estates and shopping malls was spearheaded by the Australian High Commission as a part of the SG50 celebrations.

One could argue that having to ask permission goes against the basic tenet of street art, which is unsanctioned by nature. The roots of street art have always been a way to give voice to the unrepresented; an accessible way for anyone to express what they have to say without curation and censorship of a formal platform. Is street art still considered street art if you have to ask before you paint?

Street art has always been the voice of the people, a reflection of their thoughts and surroundings, and in many societies, often used as a tool for rebellion. But in Singapore, the cooperation among artists, property owners and state seem to be the best compromise so far between artistic freedom of expression and Singapore’s strict laws. In a country that looks to promote art appreciation among its people, what better way to do so than by having art all around you, interacting with you from unexpected corners as you go about your daily life?

THE ORIGIN OF SINGAPORE ART

South East Asia has long been celebrated for its unique art and storytelling. So, before we take a look at Singapore street art and sculptures, lets brush over few key moments in the history of art in Singapore…

NANYANG MOVEMENT

“Nanyang,” or the South Seas, was originally used by Chinese maritime traders to refer to the Southeast Asian region located south of China. To Lim, however, “Nanyang” was not merely a geographical reference, but the basis of a new art that reflected the realities of its locale. Although the idea of a Nanyang art first emerged among local Chinese writers in the 1930s, this movement soon encompassed visual artists who sought to infuse their works with a local identity. What they encountered local landscapes, peoples, cultural motifs became their subject matter; indigenous materials and techniques, like batik, were incorporated into art making as well. Through to the 1970s, the Nanyang movement remained an organic one, with no prescribed method, style or manifesto only the impression of a tropical site encountered and idealised.

The multi cultural nature of Singapore has led to the development of eclectic art styles that were significantly influenced by both Chinese calligraphy, and European expressionism. One of the most prolific art movements of Singapore’s cultural history is Nanyang style art. The Nanyang movement gained global attention and blended Chinese ink wash techniques with European techniques, depicting a vibrant culture and lifestyle. Nanyang art was particularly relevant in the mid century with artists such as Chen Wen Hsi (responsible for the art on the Singapore’s $50 note), Georgette Chen, a prominent female figure in art history, and Tan Choh Tee, whom adapted an impressionist like style. Nanyang artist typically painted outdoors to capture every day existence.

CHEONG SOO PIENG

1917 - 1983

Singaporean artist who was a pioneer of the Nanyang art style, and a driving force to the development of Modernism in visual art in the early 20th century Singapore. He was also known for his signature depiction of Southeast Asian indigenous tribal people with elongated limbs and torso, almond shaped faces and eyes in his paintings

CHEN CHONG SWEE

1910 1985

Singaporean watercolorist belonging to the pioneering generation of artists espousing the Nanyang style of painting unique to Singapore. He was also one of the first artists in Singapore to use Chinese ink painting techniques to render scenery and figurative paintings of local and South East Asian themes.

CHEN WEN HSI

1906 - 1991

Chinese born Singaporean artist, known for his avant garde Chinese paintings. Chen was proficient in both traditional Chinese ink and western oil painting, and experimented with a variety of styles ranging from Fauvism to Cubism. Chen was also interested in human figures, particularly blue collared workers and dairymen working in cattle yard.

LIU KANG

1911 - 2004

Singapore artists known for his Balinese themed figurative paintings. He was founding member of the Singapore Art Society, and was credited with developing the Nanyang style. Liu moved to Singapore in 1942 and had been credited with numerous contributions to the local arts scene. Liu was awarded the Public Service Star by the Singapore Government.

NANYANG LANDSCAPE (1970)

By Chen Chong Swee, Chinese ink and colour on paper

BALINESE DANCE (1953)

By Cheong Soo Pieng, oil on canvas

OFFERINGS (1957)

By Liu Kang, oil on canvas

BOATS AND SHOPHOUSES (1930)

By Georgette Chen, oil on canvas

WHAT IS NANYANG STYLE?

The Nanyang Style refers to the use of a mix of styles and techniques from Chinese pictorial traditions and the School of Paris, which was practised by a group of artists who featured prominently within the local cultural scene in the years after the end of the Second World War.

• Nanyang artists painted outdoors to capture everyday existences.

• Colours were quite subjectively used, and symbols were adopted.

• In addition, the artists’ brushworks were executed with the skill of traditional Chinese painting.

• The artists were also striving to represent the region’s culture and lifestyle the word “南洋” (nanyang) means “Southern Seas” in Chinese, and referred to the entire South China Sea region.

Nanyang Style was a popular term associated with the paintings of a group of émigré Chinese artists working in British Malaya (present day Singapore and Malaysia) around the period of the 1930s to 1950s. It referred particularly to works that embodied an experimental and syncretic approach to pictorial representation; impressionist, post impressionist, fauvist, and cubist elements with Chinese ink and brush compositional and pictorial techniques; and the depiction of local subject matter such as indigenous peoples and their environments. The key proponents of this style included Chen Chong Swee, Georgette Chen, Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, and Cheong Soo Pieng. These artists, who were also collectively called the “Nanyang artists,” were associated with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) either as teachers or associates of teachers.

AT THE MARKET (1967)

By Tay Bak Koi, oil on canvas

The subject matter is outdoors. This trait possessed by the Nanyang Style artists helps them to observe the environment that they live in better. They like to paint outdoors so that they can fully feel the air around the subject matter and energy that it carries and translate all of this into a painting, hence, essentially capturing the essence of the scenery.

Other characteristics of Nanyang Style:

• White/Black/Dark outlines are often used (influenced by the Batik paintings)

• Subject matter normally based on Bali (sceneries and people etc)

• Normally tells audiences of the society’s culture

Contemporary art refers to innovative art of the ‘now’ or relatively recent past and has morphed into a form of expression utilising several different mediums. Singapore artist are relished for their experimentation between traditional and new age art, using symbolism to tell stores and evoke emotions that celebrate their country and culture.

True to its roots of multiculturalism and the collection of several different art styles, Singapore street art is unique blend of east meets west and truly reflects the diverse and eclectic nature of the city! An ode to past Nanyang style artists who painted outdoors and involved themselves in everyday life, modern street art depicts daily activities, traditional architecture, and a surreal approach to storytelling!

STREET ART IN SINGAPORE

THE EARLY DAYS

Singapore’s then graffiti scene developed in the early 90s, and consisted of artists that referred to themselves as ‘crews’. A country with an international reputation for strict civil order and cleanliness was quick to crack down on the destruction of public property; crews predominately created tag bombs and quick throw ups to avoid police. A notable crew from the 90s is Zinc Nite Crew established in 1998 and now globally recognised and active in several countries. By the early 2000s the graffiti/street art scene was stagnated after suffering from a government crackdown.

THE JOURNEY

Slowly but surely Singapore has evolved to celebrate street art for its culture, tourism attraction, and showcasing talented local artist. What started as approval for crews and artists to paint on derelict buildings scheduled for demolition, is growing into an exciting and flourishing scene.

Zinc Nite Crew have several street art murals around Singapore, and other crews such as RSCLS are creating more frequently. There has also been a movement for legalising urban areas like skate parks and encouraging everyday people to try it out and leave their mark on the city!

“Singapore was one of the first street art scenes to start in Southeast Asia, and had some influence on early scenes in neighbouring countries like Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia,” says Zul Othman, founder of Singapore street art crew RSCLS. Zul, who also goes by the moniker ZERO, is the first street artist in Singapore to be awarded the National Arts Council (NAC)’s Young Artist Award in 2013 for artistic excellence and his role in paving the way for the Singapore street art scene.

Endorsement by the authorities has helped shift the perception of street art away from petty vandalism to recognising it as an art form in its own right.

BEST STREET ART TRAILS IN SINGAPORE?

There are several locations around Singapore to view diverse and vibrant Singapore murals. Many of these are part of public art trails, think of it as an open air gallery! Few notable areas to visit are:

Glam

In between our shiny skyscrapers and towering metal cranes, there are plenty of Insta worthy urban artworks that simply take our breath away. From the graffiti that’s hidden in plain sight to pieces that lurk away in the backstreets, there are still some things about our little city that might still surprise you.

LITTLE INDIA

Little India is a district rich in culture and history. In the past, common activities here included cattle trading and there was a mixture of different cultures and religions operating their businesses here. Now it is a vibrant heartland for shopping, eateries and there is also an array of artworks by both local and international artists! Spot these murals and discover their stories as you travelling along the various streets and alleys.

Working Class Hero

This artwork is popular amongst residents and visitors who frequent Little India as it is a portrait of the famous Tamil film star, Rajinikanth.

The portrait pays homage to the Indian community, whose lives revolve around this cultural enclave. Revered above any other actor in the cinema world, Rajinikanth has always championed the commoner, having come from a humble background himself.

Daily Delivery

This mural depicts a fictional narrative of the future in Little India. The man carrying tiffins, an item used in the past, is going about his daily duties. However, the vehicles are now hovering above the ground. These elements come together as a juxtaposition of tradition and modernism in Little India.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: 212 Serangoon Road

Nearest MRT: Little India

Traditional Indian dancers from various dance forms, such as Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Dandiya Rass, narrate traditional stories atop a background of blue and white tiles.

Kathaka

Stunning costumes and dramatic make up are what this mural is composed of. Just around the corner of Kerbau Road, this work of art pays tribute to the traditional Indian dance style of Kathak known for its rhythmic movements and energy, alongside the story told through each dance.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: Upper Dickson Road

Nearest MRT: Little India

Alive@Clive

This mural portrays a traditional dancer in Little India and is easily spotted due to its location at Clive Street, one of Little India’s busiest roads. The artwork is filled with a variety of colours and definitely succeeds in capturing the vibrancy of Little India.

Artist: TraseOne Location: 106 Dunlop St Nearest MRT: Little India

Loops of the Precious

Walk along Upper Dickinson Road to discover this mural on the walls of a side alley. This mural is a homage to the artist’s grandfather, who was a jeweller and goldsmith; the trade of jewellery crafting is currently dying, and the artist’s intention was to commemorate it and display the spectacular beauty of intricately crafted pieces commonly worn and valued in India.

In this mural, white necklaces intertwine against a backdrop of pure gold.

Artist: Priyageetha d/o Diayalan

Location: Junction of Serangoon Road and Upper Dickson Street

Nearest MRT: Little India

Cricket and Classical

These lovely collaboration works by Singapore’s TraseOne and Australia’s Haha aka Regan Tamanui is celebration of SG50 for a project called 50 Bridges in May 2015 titled Cricket and Classical both Indians and Aussies are huge cricket fans. The Indian dancers really bring out the colour and flavour of the Indian culture.

Artist: TraseOne and Haha

Location: Buffalo Road

Nearest MRT: Little India

Layers

This mural depicts Little India’s complexities and mélange of architecture in entirety. The signature dhaba, or Indian restaurant, can be seen next to the classic produce store, and the contrast in architecture styles is clearly visible.

Little India is a nexus of cultures, and this mural perfectly wraps up the co existence of different people in one frame. Note there are some dotted line silhouettes, room for more new things in future alongside the mishmash of the current day.

Artist: Shah Rizzal

Location: 240 Serangoon Road, junction with Desker Road

Nearest MRT: Little India

Festival

This Fauvist styled mural spans the length of the wall opposite the Daily Deliveries mural it features doodles that come together to celebrate the diversity and heritage of Little India.

The energetic shades of color make it a perfect spot to stop by and snap a photo!

Artist: Izzad Radzali Shah

Location: 1 Hindoo Road Nearest MRT: Little India

Known for its wide variety of cheap yet mouth watering delicacies, this district is also a great destination for art and heritage lovers to explore. It was initially occupied by Chinese immigrants but is now home to various businesses and eateries. Murals can also be found at unexpected corners, each telling a different story about the precinct’s history.

Chinatown Market

This wet market scene is painted by artist Yip Yew Chong. Located at the gable wall of 30 Temple Street, Singapore’s Chinatown. It depicts a traditional kopitiam, a dried seafood cum soy sauce shop, hairdresser, facial services along the five footway, and a wet market scene selling vegetables, fish, and even snakes and monitor lizards. On the second level, the artist dressed up the real windows with laundries and their stuffs like overhanging birdcages, vegetables, baskets and potted plants. On the third storey, the artist painted a larger than life uncle pouring tea from his teapot into cups below. The overall vibe is a busy and whimsical scene.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: 30 Temple Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Initially, Yip wanted to keep his project quiet without publicity as he did not want to attract a crowd during the pandemic.

But he was unmissable.

As he needed to paint the side of the building that was three storeys high, Yip had to operate a scissor lift to elevate him off the ground.

Yip's art certainly did not go unnoticed in the four weeks he worked on it.

As he was painting in a public place, he attracted curious stares and appreciative nods whenever members of the public crossed paths with him.

Children even gathered around him to watch him paint.

Mid Autumn Festival

Scene from the Mid Autumn Festival decorates the alley behind Lucky Chinatown. Traditional and cellophane lanterns hang above the two figures of a man and women. They are enjoying mooncakes and pomelo while looking on at children trying to light a lantern nearby. As a cute nod to the intersection of tradition and contemporary pop culture, there is a cellophane Hello Kitty lantern much to the puzzlement of a street cat.

: Yip Yew Chong

: 83 Pagoda Street

MRT: Chinatown

Letter Writer

Painted on the wall of New Bridge Centre, it depicts a letter writer plying his trade. Letter writers played an essential role when the population was illiterate. They enabled those who had come to Singapore to work to maintain links with relatives back home. The seat opposite the letter writer is perfect for those who wish to pose with the tradesman.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: 336 Smith Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Cantonese Opera

Chinese opera was once a popular form of street entertainment. Performers with painted faces and elaborate costumes used to mesmerise the crowds. The spirit of these performers lives on at Temple Street in a mural by Yip Yew Chong. Eager kids and adults watch the performers on stage. There are also glimpses of the backstage action while street vendors flank the Chinese Opera stage, adding liveliness to the scene.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: 5 Temple Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

There are plenty of intricate details to appreciate in the mural, such as the actors/actresses’ costumes, the backstage activities, the postures and expressions of the spectators, and the mobile food stalls that had arrived to catch the businesses of the spectators.

Detective Conan in Chinatown

Detective Conan, the Japanese manga character, explores Singapore Chinatown’s streets and comes across a traditional store selling fruits and dried goods. Durian, the King of the Fruits, gets the thumbs up from him.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: Smith Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Old Trades

Along Mohammed Ali Lane, you’ll spot another snapshot of history a quirky scene of Singapore’s street vendors from our early years of independence in the 1960s. To gain insights into our city’s yesteryears, observe the detailed renderings of old school goodies in the Mamak Store (provisions stall). A few steps away, a craftsman presents an amusing assortment of masks and toys, while Samsui women (female migrant workers from Sansui District, China, known for their iconic red headscarves) watch from the sidewalk. The mural also depicts a craftsman making a lion dance head, the mural is based off the actual shop at No. 3 Ann Siang Hill in the 1980s.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: 3 Mohammed Ali Lane

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Mamak Store

This mural is based on Yip’s fond memories of the actual Abdul Kadir store in Sago Lane. As a child, the artist would visit the shop to buy sweets and knick knacks, and learnt his first Tamil phrase, “kalai vanakam” (which means good morning), from him. When Sago Lane was demolished in 1984, Abdul Kadir moved his stall into Chinatown Complex, where he continued to run his business for almost three decades before returning to India.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: 3 Mohammed Ali Lane

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee makes an appearance along the walls of Chinatown Complex, holding the iconic durian, no less. This cheeky mural enlivens the area with quirky elements that have come to be commonly associated with Singapore’s culture, including the aforementioned fruit. Other local touches include an Oriental dragon, curry puffs, and even an ‘I love Singapore’ singlet.

Artist: Students of school of design at Temasek Polytechnic

Location: 335 Smith Street Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Samsui Art

On the side of a staircase is Welcome to our World. It depicts Samsui women, the hardworking women who carried out construction jobs and helped build Singapore. It also features the Aranda Lee Kuan Yew and Vanda Kwa Geok Choo, a tribute to Singapore’s first prime minister and his wife.

Artist: Belinda Low

Location: 335 Smith Street Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Low tries to feature "strong women characters" in her works, such as this one, One Tough Lady, featuring a Samsui woman.

The Back Lane

This mural in Kreta Ayer titled The Back Lane, featuring a back alley, with a lady sticking on Chinese New Year decorations. This mural was inspired by a photograph of Singapore in the 1960s.

One interesting feature is the bicycle signage, which is a permanent fixture, that has been incorporated into the mural.

Painted on a wall behind a bicycle parking lot, "The Back Lane" has the help of some real bicycles to give it some 3D effects.

Artist: Belinda Low Location: 335 Smith Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Our Past, Present and Future

This is a two part patchwork mural dedicated to Samsui women contributing to the construction industry in the past. The second part shows the modern structures of Marina Bay Sands in present days.

Artist: Belinda Low

Location: 335 Smith Street

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

This mural will depict the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the main featured animal will change from time to time.

Zodiac Mural

This mural is for the Coconut Club Singapore, a hipster joint dedicated to local coconut based foods Nasi Lemak and Cendol. This is a series of mural that pays tribute to the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: 28 Ann Siang Road

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

KAMPONG GLAM

Kampong Glam’s mural covered streets are arguably the precinct’s biggest draw and a cornerstone in our nation’s urban arts scene. The place is rife with music, culture and history with an almost festive atmosphere in the air. And amongst all the chaos, there is a collection of art, with local artists from far and wide across Singapore finding their inspiration in this cultural gem. The wall art of Kampong Glam spans far, with paint and musings splattered across almost every street.

Aztec Mural

The wall is the work of Didier Jaba Mathieu, a Colombian born graffiti writer and street artist. Mathieu is distinctively known as the artist behind many of the brilliantly coloured murals lining the streets of Haji Lane. He follows a refined and intricate style, paying heavy attention to details and colours.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: 122 Arab Street

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Aztec Mural

Easily the most famous wall mural at Haji Lane and undisputedly the wall that started the vibrant street art scene here. Attracting throngs of visitors every weekend, this bistro lined street has a number of good restaurants and cafés. Mostly serving Mexican delicacies, Piedra Negra instantly transports you to the streets of Brazil right here in Singapore. This intricate work of art depicts the Aztecs, the indigenous people dominant in Mexico before Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: Haji Lane

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Another gigantic mural by Jaba on the sidewall of Piedra Negra facing Ophir Road that is hard to miss. This complex futuristic looking piece was done in phases and fully completed in May 2018. Mathieu is distinctively known as the artist behind many of the brilliantly coloured murals lining the streets of Haji Lane. He follows a refined and intricate style, paying heavy attention to details and colours.

Punjaby Dawat & Blu Jaz Café Mural

Another Jaba’s piece, commissioned by the owner of Blu Jaz Café. This wall is by the side of Punjaby Dawat that shares the same alley as Blu Jaz Café, a popular eatery known for live band performances. Its bold and vibrant colours instantly grab one’s attention

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

: Bali Lane

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Italian Bakery Mural

Funky pop art by multi disciplinary artist Idris Johor, who goes by the handle PrettyFreakyFantasy, line the pillars and the interiors of the cafe.

Artist: Idris Johor

Location: Haji Lane Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Madd Pizza Mural

Another Idris Johor’s piece, for Madd Pizza is right next to Italian Bakery. Vibrant and colorful, bringing the 70’s in vogue again.

Artist: Idris Johor

Location: Haji Lane

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Black Sheep & Co. Mural

Ultraman and the superhero version of the Merlion, a mural created by the artist collective DPLMT, is the latest to go on display in Haji Lane. In a new tourism video commissioned by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Merlion, Singapore’s beloved icon which marked its 50th birthday in September, has been transformed into a superhero.

Untitled

Liao Jun Hui is an artist who primarily uses oil paints in his practice. He is inspired by cinema and thus draws heavily on the characters depicted in movies in his current practice.

Artist: Liao Jun Hui

Location: Muscat Street

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

This extraordinary concept showcases murals and framed works of more than 30 artists from different backgrounds, newly graduated students from NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts as well as experienced local and foreign artists.

Framed pieces hang alongside wall murals and commissioned graffiti. The art ranges from colourful modern pieces to works reflecting the culture and heritage of the neighbourhood.

Created by the same Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathieu, this artwork on the facade of Piedra Negra successfully gives character to the streets of Haji Lane via its striking colours and quirky design.

El Lío (The Clash)

It was painted in phases and fully completed in May 2018. It was partially blocked by trees and currently blocked by all the road works in the area, but you really need to take a few steps back to appreciate the grandeur of this work. It’s reminiscent of the work further up Arab Street.

Artist: Didier Jaba Mathieu

Location: Ophir Road Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Phoenix

Japanese tattoo artist Sei Nishiyama does large scale tattoos and goes by Sei10 on the walls. This will make a pretty stunning tattoo on someone’s skin.

Artist: Sei Nishiyama

Location: Gelam Gallery Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Hands and Marbles

Hands and marbles by Malaysian artist Andharas. Hailing from Malaysia, Amir Andhar, who specialises in mural art painting, got his start in the art world by picking up basic techniques from his airbrush car painter father. The art piece is a throwback to our simple childhood game of playing marbles on the ground.

Artist: Andharas Location: Gelam Gallery

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Untitled

A whimsical piece by multi disciplinary artist

PrettyFreakyFantasy, known for his pop culture elements in bright and bold colors. He got his moniker based on the elements from his art. Pretty would be the butterflies and flowers, freaky represents the eyes with tentacles and fantasy captures the surreal feel of the whole effect.

Artist: PrettyFreakyFantasy

Location: Gelam Gallery

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Children in Wheeling Trolleys

It is an interactive piece meant to encourage community togetherness. Essential food items are placed in the trolleys regularly so that members of the community and the public at large can help themselves. The goal is to support the less fortunate, while encouraging those who can afford it, to add on grocery items.

Artist: Ernest Zacharevic Location: Victoria Street Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Kampong Gelam

Depicts a shop packing for pilgrims embarking on the Haj. The batiks represent the immigrants from the Malay Archipelago while the carpet represents immigrants from the Middle East. The ladder reminds us of the once ubiquitous ladders along the five footways of Kampong Glam.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: right side of Hotel NuVe doorway

Nearest MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

Vintage Camera Museum Mural

Girl with a Lion Cub

This "Girl and the Cub" is the largest mural of all, spanning the entire side of a shophouse. If the commuters are waiting at the opposite bus stop, they'd notice the girl looking straight back at them as she stroked a lion cub.

Artist: Ernest Zacharevic

: Wall between Jalan Kledek and Jalan Pisang

MRT: Bugis OR Nicoll Highway

BRAS BASAH BUGIS

Travellers looking to indulge in some arts and culture in Singapore should check out the Bras Basah Bugis precinct in the Civic district. Besides being home to some of Singapore’s more prominent museums and cultural institutions, you’ll also find some pretty cool murals and art on its walls and streets. Here’s my guide on where to find street art in Bras Basah Bugis (BBB)

Worship

This

Green Is Born of Blue, but Outshines Blue

“Green Is Born of Blue, but Outshines Blue” is a Chinese idiom describing someone who has become better than their predecessors. Inspired by The Theatre Practice (Practice)’s history as Singapore’s longest running bilingual theatre institution, “Green Is Born of Blue, But Outshines Blue” encapsulates its evergreen spirit and commitment towards fearless exploration, across generations. The mural features the Practice’s logo, an abstract maize plant inspired by a poem written by co founder Kuo Pao Kun. Wrapped around a map Waterloo Street, it symbolises Practice’s multifaceted relationship with the street as a long term resident and a conduit for its stories. With dynamic lines surging upwards in striking blue and green, it showcases Practice’s tenacity in overcoming challenges, as it continues to nurture and influence Singapore’s arts and culture scene.

Artist: Zhiyan

: 58 Waterloo Street

Nearest MRT: Bencoolen

The Colour of Miracles

“The Colour of Miracles” depicts the face of Jesus using the Liturgical colour pallet, which expresses the emotions and ideas associated with each season of the liturgical year Violet, white, green, red, gold, black and rose are the colours chosen to represent the core seasons and celebrations of the catholic faith, as well as the artists’ joy in the natural world that God created.

Artist: Andrew Paton

Location: 51 Waterloo Street

Nearest MRT: Bencoolen or Bras Basah

The Colour of Miracles

This wall is a Solidarity Project by RSCLS, with a mash up of Singaporean and Thai artists from Bangkok that dates back to March 2015. Thai artists involved were Bang, Bonus, Gong and Leo. On the Singapore side we had Antz, Demo 365, Hegira, Hastwo, Klax and SKL0.

Artist: Singaporean and Thai artists

Location: Alleyway between 222 Queen Street and Hotel Oxford

Nearest MRT: Bencoolen OR Bras Basah

Bras Basah Complex

Rainbow Lands

This particular artwork “Rainbow Lands” is part of a larger street art campaign called 50 Bridges, an initiative by the Australian Commission of Singapore in celebration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence which had 50 pieces of street artworks all across the island.

Artist: Shreyo and Yok Location: 231 Bain Street Nearest MRT: Bras Basah

There are a lot of other murals around Bras Basah Complex, largely from the Central Singapore CDC’s project ‘Painting Smiles’ initiative with NAFA students to create murals from 2018 onwards. Among its more popular tenants are Art Friend for all your DIY art supplies, the largest Popular Bookstore outlet for all your stationery needs, as well as Basheer Graphic Books which carries design and visual arts publications. It has a bunch of different murals all around the building.

Untitled

As mentioned earlier, Bras Basah Complex was known as City of Books as the complex is famed for its numerous bookstores. So naturally, most of the wall murals in Bras Basah Complex are associated with books.

Artist: Students of NAFA

Location: 231 Bain Street

Nearest MRT: Bras Basah

Diverse Neighbourhood (previous page) and River Trade

Known to be the arts and heritage district today, the Bras Basah area was formerly Singapore's most ethnically diverse residential neighbourhood. It was made up of mixed communities; various Chinese including Peranakans, Eurasians, Jews, Malays, Indians, Sikhs, Japanese, Armenians, Europeans and others lived within close proximity.

The Bugis brought a variety of goods to be traded in Singapore. A common sight seen at Kampong Bugis was the trading of goods by the Bugis, which included birds of paradise, mother of pearl, tortoiseshell, birds' nests, sandalwood, gold dishes, beeswax, cotton and coffee. The Bugis were also known to have brought back products like British and American firearms and gunpowder, Malayan tin, iron parangs, Chinese raw silk, earthenware, opium, European woollen cloth and cotton linen

Artist: 8EyedSpud

Location: Queen Street (Diverse Neighbourhood Mural) and 229 Victoria Street (River Trade Mural)

Nearest MRT: Bugis

Near to Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore, three beautiful murals stand in quiet corners within walking distance from each another. These murals are the handiwork of Yip Yew Chong, an accountant who loves art, sponsored by People's Association under the PAssionArts Movement and Seng Poh RC. The three murals depict scenes that are part of Tiong Bahru's history. You will be able to have glimpses into how life was like in Tiong Bahru in the not very distant past.

Pasar and The Fortune Teller

The right part depicts a food stall selling local food laksa and curry mee (noodle). Two guys at a table are eating noodles with five pieces of chwee kueh (rice cakes) on the table. Another stall, selling buns, is in the background. Moving to the left, an Indian vendor wrapping putu mayam (vermicelli like noodle made from rice flour and coconut milk and served with grated coconut or palm sugar) by a bicycle. An Indian lady and a Chinese lady are waiting while a boy is playing with a cat.

And the fortune teller is attending to his customer. The figurines of three Chinese deities in an opened briefcase and a parrot were added to the table. The details are so fine that I can even identified the deities: Laughing Buddha, Goddess of Mercy and God of the Soil.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: Tiong Bahru Market

Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

Bird Singing Corner

There used to be a "bird corner" in a coffee shop in Tiong Bahru until 2003. The "Bird Singing Corner" re enacts the scene in those days where patrons would bring their birds to the coffee shop for breakfasts and hear them sing. The mural has three parts.

It is interesting to learn that the cages were hanged on to tags for easy identification of who the birds belonged to in order to avoid disputes.

A real chair is also part of the mural where you or your companion can sit with the folks and listen to the birds singing.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: Tiong Bahru Market

Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

Home

The "Home" mural depicts the typical scene in a home in the old days. How I know? The dates on both calendars on the wall indicates "Jan 1979". The date in the higher calendar shows the day as "12 Jan 1979". Apart from being very detailed, the dates are accurately illustrated too.

You can also read some of the Chinese words on the newspaper. The main headline says something like "Promote Speak Mandarin Campaign" (推广讲华语运动).

The television is screening a popular variety show in Singapore in the 70s and 80s. The brand of the old model television is "Telefunken". On the radio, the word "Rediffusion" (丽的呼声) is the name of the company that started cable radio broadcasting in Singapore in 1949.

Artist: Yip Yew Chong

Location: Tiong Bahru Market

Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

SINGAPORE

Singapore River One (SRO) started its first Underpass Art installation project in January 2013 with the goal of using design and culture as the medium for transformation and rebranding the River. Through this project, SRO hopes to enhance the connectivity between all three Quays (Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay and Boat Quay), and encourage exploration along the entire stretch of the Singapore River.

Multiple Murals

Gaia Mother Earth, Wild Beginnings, Going Green, Star Crossed Lovers & Smoke up, each depicting stories of history, urban folktales and environmental messages that enhance the journey of on foot exploration between quays through these underpasses.

Artist: Artists led by Social Creatives

Location: Coleman Bridge Underpass (Towards Elgin Bridge)

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

The Vintage Timeline

This mural uses a timeline to show the past and present of Singapore, from her humble beginnings till today. The design juxtaposes the early founding stages of Singapore and the current stages of Singapore in the form of a light refreshing illustration to demonstrate the impressive transformation of Singapore from a small fishing village to a modern city.

Artist: Raffles Design Institute

Location: Elgin Bridge Underpass (Towards Clarke Quay, Near Parliament House)

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

The Dove, The Dragon, The Clock

This mural reminisces the different playground designs that were seen in various neighbourhoods in Singapore during the 70s and 80s.

Artist: Starry Eyed Dreamers

Location: Coleman Bridge Underpass (Towards G max, Clarke Quay)

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

From the Belly of the Carp

This mural is found at Clemenceau Underpass, which links Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay.

At 47m, the mural is currently the longest along the Singapore River! It pays homage to Singapore’s history as a bustling trading port. Enjoy this vibrant space with colourful interpretations of boats, fish and spices elements from early Singapore.

Artist: Ripple Root Location: Clemenceau Underpass Nearest MRT: Fort Canning

The Future of Our Last Wildcat

The Leopard Cat is the last wildcat species found in Singapore, with less than 50 estimated individuals in the wild.

This mural, made possible with 160 volunteers, reimagines the leopard cat’s habitat with scenes of Singapore’s built up environment, nature and the Singapore River, bringing an element of the wilderness into the precinct.

Artist: Multiple Location: Elgin Bridge Underpass (Towards Boat Quay)

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

ART

The Art in Transit (AIT) programme is Singapore's largest public art showcase which integrates artworks by local artists into the MRT network. This aligns with LTA’s vision of a people centred land transport system.

Started in 1997 with North East Line, the AIT programme enhances daily journeys of millions of commuters. It brings captivating artworks closer to commuters and turns train stations into places that connect the community and the arts.

View of Life

The sweeping painting of bold colours and brushstrokes celebrates the development of Singapore from swamp to bustling city. The artist created a painting to express movement in change and nature, capturing the optimism, joy and vitality he felt for Singapore’s achievements.

Artist: Sarkasi Said Location: Serangoon MRT

Through the Looking Glass

This work combines the nation’s history, culture, geography and major events into a colourful and tongue in cheek map. It is filled with familiar landmarks like the Singapore flyer, Changi Airport and HDB public Housing Estates and peppered with caricatures such as Merlions and Sang Nila Utama on a boat.

Artist: A Dose of Light & Yoma Studio

Location: Lorong Chuan MRT

Move!

The densely packed murals depict the artist’s feelings about the mindless rush of commuters in a train station. The three murals depicting daily life, family and the heartlands with a whimsical twist students fly to school on rockets and animal headed executives are rushing to work in a surreal world.

Artist: Soh Ee Shaun

Location: Bishan MRT

Art Lineage

The artist roped in 300 members of the community to create this lively collection of lines and brushstrokes in a celebratory riot of colour. The art is meant to represent the “in between spaces” where identity is formed not by what is there, but what is in between.

Artist: Erzan Bin Adam

Location: Farrer Road MRT

Eroclamation

The artist used iconic landmarks in western Singapore and created an imaginary black and white vista against the grey backdrop of the station. Inspired by the area’s history as a swamp before it was reclaimed, the artist drew parallels with Haw Par Villa’s themes of mortality and reincarnation.

Artist: Tan Wee Lit

Location: Haw Par Villa MRT

When the ship comes in

The art piece celebrates Singapore’s rich history as a port of call, located on major trade routes in South East Asia. The mural is a collage of different drawings of ships by Singaporeans aged 7 to 12 based on historical images but with a dose of fantasy and imagination. The work celebrates history and the hopes for a better future.

Artist: Lee Wen

Location: Bayfront MRT

Welcome to Jingapore!

The artist photographed 200 members of the community around the stations during a five day public event. These photos were combined with images of landmarks and things from around the area to form a collage that reflects the energy and optimism of the neighbourhood.

Artist: Jing Quek

Location: Tampines East MRT

Memories

The bold colours and graphic elements in this series of paintings are inspired by the surrounding area’s cultural heritage. One of the artworks in this series features a collage of symbols related to Chinese opera, law or medicine which represent visual memories of Outram Park.

Artist: Wang Lu Sheng

Location: Outram Park MRT

Interchange

As the title suggest, this large scale artwork represents the interchange between the stations lines that run through Dhoby Ghaut. A marriage of ceramic and mosaic works that span walls, climb columns and sprawl over the station floor, they draw upon the cultural richness and artistic heritage of Singapore and the region, as well as ideas of permanent movement.

Artist: Milenko & Delia Prvacki

Location: Dhoby Ghaut MRT

Rhythmic Exuberance

Wall murals on football, swimming and athletics exuberantly capture the surrounding area’s sporting past a stadium and turf club were located here in pre war days. The black ink brush drawings alternate with paintings of abstract shapes and lines in pastel colours to depict movement, dynamism and vibrancy.

Artist: Poh Siew Wah

Location: Farrer Park MRT

Memories of Childhood

Woodcut prints rendered in striking primary colours give this work a heart warming and joyful look back at childhood. The colourful, distinctly textured images of children at play, accompanied by dragonflies, baby birds and puppies, capture the innocence and wonder of childhood.

Artist: Eng Joo Heng

Location: Serangoon MRT

3652 x 50

3652 x 50 is a time capsule containing 50 promises made by participants who live, work or study around the Woodlands South station. The daily commute may be seen as merely getting from point A to B, but it can also be a journey of life in which we can choose how we want it to unfold.

Artist: Kng Mian Tze

Location: Woodlands South MRT

Some of the most beautiful art in Singapore can be found in the most unexpected of places think an alley at Chinatown and an underpass at Robertson Quay. Singapore based artists have revitalised the streets with murals that capture the history of the surrounding neighbourhoods, or showcase their own signature art styles and motifs.

ROZAIMIE SAHBI

The Zinc Nite Crew’s founder otherwise known as Rozaimie Sahbi happens to be a pioneering graffiti writer who helped elevate the street art scene in Singapore in the late 1990s. You've probably seen one of his pieces at the Aliwal Arts Centre or the Somerset Skate Park. He taps onto pop culture for ideas for his bold creations. Head over to Haji Lane for his latest works, which combine alphabets and batik.

SLACSATU

ZUL OTHMAN

The founder of urban art collective RSCLS, Zul Othman better known as Zero is responsible for most of the murals around the Bugis Bras Basah district. He portrays aspects of the Malay community with a touch of vintage flair.

ZERO

ANTHONY CHONG

Making the city his canvas since 1999, Anthony Chong is no stranger to the urban art scene. With a spray can in hand, the artist often mixes elements of Chinese culture, identity, dialect and mythology into his masterpieces.

AZLAN RAMLAN

Responsible for the massive monochromatic mural that decorates the façade of The Singapura Club at Haji Lane, Azlan Ramlan combines the tools of spray painting with the technicalities of realism, surrealism and cubism.

CENO2

NADIRAH ABDUL RAZAK & EMAN RAHARNO

JEMAN

What do you get when you merge two originators with diverse styles and backgrounds? Answer: Ink & Clog. They use calculated geometric patterns to create visuals that showcase a cultural environment.

INK & CLOG

FARIZWAN FAJARI

Take a stroll down Little India and don't forget to look up for Speak Cryptic's black and white flowers and flying petals along Kerbau Road. Mainly dabbling in monochromatic hues, the visual artist's also known as Farizwan Fajari works are usually inspired by his own observations on current affairs in and around Singapore. He has also been developing a set of characters for his art over the past 13 years in which he applies them to various narratives and forms including paintings, drawings and even live performances.

SPEAK CRYPTIC

YIP YEW CHONG

You've probably seen (and snapped) his life size heritage murals at Tiong Bahru, Everton Park, Amoy Street and more. Inspired by his memories of Old Singapore, Yip Yew Chong has painted over 30 murals, mostly relating to scenes of Singapore’s bygone era. A wanderlust at heart, the artist captures his experiences through photos and videos which he then weaves them into sketches and paintings, translating both sights and sounds into murals.

YIP YEW CHONG

TIFFANY YAO

Art is always fun with unconventional twists and Tiffany Yao knows just how to do it. The young artist combines a juxtaposition of ideas in her practice where elements of realism are created alongside those of surrealism, and traditional methods are used with the contemporary. By using her art to uncover the hidden beauty in daily life, she has a number of works under her belt in the commercial art and design world

TIFFANY YAO

SEI NISHIYAMA

Sei Nishiyama is a Tattoo artist born and raised in Singapore. He has been tattooing since 2009, working at studio 67, before finally settling down in Dirty fingers tattoo studio, sharing the shop with two other partners.

After learning more about the local graffiti community as well as its people, Sei Nishiyama created the alias “Sei10” and started using walls as his choice for expressing himself in 2018.

SEI10

AMIR ANDHAR

Amir Andhar from Bukit Gedung, Melaka developed an early interest in art and painting during primary school. His father was an Airbrush Car Painter thus he learned all the basic techniques, like how to control air and colour mixtures, from his father.

While he was doing his Diploma in Fine Art in 2014, Amir began making side income with mural art painting. He hopes that society can accept mural art and change their perspective that it is merely street art.

AMIR ANDHAR

NATALIE KWEE (NAT) & JACQUELINE GOH (JACKIE)

With over 14 years of combined illustration experience, Nat & Jackie have been working as a duo since 2018. Together, these BFFs bounce ideas off one another in a process they've coined Illustration Ping Pong (patent pending!), resulting in richer ideas that push the boundaries of their individual talents.

LAURIE MARAVILLA

Laurie Maravilla, also known as SPAZ, is out to change the way we think about women who do graffiti. An award winning urban artist, as well as an activist, researcher, and mother, she's worked to build a movement across Southeast Asia but always returns to the heart of the craft

SPAZ

DIDIER JABA MATHIEU

A graffiti writer and street artist, JABA’s complex and highly refined style is a synthesis of cubism, futurism and constructivism where planes, angles and colours are pushed to the fore from his travels and experience as a concept artist for Lucasfilm Ltd and as a lecturer for Matte Painting, Environment & Character Design at Nanyang Polytechnic. JABA continues to practice on multidisciplinary levels and recently graduated as an MA Fine Arts student at LASALLE College of the Arts.

JABA

SUFIAN HAMRI

For Sufian Hamri, it all started when his late mum taught him to draw by tracing over pictures hence the moniker "TraseOne" (or TR853 1) he chose for himself as a tribute to her when he began doing street art in 1999.

Regarded as one of the leading pioneers of the local street art movement, TraseOne started off by just scrawling his name on the streets. His approach has since evolved into a process where he creates a more intellectual dialogue with his art that contains subliminal messages.

TRASEONE

MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS & ANASTASIA CATHARINA

After numerous collective years working as artists in toy and game production companies, they have found a way to express themselves as one entity, through graffiti and street art.

Versatile in various traditional and digital mediums, their work ranges from the bleeding edge, adrenaline fueled, eye popping action to the silent, thought provoking reflective pieces while always incorporating their love for pop culture, anime and manga into their art.

STUDIOMOONCHILD

REFERENCES

1. Visiting Singapore Art hunting on Singapore’s streets

2. Honeycombers Singapore wall crawl: Where to find the best street art in each neighbourhood

3. Travel for life now Best Street Art in Singapore Little India, Chinatown, & Haji Lane Street Art

4. TimeOut The best street art in Singapore

5. Visiting Kampong Glam Wall Murals

6. Now Boarding The Best Spots in Singapore to See Graffiti & Mural Street Art

https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/art hunting on singapore streets/

https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/street art singapore/

https://travelforlifenow.com/street art singapore haji lane street art/

https://www.timeout.com/singapore/art/where to find street art in singapore

https://visitkamponggelam.com.sg/attraction/wall murals/

https://nowboarding.changiairport.com/live local/the best spots in singapore to see graffiti mural street art.html

The Occasional Traveller Street Art Guides

Book an Artist History of Street Art in Singapore

Straits Times 17 street artists add more colour to Kampong Glam with Graffiti Hall of Fame

https://theoccasionaltraveller.com/street art guides/

https://bookanartist.co/blog/history of street art in singapore/

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/17 street artists add more colour to kampong glam with graffiti hall of fame

The Curious Journal Street Art Singapore: Self guided tour of the street art in Chinatown

https://thecuriousjournal.com/chinatown street art/

Artwalk Singapore Guided Tours http://artwalk.sg/guided tours/

Singapore River Underpass Murals

https://singapore river.sg/project/underpass murals/

https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting _around/public_transport/a_better_public_transp ort_experience/art_in_transit.html

https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/street artists to see singapore 2022

https://www.timeout.com/singapore/art/mural artists in singapore you should know

https://yipyc.com/blog/category/murals/

Singapore: 9

neighbourhoods to find street art

Singapore https://www.mstravelsolo.com/wall murals in singapore/

https://www.instagram.com/singaporestreetart/?h l=en

https://www.jenniferteophotography.com/thats life blog/street art in singapore little india armenian street kampong glam orchard scape youthpark revisited

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/singapore/articles /where to find the best street art in singapore/

https://expatliving.sg/where to find singapore street art/