CENTENNIAL ARTS TRAIL 2026
CEO’s Message It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Tanglin Trust School for this special celebration of our Centennial Arts Trail. Created to mark Tanglin’s Centenary, the Trail is a growing collection of artworks that bring creativity, reflection and cultural richness to our campus. The pieces are intended not only to be seen and enjoyed, but also to prompt curiosity, conversation and new ways of thinking among our students and the wider Tanglin community. The Trail has been made possible through the generous support of the Tanglin Trust School Foundation, whose funding enables projects that enrich school life and create a lasting legacy for future generations. Today, we are delighted to celebrate the latest additions to the collection and to thank the artists, donors, students, staff and supporters who have helped bring them to life. We look forward to seeing the Trail continue to evolve, with further works adding new perspectives and experiences to our campus in the years ahead. I hope you enjoy the event and the opportunity to explore the artworks.
Established in 2012, the Tanglin Trust School Foundation is dedicated to building a culture of giving that strengthens our School and enriches the educational experience of every student. Guided by our vision of “Building a Culture of Giving” and our mission of “Empowering impact through Connection, Contribution and Community”, we believe philanthropy is about creating lifelong relationships that enable meaningful impact. Through the generosity of parents, alumni, staff, friends and partners, the Foundation supports opportunities beyond the curriculum, including scholarships, the arts, sport, imagination, innovation and inquiry, engagement with global issues, the Institute@Tanglin and future campus developments. Philanthropy at Tanglin is about more than financial giving. It is also about contributing your time, expertise, advocacy and experience in ways that are meaningful to you. Together, through the Three Cs of Connection, Contribution and Community, we create extraordinary opportunities for today’s students while securing Tanglin’s future for generations to come. To find out more about how you can support the Foundation or become involved, please contact Tracey Grobbelaar, Head of Foundation, at Tracey.Grobbelaar@tts.edu.sg.
Tanglin Trust School Foundation is a Registered Charity with UEN No. 201212078W
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02 Tanglin Centenary Building, Atrium 01. 02.
The Brain by Victor Tan We Dreamed a Forest by Donna Ong
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The Centennial Arts Trail is supported by the Tanglin Trust School Foundation and features distinctive and commissioned works of art, to commemorate Tanglin’s centenary, history, and connection to Singapore.
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Nixon Building, Dining Hall 03.
Connections by Richard Young
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05 Sixth Form Centre, Piazza 04. 05.
Sundial Installation by Tanglin Alumnus Edwin Fung Symphony of Growth by Zul Mahmod
The Brain By Victor Tan
Tanglin’s first Centenary project The Brain, a sculpture by Singaporean artist Victor Tan was unveiled on 12 January 2022. The art piece hangs prominently in the atrium of the Tanglin Centenary Building. This unique and intricate sculpture symbolises complex interactions that run through the billions of neurons in our brain that define who we are as people. The sculpture aims to cultivate in Tanglin students an appreciation and understanding to interpret artistic expressions, promote engagement with the arts and provide curriculum inspiration for
Tanglin students for generations to come. Students have had the valuable opportunity to participate in the creation of this artwork by visiting Victor’s studio to understand the materials used and the process of making a public sculpture with hands-on experiences.
Scan here to see the interview with Victor Tan and the student workshop
CENTENNIAL ARTS TRAIL 2026
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Tanglin Centenary Building, Atrium 6
We Dreamed a Forest By Donna Ong
We Dreamed a Forest was the second installation on the Centennial Arts Trail. This art piece, launched in February 2024, is inspired by the tropical rainforest around us, which has captured our collective imaginations since the beginning of time.
This artwork celebrates how the rainforest has inspired us but also highlights how the untenable nature of the rainforest has allowed it to be used by generations of artists, authors, explorers, and legislators to project their fears and desires.
CENTENNIAL ARTS TRAIL 2026
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Tanglin Centenary Building, Atrium 7
Connections By Richard Young
Connections reflects the ties that span seven generations, linking Richard’s grandchildren to their ancestors in Gippsland. More than a single artwork, it comprises four interconnected layers that weave together countless stories of families, clans and tribes. Bound by enduring values, these stories create a strong foundation that resonates
with Tanglin’s commitment to global citizenship: Honour. Strength. Identity. Truth. Family. Relationships. The work highlights the importance of identity and belonging, reminding us that our connections can transcend borders and that the places, people and cultures with which we share deep ties help shape who we are.
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Nixon Building, Dining Hall 8
Sundial Installation By Tanglin Alumnus, Edwin Fung (Cohort 2013)
The design is a blend of a stainless-steel arch with an Indonesian teak and brass base. The art piece is not only a beautiful addition to the Sixth Form Piazza, but also a functional memento that tells the time when the earth and sun interact. This form of art inspires our students, as it combines arts and science to honour those who have shaped our community today.
A landmark piece of art was unveiled on Tanglin’s birthday in 2025 to celebrate the legacy of our former CEO and Head of School, Ron Stones OBE, whose leadership shaped Tanglin’s modern identity. It was designed by Edwin Fung, a renowned designer and Tanglin alumnus (2013 cohort).
CENTENNIAL ARTS TRAIL 2026
04/06
Sixth Form Centre, Piazza 9
Symphony of Growth By Zul Mahmod
The Symphony of Growth sculptures go beyond their visual allure, introducing an auditory dimension that serves as a platform for subtle yet impactful commentary on the intricate relationship between humans and nature. The sculptures’ sound is intricately tied to the wind, with varying height slits on the tree trunks capturing gusts from different directions, resulting in a ‘howling’ sound.
This auditory experience can range from subtle tones to moments of complete silence, emphasising the uncontrollable nature of Mother Earth. In essence, the Symphony of Growth transcends its physical form as kinetic sound sculptures. It becomes a symbol of interconnectedness, not only visually but also audibly, serving as a reminder of our responsibility to nurture and sustain the delicate balance of the natural world.
CENTENNIAL ARTS TRAIL 2026
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Sixth Form Centre, Piazza 10
A Bridge Across the Sea By Jonathan Dove, CBE
A Bridge Across the Sea was commissioned as part of the Centennial Arts Trail by acclaimed British composer Jonathan Dove, CBE, in celebration of the school’s centenary. The commissioned piece was premiered during the Centenary Concert on 23 April 2025 at the prestigious Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore.
landscape. The final image of reaching across the sea together perfectly captured Tanglin’s centenary: reflecting our diverse community, shared purpose and preparing our students to make a meaningful impact in the wider world.
Scan here to see the interview with Jonathan Dove, CBE, and Concert highlights.
Drawing on the Ramayana, one of ancient India’s great epics, the dramatic cantata offered a powerful and universally resonant story that reflected Singapore’s rich cultural
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To learn more about the Foundation, visit tts.edu.sg/giving or scan
Tanglin Trust School Limited 95 Portsdown Road Singapore 139299 t: +65 6778 0771 f: +65 6777 5862 w: www.tts.edu.sg