Mural Mania

Singapore Has Its Fair Share Of Museums, Galleries And Art Fairs, But Some Of Its Best Art Is Actually Found Down The Country's Most Unassuming Alleyways And Humble Void Decks

- JAMIE LEE

Singapore doesn’t fall short when it comes to a bustling creative scene. While you will always be able to find treasures on the walls of established institutions like National Gallery and Singapore Art Museum, there are also plenty of underrated gems to be uncovered in neighbourhoods like Little India and Woodlands.

The mural culture in Singapore has been an enduring icon of the local art scene since it first appeared in the 1990s. Mural art is not to be mistaken with graffiti, the latter is more spontaneous and frequently expressed through words with specific areas like Somerset Skatepark and Aliwal Arts Centre that have been legally approved for such artworks. On the other hand, murals tend to feature more fine art and colour schemes, distinguished by a unique blend of Eastern and Western art styles that evoke the scenes of everyday life.

As street art in Singapore requires government approval, public agencies like Singapore Tourism Board or national art movements like Art Walk work with mural artists for a project. Approval usually takes weeks to years, especially for historical conservation areas like Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India. Here, discover the sights and sounds of Singapore’s history, heritage and pop culture, from murals that showcase the country’s past, present and future.

OLD TALES OF SINGAPORE

LETTER WRITER BY YIP YEW CHONG

336 Smith Street, New Bridge Centre

In the early 20th century, many immigrants from China arrived on the shores of Singapore looking for work as labourers, samsui women and domestic servants. As many of them were illiterate, they relied on the services of professional letter-writers to relay messages to and maintain relationships with relatives and friends back home in China.