A signature element of the art scene in Singapore is the beautiful blending of different cultures. While the majority of the population is made up of Chinese Singaporeans, the republic is also home to other major ethnic groups such as Malays and Indians. Singapore’s art speaks volumes about the traits of its culture. The art scene in Singapore isn’t just existent for the sake of it. Our art scene stands out as a beautiful amalgamation of art styles and cultures. One popular form of art is street art.
Street art is a distinct and conscious form of self-expression which has become a recent phenomenon in Singapore. The city-state has its own tradition of mural art. Mural painting is true to form as an art form with its versatility. Mural paintings and graffiti walls are dominant elements of art murals in Singapore.
Evolution of Singapore’s Art in Brief
Prior to World War II, Singaporean art drew influence from Nanyang School. The Nanyang tradition was largely practised by Chinese painters. However, by the end of the war in the mid-1940s, the country’s rich multicultural society played a key role in shaping art in the island nation. In the 1960s, the country was headed towards commercialism as a result of the growing public interest in art. Galleries and museums were opened, offering pride of place for artists. Making use of the trend, the artists began experimenting with the craft.
And Voila! Street art was born!
Street art is much more complicated than what an average connoisseur may think at first glance. It includes various styles of public, outdoor murals, and graffiti. It is important to know the difference between murals and graffiti in order to fully understand the world around us. Kampong Gelam is one place to learn this difference.
Kampong Gelam
Kampong Gelam is a booming area where food and culture meet and where the walls are decorated with vibrant street graffiti. Once the seat of Malay royalty and a thriving cultural and ethnic neighbourhood, Kampong Gelam has a rich history. You can still feel it as you walk through the narrow roads.
Wall Mural Paintings
Yip Yew Chong’s Coffee Story is a remarkable mural visible on the walls of Sultan Gate Restaurant. Chong is a self-taught artist who has painted over 19 wall mural paintings in Singapore.
Hands and marbles by Malaysian artist Andharas is another notable mural. Hailing from Malaysia, the artist behind the mural, Amir Andhar is a mural art specialist. His artwork is a throwback to the childhood game of playing marbles on the ground. This is visible on Muscat Street beside Sultan Mosque.
The murals and interior decoration pieces by multi-disciplinary artist PrettyFreakyFantasy, known for his pop culture elements in bright and bold colours, can also be seen in Haji Lane. The lane is famous for Didier Jaba Mathieu’s mural depicting the Aztecs, a dominant population in Mexico before the country became a Spanish colony in the 16th century.
Aliwal Arts Centre has a fascinating art wall that changes periodically. The wall is currently adorned with the participatory mural titled ‘Reality in Construction’. The colourful contrast to the grey walls of the shophouses in the back lane adds another layer of enchantment to this historical building from the 1920s. Baghdad Street showcases various objects for identification.
Graffiti Walls
Graffiti is a universal art form that is known in all societies, from early hunter-gatherers to those with the highest literacy rates. It has been practised in the countries of Asia for several thousand years. Kampong Gelam is full of graffiti artwork. In fact, it’s famous for being one of the graffiti cities in Southeast Asia.
Sultan Gate leads to a Malay palace in Kampong Gelam, formerly known as Istana Kampong Gelam. Now known as the Malay Heritage Centre, it is close to Sultan Arts Village. Here is a chance for you to paint yourself on a 14-metre-long practice wall where artists meet and just paint for fun. Sultan Arts Village is a place brimming with street art and graffiti.
Conclusion
Kampong Gelam offers a colourful experience of diverse cultures. To find out more about this art, browse https://visitkamponggelam.com.sg. It is packed with information from where to eat and drink to all the other things to do. Walk through a thorough planning idea of Kampong Gelam’s surrounding area, offering not just lodgings, but also advice on which ones suit your lifestyle and budget needs. With all information available right in one place, your exploration of the mural art in Singapore will be a walk in the park.
