Bishan ITE Graffiti Club

Several students of Bishan ITE, College Central got together and formed a “Graffiti Club”. Their first task after acquiring the basics of graffiti was to brighten up the school. Next is to take on bigger walls out there.

N7 Mother Tongue Support Group: Cultural Day

Cultural experience through batik crafts, plus understanding its relevance in the region and within a multi-cultural Singapore. This is the second year we were invited to run this programme.

Fuchun Primary School: Post Examination Batik Painting

Introduction to batik painting as post-examination activity for primary five students.

Kampong: APAD’s Contemporary 2007

APAD’s 33rd Contemporary Art Exhibition held at

Malay Heritage Centre (Taman Warisan Melayu).
Showing from 25th May 2007 – 8th June 2007.
Refer to official exhibition website for details.

The theme of this exhibition is about ‘kampong’ (Malay word for village). Most Singaporean if they are below 40 years-old would only have a vague idea of a kampong. That is because the housing landscape of this island nation underwent such rapid change after independence in 1965, that the kampung became extinct. I was born in a kampong. Yes literally – it is indicated in my birth certificate: 638-7 Lorong Palesari (That’s within Kampung Bedok – now some fancy condominium). I had a memorable childhood growing up in the kampung and during my adolescent years, I visited several Malaysian states to stay with relatives in their kampung. Though there are no more kampongs left in Singapore, I feel that we can keep the kampong spirit alive.

The kampong to me is more than a physical description for a particular type of housing with inadequate modern facilities. Basically, it is good neighbourliness. It is about overcoming common needs and celebrating small triumps. I wanted to express these thoughts in reminiscing the kampong and I thought of the simple toys we used to play that builds on neighbourly interactions.

Batteries not included, 2007, Batik installation,
5cm cube x 5 pieces in variable arrangements

Five-stones (Malay: Batu Serembat) is a simple home-made toy for a game that children played. I remembered playing it with my neighbours. It is made of left-over pieces of cloth, a patchwork of sort reflecting the times of scarce resources. A big contrast to the games children play these days. Computer games that often promote violence and builds upon one’s selfishness. Viewers are allowed to touch my installation and reflect on the simplicity of interaction in a game. The fabrics used are my own batik paintings which I stitched together. Older audience seems to have an immideate response to it. However, most find it hard to accept that this is a work of art. What do you think? Your comments appreciated.

Yew Tee Primary School: P5 Post Examination Batik

Lesson in batik painting for Primary five students.

That same day, we also did a batik painting demonstration at Hwa Chong Junior College.

TAPAC mural project: Completion

We have created a new landmark in Singapore’s urban landscape and possibly the largest triptych in the world (let me know if it is not). This old school building at 182 Cecil Street houses several performing arts group under the National Arts Council Housing Project for the past 22 years (since 1985). Previously, most people assumed that it is an abandoned building waiting to be demolished, it was not clear to the public who are the tenants and its presence is invisible to passerby who went about their hurried chores in the Central Business District (CBD).

I proposed this mural to the National Arts council because I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself with a graffiti style mural, furthermore Telok Ayer Performing Arts Center (TAPAC) could do away with the drab facade and take on a vibrant look – the potential of the three big walls facing a busy street was previously ignored. The tenants were supportive of the idea, however I had to wait indefinitely for the time this building undergo its renovation and repairs cycle to be able to start working on it. Several artists were approached to collaborate on this project, when I finally got the approval and work schedule (almost three years later), all the intended collaborators are not available – so I had to do it alone with 3 assistants.

Long time ago when I completed my diploma in graphic design at NAFA (fifteen years ago), I fancied myself working on a big mural, a rather odd thing in Singapore that does not have a strong culture for street art or murals like Los Angeles or Mexico. Well now I’m finally able to do one. The experience of working outdoors for one and a half month is a humbling experience. We were at the mercy of scorching sun and rain. Its a lot different from the cushy studio we usually worked in. Many finer skills for using the spray can was learned on this job. It made us more confident and we worked faster nearer the end. Undeniably, the threat by the main contractor to pull out the boom-lift crane if we do not finish on time was the big stick.

There’s heavy human traffic in front of the building along Cecil Street towards Tanjong Pagar MRT and its encouraging to see people take notice of the wall, taking pictures as we worked, some even cheered and gave their thumbs up – strangers who openly expressed their appreciation for what we did… Singaporean’s do appreciate art it seems. Of course there are also the few vocal ones who had to tell you how they would have done it differently. Well I’m not angry because I’m usually too tired to be angry. I visibly lost some weight doing this and that I like very much.

I thank my full-time assistant Mr. Dino Hafian; My student interns from Nafa: Glenn Koh and Wilmer Phuah for sticking with me on this demanding task. To all the people that has helped and cheered on. I thank you and hope to be able to do more public commision art.

The boy band pose for the local papers. Glenn Koh on the right, Wilmer Phuah on the left.

Lunch was a chop-chop affair. No time for naps. Top-up on fluids to prevent dehydration. Dino Hafian is the one with the victory sign because I finally bought him lunch.

The choir section was painted over and re-done because it would have made the place look like a kindergarten. Quality control lah!

Inspiration for the fillers were from my earlier surreal paintings done in 2003.

Completion of my 1st wall and signing off on 13th May 2007

Detail of the 1st wall. The arabesque motif expresses our rich cultural mix inspired by clothing patterns from the various races in Singapore.

The final wall was completed on the evening of 17th May 2007. Hope they could install spot-lights to illuminate the murals at night.

These mural’s have been spotted at:
Artcrimes (Graffiti.org) News: The Bench
Keropokman: What beautiful mural on wall along cecil street
Keropokman: Part two of Tapac mural

Bedok View Secondary: National Education Graffiti Workshop

Secondary two students of Bedok View Secondary school underwent an intensive graffiti workshop as part of their Community Involvement Project (CIP) with the theme of National Education. We had the priviledge of breaking our new record, coaching 140 students in one sessions with 7 graffiti artists (writers).

Hmm… pretty good for first timers.

Art is art, crime is crime – know the difference! Unorthodox teaching methods for drilling in the message that vandalism is unacceptable.

Balestier ITE – Batik painting workshop for fund raising

We conducted a whole day workshop for students in Balestier ITE so that they can be taught how to produce works-of-art to sell at their school fund-raising event.