Buddhism
With a third of Singapore's population Buddhist, temples are part of the urban landscape. One of the city's main Hindu places of worship dates back to 1855. The Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple is dedicated to Vishnu, also known as Perumal. The sacred site's tower, added in 1966, features a host of sculptures on its six levels rising to a height of twenty meters. Every year, a procession starts from this temple and makes its way up to the Sri Thendayuthapani temple. On this occasion, the men wear "kavadis", richly ornamented footed trays overhanging their heads. This annual festival celebrates Murugan, god of courage, strength, beauty and virtue.
The facade of the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar temple, dedicated to Ganesh, features sculptures of Shiva dancing. Recognizable by his eight arms, Shiva is one of the three primordial gods. Associated with the moon, he specifically represents creation and its counterpart, destruction.
Nanyang movement
Theorized in the 1970s, the Nanyang movement ("South Sea" in Mandarin) refers to a group of six artists of Chinese origin who were also teachers: Lim Hak Tai (1893-1963) gathered around him Cheng Soo Pieng, Chen Chong Swee, Liu Kang and the only woman, Georgette Chen (1906-1993). Together, they contributed to a movement probably influenced by the Ecole de Paris. Indeed, they all completed their training in France, and on their return, blended Western modernism with Chinese tradition. The Nanyang current is not so much characterized by a style as by this fusion, resulting in a variety of proposals. The themes remain attached to local life: everyday scenes, landscapes, portraits. Their works tell us about the Singapore of yesteryear. However, their vision of the 1940s is highly idealized. Their merit also lies in their teaching, which laid the foundations for future innovations.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the wave of nationalism also affected the arts. Social realism was of particular interest to Singaporean artists. After Singapore gained autonomy in 1959, the focus shifted to modernization and the country's quest for identity.
Swie Hian Tan
Swie Hian Tan is perhaps Singapore's best-known artist . Born in Indonesia in 1943, a writer, sculptor and translator, he moved to the Garden City with his family at the age of six. As a young adult, he became known for his poetry. While working as a press attaché for the French Embassy in Singapore, Swie Hian Tan was introduced to Western art and literature. He created his first sculptures in 1964, using clay, wood, metal and resin according to the message to be conveyed.
His first exhibition, in 1973, featured his oil paintings. All were inspired by Buddhism. Buddhist visions and figures, sutras and Zen never ceased to permeate his pictorial work. Later, he turned to European masters such as Dalí and Magritte. Throughout his career, he produced a multitude of portraits, many of them in Indian ink. While this medium is in the pure Chinese tradition, it is a pioneer in the portrait genre.
In the city, his works can be seen at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), under construction until 2026, as well as in the metro, the Raffles City shopping mall, the Pan-Pacific Hotel and several banks.
A modern take-off
Founded in 1990, The Substation was the first center to benefit from the national arts program. Now Singapore's leading alternative arts venue, it offers a resolutely experimental multidisciplinary program. It welcomes the most prestigious visual artists, writers and intellectuals. Among its guests, Amanda Hang was the first artist to evoke feminism in her work. She was also the first to present performances in her hometown. Born in 1951, Amanda Heng exhibits her photographic work worldwide. In her photos and installations, Heng questions notions of gender, identity and femininity with great grace.
Cultural life in Singapore has been booming for the past fifteen years. The Singapore Museum of Art (SAM) is an essential stop-off point for discovering modern art in this part of the world, and houses the richest collection of modern and contemporary art in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, it is closed for renovation until 2026.
Street-art
Under relatively controlled conditions, urban art has been flourishing in Singapore since 2015. While permission must be sought before painting a wall, creativity is welcome in the Kampong Glam district. More specifically, around Haji Lane, the street of colorful facades. Bustling with cafés, boutiques and art galleries, it lends its walls to graffiti artists. Frescoes can be seen all along Bali Lane, Arab Street and Muscat Street.
One of the pioneers of the urban scene is Slacsatu, who first graffitied in 1998. This self-taught artist produces a series inspired by batik, and is particularly fond of abstract compositions. Another Singaporean, ANTZ, is inspired by Chinese mythology. Didier Jaba Mathieu, a Colombian living in Singapore, produces famous graphic works in various neighborhoods.
The explosion of street art is actually the result of a political decision. In 2015, the government invited 50 international artists to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Independence. Six years later, it validated the birth of the "Graffiti Hall of Fame" in Kampong Glam. To create it, 17 local artists embellished 240 meters of facades without ever straying from political correctness. On pain of imprisonment.
Each district glorifies its heroes and their contribution to national history. In Tiong Bahru, artist Yip Yew Chong was commissioned to paint murals. The only constraint: to illustrate the song and beauty of birds (to be seen at 71 Seng Poh Lane, 74 Tiong Poh Road/Eu Chin Street); he also signed the portrait of a fortune-teller at 73 Eng Watt Street.
Chinatown welcomes the talent of Belinda Low on Banda Street. The themes of her fresco are nation-builders, fishermen and farmers. On Amoy Street, a 40-meter-long mural tells the story of the first immigrants, recalling the hopes and sacrifices of the first generation of Singaporeans.
In Little India, look out for ZERO's portrait of Tamil film star Rajinikanth on Hindoo Road. Indian traditions are presented by Psyfool along Belilios Lane. There's nothing controversial about it, but that doesn't detract from the quality.
Urban sculpture
The urban landscape reveals itself as a privileged territory for public sculpture. In the city's many parks and gardens, you're sure to stand in awe of one of Sun Yu Li's creations. The Chinese-born artist has been punctuating the garden city with sculptures for 40 years.
After arriving in Singapore in 1981 to work as an architect, Sun Yu Li took up painting and sculpture in his spare time. Gradually, he devoted more and more time to developing a universal language. In his view, the simple forms of his creations emanate directly from the mind, from his thoughts and emotions. He incorporates symbols to emphasize the union of form and meaning. Through his works, the artist invites us to anchor ourselves in existence, while relying on mathematical laws to achieve universality. Each of his sculptures is shaped in relation to natural light, wind and its natural or urban environment.
Linking the city's main sculptures and architectural creations, the Marina Bay Art Trail takes 1h30 to complete along the water's edge. The cultural stroll includes local artists as well as global names such as Roy Lichtenstein and Lin Emery. It ends in Merlion Park, after a shopping detour at Marina Square Shopping Mall.
Contemporary
Up-and-coming talents are welcomed at the Chen Hampe Gallery, within the Raffles Hotel (Unit 01-04, 328 North Bridge Road). Established artists are represented by Artfolio Gallery and Connoisseur Gallery. Opposite the hotel, the Ode to Art gallery showcases contemporary Chinese art and modern sculpture.
Don't miss a visit to Gillman Barracks. These former British army barracks have been converted into art galleries such as Sundaram Tagore Gallery and Pearl Lam.
The Singapore Art Fair has established itself as the new meeting place for the world's art scene. It is the largest and most international art fair in Southeast Asia. No fewer than 160 galleries gather at ART SG in January, in the heart of the financial district at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, to exhibit the most innovative and inspiring art.
The event is part of the SG Arts Plan. This program, held between 2018 and 2022 has prioritized cultural life. The aim being to make Singapore an attractive center for the art world while valuing the pluralism of the population. Residents from all walks of life are encouraged to harness their creativity through education and the opening of art venues and events. Inspiring and reunifying, art carries a heavy mission, but Singapore rolls out the red carpet for it.
