Street art in Singapore has evolved to become more than just spray paint on walls. Local artists here are getting more acclaim than ever—taking their works out of the streets and into art galleries and the corporate world. By Baey Shi Chen and Zaki Jufri
In 2005, a little known street artist who goes by the name of Banksy slipped
unnoticed into the Museum of Modern Art and art galleries in New York to mount
his own works among existing paintings as a way of poking fun at the fine art
establishment. Fast forward a few years later, the reclusive artist counts
celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as fans, with the couple
reportedly shelling out more than £1 million for his works. Likewise, local
street and graffiti artists here are getting more recognition than ever; some
have even held shows in art galleries and museums like the Singapore Art Museum
and Singapore Tyler Print Institute—albeit in a more legit way than Banksy, of
course.
Corporations today also are embracing urban and street art, as are
fashion labels, media types and even club owners, as a way of reaching out to
the young and trendy. Belvedere Vodka recently flew French artist Andre in to
promote its new specially-designed vodka bottle, the Belvedere IX (see our
interview on p.10); while footwear brands like Adidas, Nike and Vans have
commissioned local street artists like Zero, Jahan Loh and The Killer Gerbil to
paint giant murals for their campaigns.
Indeed, the local street art and
graffiti scene has come a long, long way. Gone are the days when these artists
and “taggers” were looked upon as hooligans or wayward kids—they are now
championed as serious artists doing caliber work. I-S presents street
artists whose works you simply must look out for—whether its on the streets, at
the galleries or even, on that bottle of beer or vodka.
Street
Chic
From the streets to the galleries, these individuals are taking
street art to newer heights.
Jahan Loh
Claim to Fame: Although this 32 year-old has
come a long way since his first gallery showing way back in 2002 at Utterly Art,
he’s still active out in the streets, spraying on the fly in between gallery
shows, guest painting stints and no stranger to attention—all kinds of it.
“I always get into trouble, be it illegal graffiti throw-ups or my Cherry Pop
artworks in galleries,” says Loh. His ongoing Cherry Pop series of works which
looks like stylized erotica deals with the naked female form as a metaphor for
the shedding of social rank and the returning of the human being to a simpler
condition.
Currently based in Taiwan, Loh has exhibited his works in
Singapore, Taipei, New York, Melbourne, Beijing, Seoul and Glasgow, and judging
from his art sales, it is safe to say that he is one of Singapore’s most
successful street artists to have made it to the galleries and auction houses.
One of his previous works for a 2006 exhibition at the Esplanade reportedly went
under the hammer for a whopping USD$25,000 at the Kingsley auction last year.
His Cherry Pop sculptures for his Taipei debut show last year were also sold for
USD$12,000 a pop. Not bad for someone who ran afoul with the law during his
youth for his art—something that he, like most street artists, considers a badge
of honor.
Word Up: Loh is currently working on a new series
of works for a show in Beijing later this year which he says is a departure from
his earlier concepts. “The new series I am working on for my solo show in
Taiwant at Beijing 798 gallery is on the concept of ‘dead space,’ and how we
wander through this wilderness, in search for meaning in life,” he says. Loh
wishes to see more street artists like him make their mark out of Singapore at
the galleries; but not to forget their “outlaw” roots so as to strike a balance
in their work. “I think the whole spirit of street art is its borderline
criminal expression, and when legitimized, it’s like pulling the fangs out of a
wild tiger and putting it in a cage.”
Lip
Claim to Fame: Intrigued by the identity and style
that street art is able to achieve, Wong Lip Chin, a.k.a. Lip, became a street
artist four years ago and has rapidly made a name for himself. Other than
producing a body of work that includes distinctive images of genres such as
cartoons and sampled images juxtaposed against one another, the LASALLE College
of the Arts student has already chalked up a solo exhibition and a stint as
artist-in-residence at the Marina Mandarin hotel—all at the age of 22. Citing
artists such as Jeff Koons, Herakut, INSA, and Sc3L as influences, Lip describes
his style as “Realism fusing with flat-art,” and is interested in pushing the
technical aspects of aerosol.
Word Up: “I did not categorize
myself as a street or graffiti artist when I started out as these are just terms
that limit your direction in making art. I would like to break boundaries in the
art world. My work is really organic—I started in the street, but I am zooming
in on the fine arts and conceptual art aspects now as there are so many more
things to explore and talk about. I would really like to create something
outside Singapore Parliament House. It’s never really crossed my mind how my
work will look like in 10 years, but I hope it’ll definitely be something in the
evening sales of Sotheby’s and Christie’s!”
Project Midas
Claim to Fame: Certainly one of the most
exciting developments in the street art scene here, Project Midas represents
what was sorely lacking in a scene that most artists say looks “promising” but
is still in its infancy. Started by street art aficionados Ken Tan and Jon Nah,
Project Midas is Singapore’s first ever company dedicated to increasing the
awareness of street art. Inspired by the art shows they attended during their
travels, the duo felt the need to promote a similar kind of appreciation back in
their region. “It was quite a natural progression for us as we collect art on
the side, which led to us establishing relationships with all the artists. So,
we thought, why not make a business out of it?” says Tan. The duo recently
organized a show for renowned British street artist Swifty at a gallery in
Melbourne in March this year and also put together another show at the Asylum
store featuring Melbourne’s leading artists Ghost Patrol and Nior.
Word Up: The boys recently held a party, Tagged, at Home
Club to officially launch Project Midas last weekend showcasing the best of what
local street and urban art has to offer. Artists involved include Scope One,
Mimer, JabaOne, Lip, Mojoko and Andy Yang. Next in the pipeline are a slew of
exhibitions in the region like the next Swifty show in Jakarta, a Delta (Dutch
street artist) show in Bangkok and something on a larger scale back in Singapore
next year.
ZERO
Claim to Fame: With his masked Luchadore (Mexican
wrestler) characters that usually propagate his works, Zulkarnaen Othman a.k.a.
ZERO constantly tries to integrate and negotiate the function of design and
advertising within the framework of conceptual and traditional fine arts. The
Associate Artist for The Substation was shortlisted for the President’s Young
Artist Awards in 2005, and has shown in Jakarta, Shanghai and other various
street art events in Singapore. His most notable work to date was covering the
façade of the Singapore Art Museum in 2006 with his Luchadore characters.
Word Up: For his recent Pseudo Branding series of works
which he first showcased as part of his undergraduate work early this year, he
commented on the relationship between art and branding. “I attempted to come
across selling a logo attached with my brand name ZERO,” he says. “As what’s
going around in the world most of the time, a piece of work is highly valued
when there is a famous name attached to it. The works could look as kitsch as
(Takashi) Murakami’s, but with the famous name attached to it, suddenly it is
seen as an acclaimed piece of artwork. This is a satirical approach on how most
advertisements try to sell a certain lifestyle attached to their products while
not really explaining or selling what their product is really about.”
(Spray) Guns for Hire
Savvy
street artists who have taken their craft to the next level and are working with
the corporate big boys.
Eeshaun
Claim to Fame: Describing his work as
“free-form, improvised drawings of inhabitants in organic environments,” Soh Ee
Shaun, 28, a.k.a. Eeshaun, creates humorous and whimsical images comprising
flowing lines and rich swirls of color. Most notably, he has produced works for
the 11th Venice Biennale, Adidas Originals and was specially appointed by
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) to create murals at Bishan station for the
upcoming Circle Line. Drawn to works with bright colors and illustrated in a
flat, simple 2D style, the artist, who also lectures at Republic Polytechnic, is
inspired by international artists Keith Haring, Chris Johanson and Jon
Burgerman.
Word Up: “Actually, much of my work is done at
home and not really on the street,” he says. “So most people might disagree that
it’s street art—although it might resemble what people understand as street art,
or graffiti or character art. I’d say its more Pop Art, or illustration. I think
the message I want to convey in my work is that everyone should enjoy life, be
happy, and not sweat the small stuff. I think street art in Singapore is headed
wherever the rest of the world is heading. I see it as a global movement, and
local artists must react very quickly to new styles that other countries
produce. I’d definitely like to see change in my work in 10 years. I hope I’ll
pick up a new skill like programming and maybe use new technology to design my
artwork.”
The Killer Gerbil (KGB)
Claim to Fame: Mustafah
Luthfi, 30, a.k.a. The Killer Gerbil (KGB), started creating graffiti art in
2003 by leaving stickers and painting artworks on recycled materials on the
streets. Inspired by pop culture, MTV, graphic design and errr, his dead pet
gerbils (you heard us right), KGB’s work is distinguished by repeated images of
his alter ego, whom he describes as “a street rat that kills empty spaces with
colors and forms.” A dominant figure in the local street art scene, KGB won the
Motorola Streetstyle Street’s Choice Award in 2005 and has created works for
events and exhibitions both locally and overseas. A recent collaboration with
Nike Singapore to celebrate the launch of the Nike Air Yeezy will see the
unveiling of a KGB mural at the flagship store in Wisma Atria in May.
Word Up: “I don’t have a habit of looking to another artist
for influence. I want to be original,” he says. I have definitely evolved in
style, form and color, because as an artist I am easily bored ... I feel that
locals are beginning to open up slowly but surely to this art form, and it’s
also good to know that some individuals are bringing street art into
institutions. I’ve been lucky that people actually enjoy and support my works. I
think street art will become how hip hop is at the present—everyone (and their
moms) will be doing it and this art form will be openly accepted by the
masses.”
Momorobo
Claim to Fame: Morris Lee, 27, the founder of
local multimedia design collective Momorobo, never had an education in art or
design. While not technically street art practitioners, Lee and his crew’s
(Eddie Yeo, Eric Lee and Meng Han) works lean to sensibilities which have their
roots in street and urban art. But that, however, has not stopped him from
steering the group towards becoming one of the leaders in the design industry.
With prestigious collaborations with companies such as Ministry of Sound,
Motorola, Adidas, The Butter Factory and Theatreworks just to name a few, Lee
loves to push clients’ aesthetic limits and always considers the next project
his key work. They were recently commissioned by Belvedere Vodka to create a
series of graffiti-inspired artworks. Citing artists like Richey Edwards and
Mark Rothko as well as local art directors Theseus Chan and Melvin Chee as
influences, Lee’s work aims to convey “the fragility of humanity and what I’m
going to have for lunch.”
Word Up: “Nothing much has
changed in the genre since I first started. Everything’s pretty much eye candy
still. Singaporeans have become accepting of street art as it’s certainly
mainstream now. Working with many global companies has led to artistic
compromises, but that’s only right because they are paying the bills. My work
has gone through several phases, so I guess it’s a ‘let’s try to round up
everything, throw it into a washing machine and see what I’ll get’ style. I try
not to think too much about my style and direction. I would love to skip the
evolution part and become something entirely different and unrecognizable
altogether.”
Antz
Claim to fame: Anthony Chong, a.k.a. Antz, cut his
teeth in street art when he decided to move his art from the computer to a
platform with a bigger surface. In the three years he has been on the scene,
Antz has already amassed a portfolio of hip collaborations with global companies
Adidas, IdN, Converse, Nike, Taggerbags and MTV Asia. Describing his style as
East-meets-West, the 27 year-old’s work comprises illustrations of ideas
generated from everyday life, and also Chinese myths and Asian folklore
reimagined in a modern context. Antz counts fellow local artists Zero, The
Killer Gerbil, Jahan Loh and :phunkstudio as influences, and also admires
international artists Michael Lau, Jamie Hewlett and Banksy. He recently
collaborated with Momorobo for a live painting session for Belvedere Vodka
during its Belvedere Beat campaign.
Word Up: “I’m
inspired by anything and everything—it’s a matter of whether the ideas stay long
enough for me to pop them into my black book,” he says. “I think street art is
misunderstood in Singapore—we are not just artists who appear at events and do
only live art demos or create a cheaper option to replace expensive vinyl
stickers. It took us a long time to practice and explore the art form, and I
hope people will at least try to get to know a bit about it before they judge. I
would like to paint something as huge as one of the Suntec buildings. Actually,
I really want to paint on a jet plane.”
Walk on the Wild Side
Born
out of the streets, these guys are still keeping it real and indie—generating an
impressive body of work on the streets.
Scope One
Claim to Fame: “Just imagine a wall somewhere.
It was plain white or pale grey the night before, but when you pass by it the
next day on your way to work, then BOOM! Someone did a massive explosive color
piece out of nowhere,” says Mazlan Ahmad a.k.a. Scope One excitedly about his
reasons for being a graffiti artist: To create without boundaries.
With
his old school “wild style” graffiti style of writing, the 33 year-old is one of
Singapore’s pioneering street artists. Scope One is also the artist responsible
for putting the country on the world graffiti/street art map when his works were
showcased on the infamous artcrimes.com website. Since then, the artist has been
honing his craft as a full-time graffiti artist here, doing both commissioned
and “un-commissioned” works, and participating in graffiti exhibitions here and
abroad, like the annual Singapore Street Festival.
Word Up: Scope One was the second artist invited to paint a mural at the dbl-O Art Space
in February this year as part of the club’s efforts in nurturing the local urban
arts scene. As for future plans, he is also branching out into other aspects of
the scene which no doubt will further raise awareness of the burgeoning street
art scene here.
“I am going to do a book called Undaground Singapura. It’s a
book about Singapore’s graffiti scene, and I’m already planning to work on toys
with other artists, and also planning to curate solo shows or collaborations
with other artists,” he says.
Speak Cryptic
Claim to Fame: Calling his works “text
interventions,” the artist known as Speak Cryptic has been peppering public
spaces with subversive messages seeking to prompt passersby to question the
world, and especially the institutions and space around him. “I’ve always been
interested in the human condition and the relationship between man and his
immediate environment,” he says. “This whole idea of trying to make the world a
better place is the ultimate intention, as cliché as that might sound.” With
that, the artist, who is also a member of local post-rock music outfit I Am
David Sparkle, only started plying his craft by chance on an outing with fellow
artist The Killer Gerbil in 2005, when he began tagging the town with his
stickers with messages like “Make Up Your Mind And Leave” or “Breathe In
Moderation.” “I want people to question the things around them and by leaving
stickers, signs, posters and paintings behind, it is my hope that society at
large will be as curious as cats and start questioning.”
Word
Up: “I never stick around long enough to find out,” says Speak Cryptic,
when asked about reactions to his works. “I have no idea how people react and I
guess in that regard, it would seem kind of pointless to keep putting out works
back onto the streets, especially since street art in itself is all about
interaction with the public.”
Where to get your dose of street art (other than the
streets):
Asylum
22 Ann Siang Rd.,
6324-2289.
This hip lifestyle emporium also doubles up as an art
gallery when the occasion calls for it. So far, it had hosted a slew of street
art events featuring artists like Yok, Draawer, Ghostpatrol and Nior. Check out
its website www.theasylum.com.sg for updates.
The Butter Factory
#02-02/03/04 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd.,
6333-8243.
This arty-farty hip hop and electro club is one of the
first clubs here to showcase urban art works. Its new location at One Fullerton
is decked out in quirky characters and urban art pieces from the likes of
Peskimo, Jeremyville and Eboy.
dbl-O Art Space
#01-24 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St.,
6735-2008.
The nine year-old dance club run by entertainment group
Emerald Hill launched Art Space within its dbl-O club in January to promote
local artists monthly. So far, it has organized shows featuring local artists
like Keep It Like A Secret, Scope One and OneTwoDelta.
Night & Day Bar
139A/C Selegie Rd.,
6884-5523.
This art gallery and bar is a hit with Singapore’s
creative set and a cool place to see showcases of new graphic and street
artworks regularly, and works of artists like Speak Cryptic and Eeshaun have
graced its walls.
Rebel
Blk. C Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd.,
6333-4168.
Come on down to this five month-old boutique hip hop club
in Clarke Quay to see graffiti art by Australian artist Megs while grooving to
the beats of DJs Tang and Rattle. The club plans to hold street and urban art
events here regularly and it last hosted a designer toy exhibition by cult
designer Jakuan.
For more street/urban art action, don’t miss ...
A Nice Set Singapore
Concierges of cool and creative community
space DOPE and AWE50ME present A Nice Set: Singapore, a series of exhibitions
featuring 100 customized slip-mats (you know, that round piece of fabric you put
on the turntable) by artists from all over the contemporary and urban art world,
including Japan, Australia, UK and US. This exhibition is curated by New York
creative studio Plus et Plus and conceptualized by The Reed Space—all leading
lights in the urban art scene; so expect the best of art, design and even music
all rolled into one. The travelling exhibition drops this May 15 at Mimolette
(55 Fairways Dr., 6476-7748) with DJ Perplex spinning grooves. Then it will
travel to OverEasy (#01-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6423-0701) on May 22
with DJ B. Then it’s off to Hacienda (13A Demsey Rd., 6476-2922) on May 29 for a
final run with DJ Mugen on deck duties. Each exhibition will feature 33
different artists—11 from the international exhibition, 11 from the Australian
exhibition and 11 from Singapore. All 100 exhibited slip-mats, as well as a
commemorative book published by leading design magazine IdN, will be up for
grabs at the exhibitions.
