How well do you know the graffiti art scene in Singapore?
At this year’s GLAMboyant 2022 festival, local and renowned street artists came together to celebrate the art form at none other than Singapore’s ethnic hub, Kampong Gelam. Set in conjunction with the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, the event featured food, music, movies and a variety of graffiti art events for all to enjoy.
A little-known fact? Singaporean artists were the ones who kickstarted the graffiti art scene in Southeast Asia! The Aliwal Arts Centre hosted the multidisciplinary art exhibition titled “OFF THE BLOCKS!!!”, which displayed paintings and art exhibits by local SG artists. A tour of the exhibit was led by leading street artist and LASALLE graduate ZERO, a key member of the graffiti art community. He shared his experiences and passion for spray-painting, relating the art to his commitment to the local community. Visitors were also able to enjoy a live painting showcase on each day of the event.
GLAMboyant 2022 also held daily graffiti crash courses by The Blackbook Studio, Singapore’s first-ever physical graffiti art store, entertaining those who wished to give spray painting a go, young and old alike.The store is managed by Slac Satu, one of Singapore’s first-generation graffiti artists, who helped pioneer the street art scene here. As part of the event, Slac collaborated with the Philippine graffiti art community to create stunning displays, using a 14-meter-long wall that served as a great location and canvas for painting and practicing.
Amidst the return of the high-profile Grand Prix season, celebration and hype surrounding GLAMboyant 2022 could be found from Aliwal Street to Haji Lane, and folks were able to appreciate and explore the cultural arts of Singapore. Indeed, it was a wonderful event that thoroughly captured the exuberance, self-assurance and style of street art and Kampong Gelam!
Aliwal Arts Centre’s Off the Blocks!!! Exhibition
