The best street art in Singapore

This list was originally published on June 5 2021. Since then, a lot has changed – some of the murals have been painted over while others still continue to grace our streets.

Vibrant shophouses and the strong presence of Peranakan heritage is all around in Katong. If you're strolling along East Coast Road – en-route to ice cream parlour Birds of Paradise – remember to keep your eyes open. You might just spot this majestic mural at one of the small side laneways between two shophouses. Titled Medley Alley, this eclectic mural by Nicia Lam, Valerie Neo, Novena Angela and Yillish Lam resemble wings made of colourful tiles (a nod to iconic Peranakan tiles) that represent the metamorphosis between generations. 

107 East Coast Rd

Amidst the heritage of Kampong Glam are modern additions to the colourful neighbourhood. A little way off Aliwal Arts Centre is a vibrant piece of wall art on the wall next to the side alley entrance of Aliwal Arts Centre. Part of the Aliwal Urban Arts Festival 2019, this alpha batik piece with loop colours is an eye-catching and breath-taking explosion of colour painted by Singaporean artist Slacsatu.

Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal St

Well-known Bangkok doodler Patcharapol Tangruen – better known as Alex Face – and his signature bunny-like creatures have left their mark on charming Spottiswoode Park Road. The peculiar yet adorable-looking duo of rabbits here don traditional costumes, such as a changshan and nonya kebaya.

Along 64 Spottiswoode Park Rd, Outram Park.

Sketched by local artist Yip Yew Chong, the 40m-long colourful mural behind Thian Hock Keng temple stretches along Amoy Street. In it, Yip beautifully illustrates the early lives of Hokkien immigrants. The work features seven different panels, including drawings of a modern Chinese wedding ceremony and the bustling kampong days.

Opposite 92 Amoy St, Telok Ayer.

On 50 Dunlop Street is 'Vilakku bb', which depicts the lighting of an oil lamp. As part of Artwalk Little India 2021, visual artist Mithra Jeevananthan has created a landscape inspired by the colours used in Kolam-making and the Enney Vilakku to symbolise the hope of bringing colour back to life during these hectic and dreary times. 

50 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209379

In the back-alleys of Tanjong Katong Road, you'll find Fleeting by System Sovereign's co-founder Kiat, created as part of Arts In Your Neighbourhood (AYN). The mural, depicting a sunbird, was inspired by conversations the street artist had with residents that led to a discovery of sunbirds that often visit to drink from the alleyways' water pipes and to feed on the flowers blooming in residents' gardens. 

At the back of Teo Hin Tyres, 190 Tanjong Katong Rd

Southeast Asia's first 'Hall of Fame', which refers to a space legally dedicated to street art, can be found along Bali Lane and Ophir Road. After all, the enclave has long been famed for its colourful street art splashed across its back alleys. In 2019, it welcomed Singapore's first outdoor gallery, Gelam Gallery. 

Spread across Bali Lane and Ophir Road, the project is inspired by the precinct's iconic role in nurturing the local street art scene. The murals – by 17 Singapore-based artists like Jaba Mathieu, ZERO and ANTZ – are found on noise metal barriers spanning an impressive 230-metres.

Bali Lane and Ophir Road

There's a new (and massive) masterpiece in the happening district of Kampong Gelam and it's splashed on the facade of Cuturi Gallery. Dreamt up by Didier Jaba Mathieu, it depicts ships that allude to Singapore's seafaring past and nods to the Lion City's flora and fauna. To know more about the story behind Didier's mural, visit www.cuturigallery.com. 

61 Aliwal St, Singapore 199937

Good news for Shake Shack lovers: you can still get your juicy burgers and decadent shakes for delivery or takeaway. But 89 Neil Road is known for more than just that. The new outlet also features murals by local artist Sam Lo that are an ode to its culturally rich surrounds, inspired by motifs from around the neighbourhood. The most striking one, of course, can be found on the building's facade, depicting a bird and Chinese qilin alongside Malay roof eaves and colourful Peranakan tiling.

Outside Shake Shack, 89 Neil Road

On French Road in between HDB blocks in Jalan Besar, you'll find this mural featuring bullock carts and scenes from the now-defunct New World Amusement Park that used to be in Jalan Besar from the 20s to 60s. The mural was dreamt up by Social Creatives, a collective aiming to promote community art at HDB blocks around Singapore. 

Block 805 French Road

Haji Lane, one of Singapore’s most well-known streets famous for its quirky shops, artisanal cafes, is also lined with murals by some of the top street artists in Singapore. Check out the now completed mural “el lío” by Didier Jaba Mathieu at the back of Piedra Negra on the corner of Beach Road and Ophir Road. Jaba’s works impressive works line all over the area dating back to 2011.

Haji Lane

Amidst Tiong Bahru's hip cafes, restaurants, yoga studios, shops and bookstores are breathtaking street art. Tucked within its alleys is a couple of heritage murals by painter Yip Yew Chong, including Pasar and the Fortune Teller, Bird  Singing Corner and Home.

Blk 73 Eng Watt Street, Blk 71 Seng Poh Lane and Blk 74 between Tiong Poh Road and Eu Chin Street respectively.

It’s no surprise that the arts and heritage district of Bras Basah is splashed with – what else? – art. Benches and lamp posts are decorated with neon paintings – but move away from the main street and duck into the alleys. The quiet corner of Queen Street is an epic mixed-media collage – bizarre one-eyed monsters, tigers and dragons framed by bubble alphabets – that covers the bleak industrial walls.

On Queen St, next to Oxford Hotel, Bras Basah.

Next time you’re strolling along the Singapore River, make sure you take the underpass instead. You’ll be surprised at the amount of art that lies beneath these canals. Under Coleman Bridge, transport yourself to old Singapore with paintings of Sir Stamford Raffles, samsui women and the roaring lion. You might even encounter soulful buskers while you admire the works.

Eu Tong Sen St, Coleman Bridge, Boat Quay.

As you take in the sights and sounds of this culturally rich precinct, don’t miss the street art that dot the area. On Kerbau Road, you’ll find a rainbow cow mural that’s udder-ly fitting. Kerbau – Malay for ‘buffalo’ – played a huge part in the development of Little India and the artwork is a reminder of the area’s old cattle trading business.

Along Kerbau Rd, next to Little India MRT Station, Little India.

Another mural in the colourful Aliwal precinct, this one by Antz (Anthony Chong) is one you need to know. The wall features a fierce dragon splashed in vivid hues – a colourful contrast to the surrounding area. 

Behind Aliwal Arts Centre 

If you're heading for a run in the Joo Chiat neighbourhood, take the Geylang Park Connector and look out for this colourful mural of an arowana by Didier Jaba Mathieu. A visual feast for the eyes, the mural was created with the help of kids from Jamiyah Children's Home. 

Geylang Park Connector Underpass

Outside The Singapura Club at Dunlop Street, you'll find a stunning mural by graffiti artist Ceno. Depicting an old Indian man drinking from a teacup, the mural takes a nod from Ceno's previous work at the establishment's first outpost at Haji Lane – just in colour this time. 

The Singapura Club, 102 Dunlop St.

Remember the slinky? Yeah, well, this particular piece reminds us of that toy. The mural, simple but mesmerising, spreads across a white façade on Neil Road which leads you to the garden-inspired café Botanist.

74 Neil Rd, outside Botanist, Outram Park.