Any itinerary or guide to Singapore will mention the Haji Lane district for its eclectic shops, vibrant bars, and unique wall murals. In fact, the eccentric murals have become one of its main attractions. Now, you can find Singapore's first outdoor gallery in the historical precinct. Called the Gelam Gallery, it debuts at the back alleys of Kampong Glam – where two parallel walls of Muscat Street feature framed pieces alongside wall murals and splashes of graffiti.
Spearheaded by Colorinc with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the project has transformed the dingy back alleyways into an outdoor art gallery. The back lanes of Muscat Street have been converted from a dirty bin storage area into a colourful and vibrant outdoor gallery, that'll look good as your next Instagram backdrop.
Mural by artists Nicia, Yullis and Novena.
Gelam Gallery features an international eclectic mix of artists' art pieces from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Myanmar, France, and the UK. You will find over 30 artworks by local and international artists – ranging from professionals to graduates from Lasalle College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), as well as self-taught artists from various professional backgrounds. Whether it's a pop culture-inspired wall by multi-disciplinary artist PrettyFreakyFantasy or a bold, terrestrial piece by graphic designer Liyana Farzana, the different murals fuse brilliantly to create the city's first outdoor gallery.
If you've got nothing on this weekend, definitely check out Singapore's first outdoor gallery. To find the Gelam Gallery, look for the entrance located at Muscat Street, perpendicular to Baghdad Street. Entrance is free. Come September, you can sign up for free guided heritage and art trails by Monster Day Tours on weekend afternoons.