Gallery: Public Art Celebrating Singapore’s Identity
Singapore’s MRT system showcases commissioned artworks transforming stations into vibrant cultural galleries. These strategically positioned installations celebrate shared humanity, cultural heritage, and community spirit. The Gallery programme brings vibrant artistic expression to millions of daily commuters enriching transit experiences through meaningful creative engagement.
Featured Artworks and Cultural Narratives
- → TE19: Shenton Way / CC26: Pasir Panjang – “Stride Alongside the Bo-men” by Daisy Boman
- → Artwork focus – Bo-men transcend race and nationality connecting through shared humanity threads
- → Artistic approach – sculptures displayed in groups conveying collective sense of being alongside others
- → Installation location – Shenton Way captures commuter energy and strides around Singapore’s financial district
- → Second location – Pasir Panjang station guides commuters toward PSA International headquarters
- → Donor recognition – PSA International generously donated this significant public artwork
- → Installation year – 2022 marking introduction to MRT public spaces
NS26/EW14: Raffles Place Symphony
- → Artist achievement – Rosa Serra’s acclaimed Spanish artistic vision
- → Original commission – City Developments Limited (CDL) sponsored this bronze masterpiece
- → Historical inspiration – representing changes in Singapore’s urban development trajectory
- → Visual narrative – sculpture captures person in motion celebrating progressive movement
- → Global perspective – artwork immortalizes Singapore’s elevation as global city
- → Installation symbolism – bottom sphere representing past achievements and foundation
- → Future representation – upper sphere symbolizes country’s ambitious future aspirations
- → Installation year – 2024 bringing contemporary artistic expression
DT20: Fort Canning – Another Day (The Coolies)
- → Artist creator – Chong Fah Cheong’s profound sculptural interpretation
- → Thematic focus – immortalizing coolie code and historical labour heritage
- → Historical context – Coolies represented bonded workers during colonial Singapore era
- → Artistic representation – two figures shown sharing simple meal before commencing labour
- → Physical details – one figure squats on wooden stool while companion raises leg to chest
- → Donor support – CapitaLand Development sponsored this meaningful public commission
- → Artistic inspiration – Chong draws from Singapore heritage reflecting on carefree childhood memories
- → Installation year – 2024 celebrating contemporary cultural recognition
TE28: Siglap – Journey Across Sunlight: A Siglap Mosaic
- → Artist vision – Brian Gothong Tan’s award-winning glass mosaic creation
- → Collaborative inspiration – Lim Eng Chong commissioned this culturally significant artwork
- → Community connection – Old Victorians affectionately termed alumni of historical institutions
- → Educational legacy – Victoria School and Victoria Junior College alumni featured prominently
- → Cultural medallion influence – Singapore Cultural Medallion recipients Dr Iskandar Jalil’s ceramics
- → Poetic elements – Edwin Thumboo’s celebrated poetry “Iskandar Blue” providing inspiration
- → Installation year – 2024 bringing community stories to transit spaces
TE19: Shenton Way – Sun Woman
- → Artist perspective – Juan Ripollés creates joyful vibrant aesthetic experience
- → Artistic complexity – seemingly light-hearted yet profoundly meaningful composition
- → Viewer connection – invites personal interpretation and emotional resonance
- → Expressive quality – hands feel light-hearted and playful with underlying depth
- → Layered meaning – holds complexity inviting repeated viewing and reflection
- → Donor recognition – KKR sponsored this contemporary artistic installation
- → Installation year – 2026 bringing future-forward artistic vision
Gift of Art Programme: Community Engagement and Cultural Investment
The Gift of Art (GoA) programme enables organisational and individual art donations. LTA facilitates partnerships where sponsors commission or donate artworks for MRT stations. This innovative approach democratizes public art access bringing vibrant cultural expression to millions of daily commuters. Together with existing Art in Transit programme, LTA creates enjoyable people-centred transport environments generating lifelong connections between artworks and commuters across Singapore’s stations.
