Street Art Singapore: Self-guided tour of street art in Joo Chiat

Singapore and street art or graffiti seem like an odd combination. However, there are some amazing pieces by both local and international artists in Singapore. Either in plain sight between skyscrapers or hidden away in back alleys. And the art ‘collections’ have grown over the past few years. It feels like I see newly created pieces constantly. These murals were all approved or commissioned; unapproved street art and graffiti are still illegal in Singapore.

Until a few years ago, only a few murals could be found in Singapore. At least from what I can recall. With the majority around the Haji Lane area and a few that I knew of in the East Coast. One of the first international artists commissioned was Ernest Zacharevic. Now if his name sounds familiar, he was also commissioned to do murals in Penang (we have a detailed guide to Penang street art as well). 

Where to see street art in Singapore

Singapore’s neighbourhoods are great places for art hunting. Some of the neighbourhoods where you can find street art around Singapore are Chinatown, Haji Lane and Gelam gallery, Little India, and Joo Chiat, to name a few.

Did you know that the East Coast and, more particular, the Joo Chiat area is filled with incredible art?

I have compiled a self-guided walking guide to all the street art found in Joo Chiat, starting from Rumah Bebe and ending in Joo Chiat road.

Self-guided walking tour of Joo Chiat street art

Lower Joo Chiat

Opposite i12 Katong, you will find the Peranakan shop called Rumah Bebe. Stop here for Peranakan wear and crafts or a delicious piece of kueh at the little shop next to them, then head down the side alley. 

At this alley on 113 East Coast Road, you will find the Mosaic wings-Medley Alley by Nicia Lam, Yullis Lam, Novena Angela and Valerie Neo. The wings are made up of Majolica tiles, the decorative Peranakan tiles found on the shophouses, each tile with its own design. Perfect spot for a photo. 

Keep walking to the back; here you will find two more pieces in the back alley behind Rumah Bebe. The colourful wall of Rumah Bebe with the ladies dressed in Kebayas and the girl with dumpling balloons called, Dumpling girl by Safaruddin Abdul Hamid aka Dyn.

Also see: 15 Free & low-cost things to do in Singapore

Joo Chiat road

Follow the alley until you reach Joo Chiat road. Turn left, and walk to 341 Joo Chiat Road, in a parking lot on the right-hand side. Here you will find the mother and child mural- A History of Healing by Tell Your Children; the building used to be the Joo Chiat Maternal and child health clinic at the beginning of the 20th century. 

On the opposite side of the parking lot, you will see the Cats, Jalan Jalan by Didier Jaba Mathieu, aka Jabat. Jalan Jalan is a group of cats walking (Jalan) in beautiful bright colours.

Head up about two buildings away at 333 Joo Chiat Road to find The Ferryman by Ink & Clog; this piece is about the iQiyi series called The Ferryman: Legends of Nanyang and is Peranakan inspired. 

A short distance from here, a brand new piece I saw for the first time while still in progress at the end of December. The phoenix by Boon at 321 Joo Chiat Road. I love this one, true Peranakan motifs and colour combinations. Absolutely stunning.

Also see: Walking from Marine Parade to Changi Jurassic Mile 

The Alley

Turning right into Koon Seng Road, you will first notice the beautiful Peranakan Houses. From here, walk up the alley behind 281 Joo Chiat Road. The wall is part of a mural called High tide by Helene Le Chatelier and a poem by Singaporean poet Christine Chia. The mural depicts the story how the area use to get flooded by the river. Follow the poem along the wall.

Stay in the alley, and you will find on the back wall of SOJAO, a linen store, their painted cotton flowers and the bright red door.

Also see: Fun pottery workshop at an old dragon kiln

The top part of Joo Chiat road

Leaving the alley behind, walk up to 95 Joo Chiat Road; this is a bit further away. Our favourite is to take a break either at Common man coffee roaster for a coffee or Canvas Gelateria for a gelato.

 At 95 Joo Chiat Road, you will find two murals close to each other called Kway Guan Huat Popiah by Jaxton Su. The shop, Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Original Popiah & Kueh Pie Tie, have been making authentic popiah skins for over 70 years. Popiahs, a thin crepe-like wraps stuffed with a filling. Almost like a spring roll but made of wheat flour. The family still makes it the traditional way, by hand, which is a timely process. 

 

Lastly, the only mural I remember to be here when we lived on the East Coast back in 2016, Ernest Zacharevic’s Style Wars. Now slightly more faded than what I remember. 

We hope you enjoy this short walking tour of Joo Chiat, East Coast street art in Singapore and discovering art in the East coast; we always love hear from you if you found our articles helpful, so leave use message below! 

Safe travels

xxx