Singapore muralist steps off the street and into gallery for his first solo show

The man behind the recognizable murals along the streets of Chinatown and Tiong Bahru is showcasing his work indoors for the first time. 

Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong, who has painted more than 50 murals across Singapore’s heartlands, has opened a display of new works illustrating old-timey relics and slices of local life at the Art Porters Gallery in Tanjong Pagar. 

The Something, Somewhere, Somewhen exhibition features the 52-year-old’s latest visual feats of realism in the form of 27 paintings and 15 objects including tables, chairs, and blinds. He painted all of the works in the show during four months last year, a big productivity leap from the five he painted between 1995 and 2015. 

Off the wall, works include tableware printed with Yip’s drawings of local delicacies satay and Nasi Lemak. The artist has also recreated his popular cat illustrations on furniture. 

Yip first mural came in 2015 with Amah, or grandma, on Everton Road. He then went on to make his mark all over Singapore, painting scenes from his childhood and past times in the streets of Chinatown, Tiong Bahru and Kampong Glam. 

The exhibition runs till March 14. A second exhibition titled Stories from Yesteryear is expected to open Feb. 18 at a venue TBA.

FIND IT
Art Porters Gallery
64 Spottiswoode Park Road
10:30am to 7pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday

Correction: A previous version of this story stated the incorrect opening hours. The gallery is closed on Mondays.  

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