My Grandfather Road: Urban Street Art in Singapore

"SINGAPORE: Police arrested a 25-year-old woman who is believed to have painted "MY GRANDFATHER ROAD" on several roads in Singapore.

Between 17 and 21 May, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) found the words "MY GRANDFATHER ROAD" being painted on some roads along Robinson Road and Maxwell Road and reported the matter to the Police.

LTA also reported that circular stickers printed with captions were pasted on a pavement around Lau Pa Sat and on a road traffic sign along Robinson Road.

Officers from Central Police Division, with the support from Police Intelligence Department, investigated the matter and arrested the woman suspect at her home in eastern Singapore on Sunday." ~reported Channel News Asia.

And so the news happened and spread like wildfire since last night, with folks taking up arms in reaction to the news of the arrest of Samantha Lo - who is also the Founder of RCGNTN, and a member of local urban artists collective RSCLS.



Local folks have been quick to react, with calls to #FREESKL0, calls to print multiple stickers to stick everywhere in Singapore, and petitions to be signed.

This is a reaction to her arrest, and the possibility of her being fined up to SGD$2,00, caned, and even incarcerated for up to 3 years - to which a myriad of folks felt might have been harsh a sentence, which has yet to be determined or passed down.

"Everybody pls read carefully: It says "up to 3 years' jail". It's NOT a verdict. Don't jump to conclusion. It is a fact that she is creative (she should be headhunted by ad agencies, I feel) and it is also a fact that she has broken the law." ~mentioned Wayne Koh on CNA's Facebook

Seems the reaction is divided - if the responses gleamed online is any indication - between folk who had given a 'thumbs-down' to the flourishing of "creativity" in Singapore, versus folks who are conscious of the legalities involved.

"Isn't spraying roads kinda going too far especially in the CBD area in front of a govt building?" ~mentioned Edmund Shern on my FB-posting.

I can fault neither gentlemen's comments, and the "logical"-part of me agrees with them. Although I am 'guilty' as well of reacting differently earlier when I first read about her arrest the night before:

"People ask "how can the arts survive and thrive?" - I say, it cannot. let's not even naively go into the notion of "evolution", or "it'll take time", because one step forward, is followed by hurtling down the stratosphere = is not a "give and take" situation."

But in the end, I do have to admit, and have mentioned before in much earlier circumstances and discussions with friends, "Why give authorities a chance to bust your ass?". But then again, that lies the irony - and perhaps even 'purpose' - of non-sanctioned 'street art' versus recognized 'law'. And mayhap that is the huge difference between art that hangs on pristine gallery walls, and what lurks namelessly on the streets.

I remember going about with a 'visiting artist' down to Haji Lane one night, where he stuck his own character stickers outside on surface walls of retail shops and walls, where all other street stickers reside, and found that notion extremely refreshing, in a law-driven state like Singapore. In the same token, would anyone having a retail establishment in Singapore, allow street stickers to be stuck outside their storefront in the first instance? Folks might champion the art/s, but when it comes to 'livelihood', dare you say you would do allow such a notion, if you were a store-owner? Kudos if you do, stop waving the flag if you do not.


Be that as it may, Singapore is always quick to judge, and most times it is to react to news and situations, rather than perpetuate and promote the origins. And while I have only posted about the LIMPEH Sticker, I have been guilty of not acknowledging her works (because I did not know it was hers, and have not been out much to notice them in the first place lol) before this news, which is a really pity (for me). A caveat here: I dare not claim for fact that the LIMPEH sticker was her in the first instance, just an assumption based on what I foind on the skl0.tumblr.com (unless the tumblr was run by someone else...). An "Armchair-Warrior" I might not be, but kudos to folks who DO get up and out there to do their 'art', regardless if they break the law or do not LOL

All the images posted here can be seen on skl0.tumblr.com - which to most is a cyber-record of works done and to be shared around the world, but in many instances it as well acts as a basis of evidence in which the authorities can gather information on what has been perpetrated. But hey, that is just my logical assumption anyways, and not 'fact' in this particular case.

Can there ever only be all forms of artworks to be seen, to be enjoyed, and embraced? Can street art ever survive the purgatory and watchful eyes of the mainstream, here in Singapore? Break the law and you get into trouble. Break the law and you get called a 'HERO' and gain street cred.

Go to CNA's Facebook-posting here to leave your comments, if you so please.

In a "citizen-journalist" encouraged nation such as Singapore, I am squirmingly waiting for someone out there to make a comparison to the infamous caning of Michael Fay for vandalizing a car, and the two guys who broke into the MRT compound and 'spray grafitti' on a train-side, and see how 'joe-public' reacts to 'non-sanctioned' art.

So, what does it mean; "Your Grandfather's Road"?