BRILLIANT ZINE
{INTERVIEWS FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD}
As part of the Brilliant Corners project, we conducted a number of interviews with the mural artists, as well as some residents and shopkeepers in the Geylang area. Take a look at what they have to say.
There is never any end… There are always new things to imagine and new feelings to get at. And, there is always this need to keep purifying these feelings and creations so that we can really see what we’ve discovered in its most refined essence.
Kiat
Curator / Artist
Tell us who you are!
HELLO! My name’s Kiat and I’m involved with a range of creative work across various disciplines. On some days, I’m creating branding or design work for clients. Other days, I find myself making music for brands or labels. Other times, I’m experimenting on new techniques to create visual art. I’m also part of a collective called Syndicate and it’s made up of a motley crew of the most talented folks I know!
Describe a day in your life. What do you look forward to every day?
I wake up at 8.08am and head to my regular kopitiam at the corner for coffee and soft boiled eggs. As I wait for the coffee, I pen down my thoughts from yesterday’s adventures in my journal and reflect on what has passed. I need this documentation as my mind is usually a mad blur of thoughts and reactions, so this helps me focus and somehow catalog what I did the day before... especially specific thoughts that I need to remind my future self of.
After breakfast is over, I’ll take away coffee for my wife so she has caffeine the moment she is awake. On the walk home, I always take the smaller back alley, so that I don’t have to look at the traffic on the streets. It’s actually the favourite part of my day because that’s when I align my attack plan for day’s tasks in my head without any distractions. This usually ends up as a long to-do list. The walk is super peaceful and it’s my favourite time of the morning. It really sets up day well before all hell breaks loose.
What is the best moment you have experienced as an artist?
I think every moment of creation is really the best moment. There is no progress if nothing is made. There is a certain energy that is captured in that first spark of creation which I’m very attached to… it’s like being addicted to a flow state.
There is never any end… There are always new things to imagine and new feelings to get at. And, there is always this need to keep purifying these feelings and creations so that we can really see what we’ve discovered in its most refined essence.
What gets you through a tough day?
Meditation at least twice a day with a good dose of dub techno while i’m working... something not overly musical so I don’t get distracted. And coffee.
What do you like about the neighbourhood you’re currently working in?
I’ve lived in this area for 10 years and there is a certain laid back energy that I like about it. People here are extremely friendly and helpful. My very first positive memory of the area was when we had just arrived with tons of boxes of stuff and the owner of the restaurant at the ground floor asked his staff to help us carry our boxes of belongings up the stairs. We hadn’t even met but they were nice enough to assist. Every year during CNY spring cleaning, I wash the common stairs and whoever is free chips in with buckets of water and brooms.
Many nice conversations have happened while I was painting from passersby. Strangers conversing isn't something often seen, but somehow through this project I’ve met so many new people expressing their appreciation for us bringing life to the area. There’s just too many good memories and sometimes, it scares me that I might get too used to the area and refuse to head out.
What do you think about having art in the neighbourhood?
I’ve always loved the idea of bringing art everywhere... like painting walls with artists from the neighbourhood. Nothing brings me more joy than discovering art in unexpected places. I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled to places where art exists everywhere you turn and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. It may not all be to my tastes, but I fully respect the intention and effort from those who created it. I especially love the ones that make you pause and reflect, if even for a moment. For many years, I’ve lived by this quote from John Coltrane where he says “One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.” This is why I feel like having art in the neighbourhood is important. It has the potential to create a more positive environment.
Give us some recommendations of what to check out around here.
Kallang Airport Hawker Centre for the yummiest food selection. The walk/cycle down the Geylang River at Sunset is nice.. You get to see swarms of long tailed green parakeets coming back to nest, it’s a sight to behold! But of course, you can find the most information and special deals on our art trail app on our site’s landing page!
What is one animal or plant that you see every day, and what do you think of it? Do you like it?
Well, I see my 2 cats every morning.. and I love them to bits. They’re super sweet and really love being near humans which I find adorable. Having said that, their hunger meows are super annoying and it seems that my life mission for now is to keep them quiet and fed.
What do you think about having art in the neighbourhood? Why is this important?
Art anywhere, in any form is good for a space as it creates conversation. I think that regardless of medium, we need to allow people to express themselves because it is so important that humans are able to communicate and share their thoughts.
Share with us some of the comments or stories which you received when you are painting!
“Can you paint the whole alley or tunnel?”
“Thank you for bringing life to the area with the art..it makes our day”
‘It reminds me of home back in Canada and the walls where I live”
“What? There are no hummingbirds in Singapore?”
Didier ‘JABA’ Mathieu
Visual Artist
Tell us who you are and about the work that you do!
My artist name is Jaba and I’m a graffiti artist with 30 years experience. I also like to practice in different mediums (traditional painting, 2D and 3D digital painting) and I’m also currently leading the art direction for a video game about handball in a cyberpunk dystopian environment.
Describe a day in your life.
I usually wake up pretty early and depending on the project, I usually work about 10 to 12 hours daily. I’m currently painting in a big construction site where I have to execute 9 murals on 8 different floors. I also need to find time to do reviews and follow ups for the video game project. Usually by 11pm I’m fully exhausted and fall asleep pretty fast! Also I don’t make any difference between weekdays and weekends. But at some points I need to take breaks and do nothing stressful.
What is the best moment you have experienced as an artist?
I think for an artist and especially as a muralist/graffiti artist, the best feeling is having nice feedback from normal, everyday people. Knowing that you can bring joy to so many people by just putting colours on a wall is a wonderful feeling.
What gets you through a tough day?
Knowing that I have someone that cares about me and makes everything easy and pleasant at the end of the day. My wife is really my biggest ally in difficult times and she is also a very talented artist and always ends up helping me when things get really hectic!
What do you like about the neighbourhood?
I found that painting in a public space with a lot of traffic is always very rewarding , you have automatic positive feedback from people of all age ranges. For this project, we had the chance to count on the help of a dozen kids from the neighbourhood. Having them participate with so much enthusiasm is a very nice feeling!
What do you think about having art in the neighbourhood?
I really think that art should never be elitist and belongs to everyone, so painting in the ‘hood is the right thing to do.
Where can we see some of your work?
Most of my murals are in Kampong Glam (Haji Lane) and in Little India.
What is one animal or plant that you see every day, and what do you think of it? Do you like it?
For me, what I enjoy the most is being surrounded by rain trees. I always admire the mazes created by those long branches and the big ferns falling randomly from it.
Do you have any stories or comments from when you were painting the mural?
It was very nice to see the interest from the kids in the neighbourhood. They were eager to paint and participate in the project and I was very happy to give them the opportunity to try to paint with spray cans!
“For me, what I enjoy the most is being surrounded by rain trees. I always admire the mazes created by those long branches and the big ferns falling randomly from it.”
Oak & Bindi
Visual Artist
Tell us who you are and the work you do!
Hi I’m Lydia - I also go by Oak & Bindi as my artist moniker. I have been illustrating and working in the creative field for about 7 years now. I have always enjoyed making nice things and making things look nice - and I am also a very visual person, so I guess being an artist enables me to keep doing that which I love!
Describe a day in your life. What do you look forward to?
Aside from my brand Oak & Bindi, I am also one of the co-founders of Tell Your Children, a creative studio that myself and three friends started 6 years ago. So my full time job is actually running the studio with my partners. Each day is really different for us, some days we inhabit the studio and work on our ideas from there, other days will see us out of the office cracking on a wall mural, which is pretty common for us as it is one of our main creative services.
I look forward to the evening time around 4-5pm because the studio lets loose a little and we start to have a bit of fun to end the work day.
“I think that art truly livens spaces within a community when done right.
When working on this piece, an uncle who lived nearby stopped to check out the piece and thanked us for brightening up the neighbourhood. There were many others who walked by and also shared encouraging words during the process of working on the mural.”
What is the best moment you have experienced as an artist?
The best moments for me are when people enjoy and support the work I do, like seeing someone on the streets in a tee I made or something like that.
What gets you through a tough day?
Plants! And taking small breaks to breathe and just be.
What do you like about the neighbourhood you’re currently working in? Any specific memory or encounter which left behind a good memory?
I love the architectural mix of shophouses, condos, old malls as well as the newer buildings. There was a time where the studio would hold captain’s ball sessions in a random open space next to Katong Swimming complex. Those were fun times!
Give us some recommendations of what to check out around here.
Off the top of my head - Mohgan’s Super Crispy Prata (beside Dunman Food Centre), Song Lang Garden Centre for plants & plant supplies, and By Appointment Only for cool merch! :-)
What is one animal or plant that you see every day, and what do you think of it? Do you like it? Why?
From my current place to the studio, I get to walk down Thiam Siew Avenue where there is an Asplenium nidus (Bird Nest Fern) nestled very safely in a groove of two tree branches, I like seeing it and it makes me happy because it’s almost like a random act of nature that just happened and decided to make a home out of there. Everytime I go by it more plants seem to be making a habitat out of the tree along with the BNF and it’s wonderful seeing nature take its course. There are also two HUGE bird nest ferns at the end of Thiam Siew Avenue, which I marvel at everytime.
What do you think about having art in the neighbourhood? Why is this important? Share with us some of the comments or stories which you received when you are painting?
I think that art truly livens spaces within a community when done right.
When working on this piece, an uncle who lived nearby stopped to check out the piece and thanked us for brightening up the neighbourhood. There were many others who walked by and also shared encouraging words during the process of working on the mural.
Ink & Clog Studio®
Visual Artists
Tell us who you are!
Ink and Clog Studio® was formed in 2012 through the emergence of two individuals, Inkten and Clogtwo, a graphic designer and illustrator respectively. With two different styles merging as one in the world of Graffiti art, they have developed the movement called the Geo-Graffiti. Since then, they have made iconic murals across the globe, London, Paris, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, United States, Hong Kong and other part of South East Asia Region. Their style revolves around the concept of geometric abstractions and cubism.
Describe the work you all do at the studio?
In the studio, we are constantly revisiting our works, practicing and trying to innovate our craft into bringing it to the next level. From traditional medium to digital virtual reality art works. Seeing art as an overall visual bridge.
What is the best moment you have experienced as an artist?
The best experience as artists, is to be able to connect and understand people, locally and internationally, through the visual language.
What gets you through a tough day?
Our cats and a good cup of coffee.
What do you like about the neighbourhood you’re currently working in?
The culture and homely environment. Able to create a connection with the public while working on the piece, has made creating art a more rewarding and deeper experience for us.
What is your favourite spot/thing/area in your neighbourhood? Tell us more about it!
Our favourite area would be the wide choice of foods available. It resembles so much about the ethnics and how everyone can share a conversation over a meal.
What is one animal or plant that you see every day, and what do you think of it? Do you like it? Why?
The cats that inhabit the neighbourhood. They give the place a sense of life and breath in the city. They are the true natives, met every single visitor and explored every corner of the alley.
What do you think about having art in the neighbourhood? Why is this important?
Art is our subconscious’ escape place. The importance of having pieces of art around the neighbourhood, is to create a conversation with the public, nurturing the society to create stories and dialogues with others or with themselves. Art is where your mind can move and breathe freely.
"Art is our subconscious’ escape place. The importance of having pieces of art around the neighbourhood, is to create a conversation with the public, nurturing the society to create stories and dialogues with others or with themselves. Art is where your mind can move and breathe freely."
Mepi
Photographer / Coffee Enthusiast / Homemaker
How long have you been living in Kallang area?
5 years since July 2015.
As a resident of Kallang, what do you love most about your neighbourhood?
The Geylang Park Connector Network.
Tell us more about the fantastic cycling route that you take!
I start at the Geylang Park Connecter (PCN) from Guillemard Road. After the underpass at Dakota MRT station, take the left bank of the river (there are a lot more trees and parrots) the PCN connects to Bay East Garden; I either continue cycling towards Marina Barrage or East coast park for a longer ride :)
What do you hope to see more of in your neighbourhood? Why?
Green spaces and trees! Before they built the Dakota Breeze HDB estate, the area between Kong Hwa School and Dakota MRT Station was a big green park with many Rain Trees. I understand that the area needs to be developed, but I really miss the beautiful park.
What is one animal or plant that you see every day, and what do you think of it? Do you like it? Why?
We have a couple of yellow vented bulbuls visiting our balcony every day. I think they feel comfortable in our little garden; we have pinwheel jasmine and edible plants like tomatoes, sweet chili, etc.
They live in the big tree opposite our balcony with other birds like mynahs and koels. But, I like the yellow vented bulbul the most because they are gentle and cute :-)
Do you think that there is enough space for nature in the neighbourhood? Why or why not?
Honestly I think it’s not enough. We are lucky to live near the park but if we go to the north of the neighbourhood, there are only shophouses and markets, and no green spaces.
Any other words or thoughts you wish to share with your fellow neighbours?
I love our neighbourhood! It is a charming mix of the old and new, and shophouses and residential areas. Also, Guillemard Road goes directly to the CMD, so it’s a very convenient location.
Lastly, please keep your home clean, organized and have little plants. A beautiful neighborhood starts from our own homes! :-))
Mepi’s Gallery
