SINGAPORE \u2013 A piece of unsanctioned art in Mountbatten that was recently removed by public transport operator SMRT raises questions about artistic creativity, free expression and rules governing shared spaces, said MP Gho Sze Kee.<\/p>\n
The incident has gained attention online since the artist behind the work, Marcus Pang, posted about it on social media platform Instagram on June 5.<\/p>\n
Pang, who is in his early 20s and known for creating power-washing drawings on walkways around Marine Parade, said he was working on a new piece on a pavement outside Mountbatten MRT station on May 31 when he was stopped by SMRT staff.<\/p>\n
A person had allegedly complained that Pang was \u201cspraying chemicals onto the grass\u201d, said the artist.<\/p>\n
Pang clarified that he was using collected rainwater to create the visual, adding that the smell of petrol from his pressure washer may have caused the mistaken impression.<\/p>\n
Power washing, or reverse graffiti, is a technique where dirty surfaces are turned into works of art with a water jet.<\/p>\n
Pang said that SMRT staff detained him for not having a permit to create his artwork, although he said he \u201cdid not require one\u201d.<\/p>\n
The police were later called in to take his statement, but told Pang \u201cno wrong was done\u201d and he could continue his work. They recommended that he get a letter of endorsement from an MP or a busking permit to avoid similar situations.<\/p>\n
When the artist returned to the site the next day to complete his artwork, he discovered that it had been \u201cwhitewashed\u201d \u2013 the section of pavement he had been working on had been power-washed, removing his work.<\/p>\n
Gho, who is the MP for Mountbatten, said in a Facebook post on June 7 that some residents had contacted her about the incident, and that she had sought more information from SMRT and the police.<\/p>\n
She clarified that the area around the station was under SMRT, which had cleaned off Pang\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident stirs up larger questions for our society. There will always be tension between artistic creativity, free expression and the rules that hold our shared spaces together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all live on a small island together, and the rules exist for reasons, even when the reasons can sometimes feel heavy-handed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much room do we make for spontaneous beauty? How should we weigh between those who are delighted against those who are not? In this instance, between those who see art and those who see graffiti?\u201d<\/p>\n
These were not easy questions, and the \u201cbest way for now is (for artists) to work with us\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n
Gho added that she had seen Pang\u2019s artwork before, including a piece in Mountbatten to commemorate Hari Raya, which she thought was a nice touch to the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the budding artists out there, if you too have an idea for art in our neighbourhood, please do feel free to reach out to me,\u201d she said, adding that she had asked a grassroots leader, who chairs the area\u2019s arts interest group, to reach out to Pang.<\/p>\n
In a comment on Pang\u2019s Instagram post, SMRT said it was \u201cflattered\u201d that the artist had chosen the pavement outside its MRT station to display his work.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs enthusiastic supporters of the arts, we\u2019d love to chat about collaborating on something with a longer run,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh showed support for Pang\u2019s artwork in an Instagram comment, saying: \u201cPlease come and give us a recce!<\/p>\n
\u201cI have already gotten support from my town council. Let\u2019s find a good site!\u201d<\/p>\n
Sengkang GRC MP Jamus Lim also invited Pang to create a piece, saying: \u201cCome do it in Sengkang!\u201d<\/p>\n
The local artist has found more fans in other social media users as well. His post had chalked up more than 73,000 likes and at least 2,000 comments at the time of writing.<\/p>\n
Instagram user ozteopath said: \u201cI, for one, love what you do and it would definitely bring a smile upon my face if I walked this route daily!\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: The Straits Times \u00a9 SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction<\/a><\/p>\n