Long-time readers know that I am a self-declared street-art-hunter.

I wrote about street art in different cities and countries, also about murals and street art in Singapore.

• The ultimate guide to street art in Singapore
• Mural art @Singapore River. Part 3
• Mural art @Singapore River
• Murals around the Substation
• Surrounded by skaters and graffiti

And there is more; type in ‘street art’ and ‘murals’ in the search bar and the relevant articles will show up.

Street art under Social Creatives

The street art by Social Creatives is one-of-a-kind in Singapore. Let me elaborate.

I had seem some murals in town, done under Social Creatives and read about this organization. One day I was invited by Faris Abdulkadir Basharahil (Founder and Director of Social Creatives Ltd ) to undertake a tour with him along many of their projects. It was very interesting to get information about Social Creatives in general and about the different projects. Faris is a well-spoken man with a vision, mission and passion.

What is Social Creatives all about

Faris Basharahil, the founder and director, says about his organization:

“We are not an activist group but we believe in connecting people through peace. We believe in people and not profit.”

and

“We, Social Creatives do Community Art. Art for social change. Art to enhance public perception towards the community. Art for everyone.”

Another quote from him:

“We hope to make Singapore happy through the arts. Do you know what’s the first form of arts? Cave Paintings! The painting on walls are known as Murals. Social Creatives is an non-profit arts enterprise that promote heART in eARTh. We believe that a picture speaks a thousand words. We paint murals anywhere and everywhere. Examples include creating Void-Deck Art Galleries and art at Welfare Organisations such as Institute of Mental Health, Home for the Aged, School for special needs and even directly on the walls of one room flats.”

An idealistic organization that wants to use art in the community, for the community and by the community. To bring happiness, to do good, to achieve change. I’m all for that!

What does Social Creatives do

They have a mix of methods and projects:

• some of their murals are done by designated artists
• other murals are done by volunteers, residents and the public
• they also do corporate and teambuilding projects

Their murals can be found on locations like:

• in/on void-decks of HDB’s
• in/on community buildings
• in one-room flats
• in public spaces

So far Social Creatives has:

- engaged over 19,000 participants
- worked with or assisted 50 VOW’s (Voluntary Welfare Organisations)
- created between 165 murals and 200 murals
- painted 350 needy homes such as one room flats.

Where can you find their murals in Singapore

• Pop-art Gallery - Holland Avenue Blk 8
• Van Gogh Gallery - Blk 56 Pipit Road, Macpherson Void Deck
• Bras Basah Complex - 231 Bain Street #04-11
• Punggol Murals - Blk 174 Edgefield Plains
• Queenstown Murals - Stirling Road
• Void Deck at Gek Poh Ville, Jurong West
• On a facade of Whampoa Ice House, Clarke Quay
• SCWO (Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations) walls - 96 Waterloo Street
• in the underpasses along the Singapore River
• murals outside of Singapore and inside of buildings

So what do you think of Social Creatives, their ideals, projects and art? I find it inspiring and sympathetic.
Some of the art appeals more to me then other, but that’s only normal.
The Van Gogh Void Deck Gallery and the murals around it are just phenomenal, don’t you think?! Won’t you love these murals on the walls around your garden? Or the pink blossom trees filling up a wall in your living room? Wow, that would be so awesome!

I have a mural in my garden in the Netherlands, done by myself. The mural depicts a landscape with sea view in Andalucia. When it’s time to replace it (it is fading), I am thinking of doing one like the blossom trees: intense blue background, tree trunk and lots of pretty pink flowers! I’ll show you the result once it is done.

How about you? Do you have any murals in your house or garden? Would you like to?