Public art can take various forms, from 2D wall murals and 3D sculptures to performative and ephemeral manifestations of an artist's creative process.
More importantly, the conception and premise of the artwork is rooted deeply in the public sphere, where it is widely visible and freely accessible to all.
Browse Singapore’s public art below or conduct a search by location or collection.
THE MELTING POT
Material: BronzeLocation: Indian Heritage Centre Duration: Permanent Collection: Others Dimensions: 1.8m x 1.0m x 1.0m
“The form of this sculpture unfolds images, recognisable motifs, and symbols, and speaks of the heritage of South Asian migrant communities that travelled to Malaya and Singapore. Simple yet profound, the artwork represents a confluence, a cultural ‘melting pot’ of peoples from the region who put down their roots in time called it ‘home’.” – Kumari Nahappan
This sculpture is inspired by the kudam (Tamil: water pot) used for collecting water in South India. While the flowing lines represent ideas and trade networks, the rings of symbols allude to the cultural associations of the South Asian communities that migrated to Singapore.
The kudam is also a reference to the design of Indian Heritage Centre’s façade, which is inspired by the architecture of step-wells or baolis – a place of water collection and meeting for the community. It also symbolises creative energy, germination of ideas, and the meeting of diverse people and perspectives.
