SINGAPORE – 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.
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.
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.
A person had allegedly complained that Pang was “spraying chemicals onto the grass”, said the artist.
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.
Power washing, or reverse graffiti, is a technique where dirty surfaces are turned into works of art with a water jet.
Pang said that SMRT staff detained him for not having a permit to create his artwork, although he said he “did not require one”.
The police were later called in to take his statement, but told Pang “no wrong was done” 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.
When the artist returned to the site the next day to complete his artwork, he discovered that it had been “whitewashed” – the section of pavement he had been working on had been power-washed, removing his work.
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