As street art gains ground in Singapore, who gets to decide what belongs in public spaces?

Veteran visual artist and art educator Mohammed Zulkarnaen Othman has had about 20 years of experience in the visual arts both in Singapore and overseas.

He specialises in art with graffiti-like aesthetics, and over the years he's seen how Singapore's street art scene has flourished with murals and artwork now colouring the once-bare walls of the island's streetscape.

Yet, even today, he still receives the occasional negative remark while executing his works.

"I was spray painting a mural in a school, when a primary school student asked me if I was vandalising the wall," the 40-year-old said, describing an incident that occurred a few weeks ago.

Mr Zulkarnaen said the interaction – far from the first time he's received such a comment – reflects how public attitudes in Singapore towards street art are still rather narrow-minded, with passers-by more likely to view graffiti art and murals with suspicion than appreciation.

A recent incident showed the same tension at play: Last month, a temporary drawing that power-washing artist Marcus Pang was creating on a pavement outside Mountbatten MRT station was removed following a complaint from a member of the public .

The public debate that followed carries echoes of a 2024 controversy over a mural of a samsui woman smoking a cigarette. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) initially ordered the removal of the cigarette from the drawing, reportedly following feedback from a member of the public.

While the authorities later revised their stance and allowed the mural to remain intact after taking in diverse views from across Singapore, the building owner was fined S$2,000 for going ahead with the artwork without prior approval.

Sometimes, street art is removed simply because it contravenes Singapore's rules around where such artwork can be placed. Earlier this year, URA ordered the removal of a batik mural commissioned by a shop owner at 59 Arab Street, saying that with the exception of those on Haji Lane, murals are not allowed on the front facades of conserved shophouses.

This is because the artwork might obscure key architectural and heritage features, and affect the established character and ambience of the historic district.

Street performers say they, too, sometimes, clash with the public.

Mr Evan Goh, 39, who busks a few times a week, has gone viral several times in recent years after being harassed by passersby who were unhappy with his performance or his repertoire of songs. One of them even took back the tip he had given the street musician.

Art practitioners and observers who spoke to CNA TODAY said these incidents show how even as visual and performance arts populate more spaces in public today, Singapore still has some way to go in fully embracing street art.

The authorities have opened up more spaces for such art, with the proliferation of buskers in public spaces and murals in heritage areas being obvious examples, and more businesses are commissioning street art, too.

Nonetheless, Singapore's approach to such art is carefully curated, they said, which in turn has shaped public perception towards it, making people more cautious and sceptical towards spontaneous expressions of creativity in their environments.

They contrasted the recent reactions towards such art here with the warmer reception they have received in cities elsewhere, from Covent Garden in London, United Kingdom, to the Bukit Bintang crossing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For authorities in Singapore, where cleanliness is a prized virtue, the management of street art poses a tough balancing act – when artistic freedom and vibrancy butts up against the need for order, what should give way?

Mr Zulkarnaen Othman in his studio at Aliwal Arts Centre on Jun 17, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Mak Jia Kee)

MORE STREET ART AROUND, BUT WHERE'S THE EDGINESS?

Even as Singapore has maintained its strict stance against vandalism and public nuisance, it has over the years made moves to embrace street art in its own way.

Artists and observers noted that commissioned murals are becoming more prevalent in public spaces all over the island.

One of the most notable platforms for such artwork is the Art in Transit programme, overseen by the Land Transport Authority and billed as "Singapore's largest public art showcase".

Launched along the North-East Line in 1997, it has expanded across all rail networks, with more than 500 artworks contributed by commissioned artists and through programme partners.

The National Arts Council (NAC) collaborates with artists, venue owners and public agencies to promote art in public spaces, including supporting community-led art projects.

In response to CNA TODAY's queries, the council said: "Together, these efforts make it easier for Singaporeans to encounter and appreciate the arts first-hand, while fostering greater community engagement and interaction, and giving artists more opportunities to reach new audiences."

There is no centralised authority issuing permits for wall or…