A Particular Place: Mapping memories in Kampong Glam

Mapping Memories in Kampong Glam

Imagine Kampong Glam, not just as a place, but as a living canvas of shared stories. That’s the essence of A Particular Place. In the heart of this historic district within Singapore, where the past whispers from every shophouse and alleyway, a vibrant mural has bloomed, woven from the collective memories of its residents.

Kampong Glam has always been a convergence point where cultures, histories and stories intertwine. Artists Akai Chew, Leonard Yang and Leow Weili tapped into this rich heritage to create A Particular Place, a community-driven mural at 45 & 47 Sultan Gate that reimagines the past and celebrates the present.

Supported by the Lively Places Fund and Archifest Singapore 2023, the artists envisioned a space to transform a public wall into a canvas of shared memories and historical reflections. Archifest, as a platform, helped to connect the artists and the community.

'A Particular Place' at Kampong Glam, 45 & 47 Sultan Gate. Photo credit: Singapore Archifest 2023 Curatorial Team

Reimagining history through art

Archifest Singapore 2023 festival director Calvin Chua, who curated the project, saw A Particular Place as a vibrant platform for collaboration. The artist trio seized the opportunity to weave Kampong Glam's evolving identity into a visual narrative. "Kampong Glam’s history intrigued us," they explain, "and we aimed to visually represent its rich past and vibrant present." They envisioned a mural that would serve as a living community map, inviting residents to contribute their personal memories and stories, while also guiding visitors through the neighbourhood.

An old image of Sultan Gate , Photo credit: Akai Chew

Akai began the journey by delving into Kampong Glam’s past with the help of AI, reimagining archival images into new landscapes. For example, old black-and-white photos were transformed into coloured scenes, revealing alternative versions of the historic streetscape. With Leonard’s painted depictions of iconic sites like the gold dome of Sultan Mosque and Weili’s unique perspective as a mixed media artist, the foundation of A Particular Place was created.

A collective process

Bringing the artwork to life was as much about community engagement as it was about creativity. “We worked with Archifest and URA, who helped connect us with the Kampong Glam association. We also had the support of friends and their networks and engaged the community through social media.”

Volunteers and passerby adding their piece during co-creation sessions Photo credit: Singapore Archifest 2023 Curatorial Team.

Over two vibrant weekends, volunteers brought the mural to life, as passersby and even a visiting Indonesian artist transformed their sketches and cherished memories into colourful strokes on the wall.

A close-up of contributions from community members painted on the wall.

Working within the conservation guidelines of the site posed a unique challenge. "Because we were painting on the walls of a heritage shophouse, we had to use a specific type of mineral conservation paint with a muted palette,” Akai explains. Despite these limitations, the team carefully chose colours to brighten the space while respecting its historical significance.

Shared stories and shared spaces

Beyond adding colour to the streetscape, the mural was designed to spark conversations and strengthen the community’s connection to Kampong Glam. Locals and visitors alike have paused to take in the familiar scenes depicted, often sharing their own memories of the area. Akai recalls a special moment when an elderly resident pointed to a painted shophouse and began sharing stories of her childhood there, sparking a lively conversation with passersby.

When asked how they envision the artwork contributing to the vibrancy and identity of the public space where it is located, Akai shares, “The most rewarding part is seeing the community recognise familiar scenes in the artwork! We hope it inspires pride, connection and a celebration of Kampong Glam’s vibrant heritage.”

Another behind-the-scenes look at the process of ‘A Particular Place, where contributors work on the wall together. Photo credit: Singapore Archifest 2023 Curatorial Team.

The team shared that a key takeaway from this experience is the importance of cultivating strong community partnerships, “Engaging with a wide range of community members, including neighbourhood uncles and aunties, can help shape a project that truly resonates with the space and its people.”

A Particular Place is a testament to the power of collaboration, storytelling, and place-making – art really can bring communities together in unexpected ways! 

_{The project is part of the Lively Places Programme, a joint initiative by Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB), together with the National Arts Council (NAC), to support community-led efforts in enlivening Singapore’s public spaces–fostering a #DistinctiveCity by encouraging co-creation between artists and community stakeholders.}