Government Order on Singapore Mural Prompts Censorship Fears

A government directive concerning a mural in Singapore’s Chinatown has stirred worries about the potential censorship of street art in the city.

The Mural and Its Significance

The mural in question, created by Singapore-based multidisciplinary artist Sean Dunston, 50, represents a Samsui woman holding a lit cigarette. Samsui women were young Chinese immigrants who moved to Singapore in the 1920s and 1940s to seek employment in industrial sectors. The mural, completed in April, highlights a piece of Singapore’s historical tapestry.

Government Intervention

On May 8, Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) informed the building’s landlord that the mural did not "align with Singapore’s anti-smoking policy stance." Further communication on June 18 included feedback from an anonymous member of the public, who found the depiction "offensive" and suggested the woman looked "more like a prostitute than a hard-working Samsui woman."

URA's Directive

The URA asked for a "revised proposal" of the artwork by July 3 and warned that non-compliance might influence the renewal of the building’s temporary restaurant permit, set to expire on July 27.

Public and Artist Reactions

The Straits Times was the first to report on the URA's emails concerning the mural. Dunston, an American who has resided in Singapore since 2009, shared these emails on Instagram on June 19. Addressing the criticisms, he defended sex workers as hard-working individuals deserving respect and expressed satisfaction if his depiction elicited a strong reaction. He intended the mural to portray the Samsui woman in a youthful, relaxed moment, diverging from traditional representations.

Historical Context and Media Coverage

According to the South China Morning Post, Samsui women often smoked cigars post-labor, sometimes storing them in their distinctive red headscarves. Dunston’s mural is situated in an area historically connected to these women.

Artist’s Response to the Viral Attention

ARTnews reached out to Dunston via Instagram. The artist later posted about the overwhelming public reaction to the URA’s directive, describing the experience as surreal and taxing due to the extensive scrutiny his work was receiving.

Dunston’s mural and the ensuing controversy highlight the tension between artistic expression and regulatory policies in Singapore, raising questions about the future landscape of street art in the city.