Graffiti artist wins national honour

It's an art form usually associated with vandalism.

But Mr Mohammed Zulkarnaen Othman, 34, yesterday became the first graffiti artist here to receive a national honour - the Young Artist Award.

Awarded by the National Arts Council (NAC), it is Singapore's highest recognition for young arts practitioners.

The full-time urban artist, also known as Zero, received the award from the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong.

Said Zero: "There is still a lot of discussion on the status of graffiti and there isn't a clear definition to describe what it means even till this day. I am just glad that I get a chance to represent the graffiti and street art community."

Zero has an honours degree in fine arts from the Lasalle College of the Arts and has been on the local graffiti art scene for over a decade.

"It is in every city in this world and it is for the public, for the environment,"

said Zero, who said he loves street art because it is "raw and real".

When he started out, he would dig through dumpsters for items like photo frames, crates, oil barrels and even lights from construction sites to create art.

Over the years, he has spray-painted murals and walls at the skate parks next to the Somerset MRT station.

His inspiration comes from the print media.

In 2007, he started the local urban art collective RSCLS (pronounced Rascals), known for its slick and edgy artwork.

It has contributed murals to the Elgin Bridge Pass B and The Riverwalk building in Clarke Quay.

Zero has been actively promoting street art through talks, workshops and mentorship programmes.

In 2008, he was one of eight Singaporean artists commissioned by British international affairs magazine The Economist to create pieces for its exhibition, Artistic Expression Of The World.

Exhibition

In March, Zero curated the grafitti art exhibition at the largest urban street festival here, exhibiting the graffiti artwork by more than 30 local artists.

On his win, he said: "Each of us has very different disciplines and artistic practices and I am happy that this diversity is being celebrated."

NAC's deputy chief executive officer Yvonne Tham said: "We recognise the outstanding work of our Young Artist Award recipients and trust that this award will further fuel their artistic trajectory and break new ground."

Graffiti art will be displayed on the Chapel Gallery of Sculpture Square from Friday.

FYI

WHAT: Ghost: The Body at the Turn of the Century

WHEN: Oct 25 to Dec 31, 11am to 7pm, closed on Mondays

WHERE: Sculpture Square, 155 Middle Road

ADMISSION: Free

bang@sph.com.sg

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