'I almost couldn't believe it': Exchange student leaves his mark on NTU's legal graffiti wall

When Norwegian exchange student Marcus Olnes first arrived at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), he wasn't expecting to find something that reminded him of home: a place where graffiti artists could legally pick up a spray can and create.

Olnes, 21, is studying Business and Computing at NTU for a semester.

After arriving on Aug 3, the budding graffiti artist decided that he wanted to find somewhere he could legally spray paint in Singapore.

As he was exploring NTU's campus after class one day, he spotted a wall covered in spray paint.

Upon closer inspection, he found a sign that read: "Spray Paint Area".

@asiaone Marcus Ølnes, 21, who is on an exchange semester at NTU, also does commissions back home, making custom graffiti pieces, logo designs and conducting workshops. #sgnews #Singapore #Graffiti #Art ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Olnes told AsiaOne that he could not believe what he saw.

"I was really surprised NTU had a wall dedicated to spray painting, considering Singapore's strict stance on graffiti," he said.

Under Singapore's Vandalism Act, writing, drawing or painting on public or private property without written authority or the owner's consent may constitute an offence.

Wanting to be sure the wall was an authorised space for spray painting, Olnes sought clarification before starting work on his piece.

He first posed a question about it on the NTU subreddit. However, after most students were unable to answer his question, he approached the School of Art, Design and Media's office directly.

There, staff confirmed that painting on the wall was permitted.

"They reassured me that it was okay to paint, so I went through with it!" said Olnes.

A spokesperson from NTU's School of Art, Design and Media told AsiaOne that the wall is a dedicated space for students to create wall art or grafitti.

The spokesperson added that it provides art students with an opportunity to practise their wall art techniques and experiment with new forms in legal and safe ways, allowing them to explore innovative approaches.

Passion for spray painting

Olnes told AsiaOne that he had initially planned on spray painting a wall at Somerset Skate Park, one of the few areas where it is legal to spray paint in Singapore. 

However, he decided it was more convenient to start with the wall in NTU since he lived on campus.

The exchange student considers himself a graffiti artist, since 2020. He added that he has been drawing and sketching graffiti letters and characters since he was a kid.

He runs a sole proprietorship in Norway and takes on several commissioned gigs related to his art each year, including creating custom graffiti pieces, logo design and conducting workshops.

"However, I’m currently not in a position to make this my full time career at the moment," said Olnes.

Leaving his mark

Olnes took about two hours to complete his work of art in NTU on Sunday.

His work features his tag, also known as his signature in graffiti, in a bubble-lettering style and the words: "Oslo to Singapore!".

He uploaded his completed piece onto the NTU subreddit on the same day and Redditors have commended his artwork.

One user said that it was "fire" while another commented: "Lovely work man, happy to have your awesome work there."

Olnes also posted his work on his Instagram account, marcitospray, on Sept 13 with the caption: "Leaving my mark on Singapore".

He told AsiaOne that this was his first graffiti piece in Singapore and that he has "more plans to paint".

"I have discovered a few more legal spots to paint on here in Singapore, so I almost feel obliged to do so during my time here!" said Olnes.

He still hopes paint at Somerset Skate Park and he added that he found another wall in NTU to spray paint called fREe roam art @ Hall 8.

"It seems like no one has painted here in a long time, but I'm hoping to change that soon!" he said. 

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laili.abdeen@asiaone.com