Colorful giraffe sculptures urge Singaporeans to reflect on inclusion and collective action
Public spaces across Singapore are about to take on a more meaningful role, blending art, reflection, and civic responsibility into everyday moments of rest.
GiraffeSG@Central Brings Art Into Public Spaces
Six artist-designed benches featuring vibrant giraffe sculptures will be installed across Central Singapore starting January 28 under the GiraffeSG@Central campaign by the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC). The initiative encourages the public to reflect on inclusion, care, and collective action through the symbolic act of “sticking one’s neck out” for others.
Collaboration Between Artists and Institutions
The sculptures were created by alumni and artists from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), in collaboration with Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC). Each bench functions both as a public seating space and a thought-provoking art installation, inviting everyday interaction and reflection in high-traffic urban areas.
Johnny Lau’s Message of Collective Good
One of the featured works, Do Good Together, was created by Singaporean artist Johnny Lau, widely known for the Mr Kiasu comic series. The giraffe sculpture incorporates familiar visual motifs inspired by the comic character, reinforcing the idea that positive social change is most effective when individuals act together.
Seeing Beyond the Individual Perspective
Another prominent piece, Transcendental Vision by sculptor Yeo Chee Kiong, depicts a multi-eyed giraffe extending its head through the clouds. Displayed at the National Gallery Singapore, the artwork symbolizes the importance of collective vision. Yeo explained that the multiple eyes represent how shared perspectives can create a fuller understanding of the world beyond individual limitations.
Kopitiam Culture as a Symbol of Connection
Drawing inspiration from traditional coffee shops, artists Nur Iman and Diamond Nabilah Misson created Kopi Time. The giraffe bench features Peranakan tiles, condensed milk tins, and worn wooden textures, evoking the atmosphere of local kopitiam culture. The artists described coffee shops as safe communal spaces where people of all ages come together to share ideas, concerns, and support.
Honoring Memory, Care, and Everyday Stories
The duo spent five months crafting Kopi Time and hope the work will resonate particularly with older audiences by rekindling memories of connection and care formed in neighborhood coffee shops. The sculpture encourages intergenerational storytelling through its symbols and patterns.
Official Launch and Citywide Installation
The giraffe benches were officially launched on January 27 at the NAFA campus in Bugis by Central Singapore Mayor Denise Phua. She emphasized that the installations are meant to serve as enduring reminders that every individual has the power to contribute to the common good through small acts of kindness. The benches will be installed at Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, One Holland Village, Suntec City, UOB Plaza, and VivoCity.
By transforming everyday urban spaces into platforms for reflection and dialogue, the GiraffeSG@Central campaign highlights how art can shape social values. The initiative reinforces shared responsibility and compassion, strengthening community ties in a city deeply connected to both Indonesian and Singaporean audiences through culture, mobility, and regional exchange.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Central Singapore (2026)
Keywords: GiraffeSG, Central Singapore CDC, Public Art Singapore, Community Inclusion, Social Responsibility
