GiraffeSG@Central Turns Public Art into a Platform for Community Good

GiraffeSG@Central is bringing the spirit of “doing good” into everyday life through a new public art initiative that blends creativity, community, and civic action. Spearheaded by the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC), the project will unveil six uniquely designed GiraffeSG statue-benches, co-created with alumni artists from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

The functional art pieces are the result of collaborations with prominent local creatives, including illustrator Johnny Lau (Mr Kiasu), award-winning sculptor Yeo Chee Kiong, batik artist Kamal Dollah, and other NAFA alumni artists. Designed as both sculptures and seating spaces, the statue-benches transform everyday public spaces into places for reflection, connection, and community engagement.

Art Inspired by the Forward Singapore Vision

GiraffeSG@Central supports the national Forward Singapore vision by encouraging residents to practise kindness and civic responsibility in simple, practical ways. Inspired by the giraffe’s distinctive trait of “sticking its neck out”, the movement symbolises the courage to step forward for the common good. It reflects a broader aspiration to build a more caring, “We-First” society, a vision also championed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Each statue-bench is inspired by themes of care, inclusion, and collective action, encouraging people to “stand tall” through small everyday acts of kindness. By placing art directly into shared community spaces, the initiative reimagines how public art can inspire social responsibility in daily life.

Launch at NAFA and Community-Wide Installation

The statue-benches will be officially launched at NAFA as part of a new collaboration between Central Singapore CDC and the arts institution. The launch will be officiated by Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District, together with participating artists and community partners.

Following the launch, the GiraffeSG statue-benches will be installed at key locations across Central Singapore, including:

• Gardens by the Bay
• National Gallery Singapore
• One Holland Village
• Suntec City
• UOB Plaza
• VivoCity

These high-traffic venues were selected to engage commuters, families, and residents, transforming everyday routines into opportunities for reflection, generosity, and community action. Visitors are encouraged to pause, interact with the artworks, and take meaningful steps such as volunteering or donating to community causes.

Stories of Care Woven into Art

This project marks the first creative collaboration between Central Singapore CDC and NAFA, developed through NAFA’s practice-based learning approach. Each statue-bench offers a distinct interpretation of shared responsibility and social care.

Several works draw deeply from personal and community stories:

• Johnny Lau (Mr Kiasu) highlights the idea that every small act of kindness matters.
• Kamal Dollah, working with his son Budiman, who is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal, celebrates diverse expressions of care and connection.
• Koh Kai Ting and Ang Zhi Yan collaborated with primary school children to explore empathy and curiosity across generations.
• Loi Cai Xiang reflects community interconnectedness through themes of nature and nostalgia.
• Nur Iman and Diamond Nabilah Misson draw inspiration from the quiet gestures of care found in Singapore’s kopi stall culture.
• Yeo Chee Kiong invites reflection on extending compassion beyond familiar circles to the wider community.

Turning Everyday Moments into Acts of Good

More than just public artworks, the GiraffeSG statue-benches are designed to be lived with: as places to rest, meet, reflect, and connect. By integrating art into daily routines, GiraffeSG@Central transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for kindness, awareness, and action.