“Marking Punggol” Exhibition Turns Volunteer Work into Cultural Currency

Singapore’s evolving arts scene takes a meaningful turn with the launch of Marking Punggol, a groundbreaking public exhibition by OH! Open House in collaboration with Thai contemporary artist Mit Jai Inn. Opening on 14 March 2026 at The Cove at Punggol Waterway Point, the exhibition introduces a unique concept: replacing money with community service as a form of cultural currency.

Art That Must Be Earned, Not Bought

At the heart of Marking Punggol is a collection of 99 vibrant papier-mâché sculptures, inspired by the simple form of a household stool and reimagined through Mit Jai Inn’s signature bold color palette. Unlike traditional art pieces, these works cannot be purchased. Instead, members of the public must “earn” them by committing time to volunteer work.

Participants can pledge 80 hours for a small sculpture, 100 hours for a medium piece, or 300 hours for a large one. Volunteer service will take place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, encouraging sustained engagement with community initiatives.

Supporting Local Causes Through Art

Volunteers can contribute their time to a curated list of Punggol-based organizations or choose their own local causes. Partner groups include Heritage Activation Node at Punggol (HAN@Punggol), Blood Bank @ One Punggol, Enabling Services Hub @ Punggol, and SG Care Services @ Punggol by Allkin Singapore.

By tying art ownership to volunteerism, the project reframes collecting as an act of civic contribution, where each sculpture represents hours spent giving back to the community.

A Social Experiment in a Growing Town

Set in one of Singapore’s youngest neighborhoods, Punggol, the exhibition serves as both an artistic showcase and a social experiment. It aims to embed civic participation into everyday life, turning art into a tangible symbol of shared responsibility and care.

The initiative builds on the success of its predecessor, Marking Matters? (2024), which mobilized volunteers to contribute 10,000 hours to various causes. This latest edition hopes to replicate that impact, with a similar target focused specifically on Punggol-based organizations.

Exhibition Details and Participation

Marking Punggol runs from 14 to 29 March 2026 at The Cove, Punggol Waterway Point, with free admission and no registration required. Visitors can explore the sculptures, learn about participating organizations, and make their volunteer pledges on-site.

Those interested in claiming a sculpture are encouraged to attend a participant briefing on 29 March 2026, from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at the same venue, where they will receive guidance on the pledge process and next steps.

The exhibition coincides with the HAN@Punggol Open House, celebrating the first anniversary of the Heritage Activation Node at Punggol, a joint initiative with the National Heritage Board, and reflects a broader effort to foster community identity through art.