Categories: FeaturedGeneral

“Trainforest” Artwork Unveiled at Kembangan MRT, Marking Expansion of Art Under Viaduct Spaces

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs; Artists Nur Aida Sa’ad and Nur Aisha Sa’ad; Towner Gardens School students: Pang Yu Hen, Justin; Izzul Sahil B Aliansa; Alayna Zaara Binte Abdul Matiin; Muhammad Fathul Iman B Abdullah; Haffaz Bin Hidayat; Mohammed Faiz Bin Talsim; Thea Quek Hui Xin; Long Ji Rui; Husain B Muhammad Ridzwan; Rishiksudharashan Raja; Aidan Bin Azrian; Nur Muhammad Darwish B Mohammad Ridzwan; Ms Suzana Soo, Principal, Towner Gardens School; Ms Grace Ng, Group Director (Corporate Development), National Arts Council (NAC); Sam Lay, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Engagement, NAC; Ms Elynn Han, Director, Community Partnership (South), Land Transport Authority; Mr Teo Wee Kiat, Line Head, North-South East-West Line, SMRT Trains; Mr Lim Meng Teck, Deputy Director, Station Operations, North-South East-West Line, SMRT Trains; Mr Dave Ong, Head, Commuter & Community Engagement, SMRT Trains; at unveiling of “Trainforest” at Kembangan MRT viaduct.

Singapore’s urban landscape has welcomed a vibrant new splash of creativity with the launch of “Trainforest,” a large-scale community-driven art installation at Kembangan MRT station. Unveiled by the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the artwork transforms 13 MRT viaduct pillars into a colourful public canvas celebrating inclusion, creativity, and community spirit.

The project, managed by The Block A Collective, was co-created by local artists in collaboration with 12 students from MINDS Towner Gardens School (TGS), showcasing artistic expression across diverse abilities.

The installation was officially launched by Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, alongside the artists, student contributors, and representatives from NAC, LTA, and TGS.

This marks the first expansion of the Art Under Viaduct Spaces (AUVS) initiative since its debut project, A Living Museum for Bukit Gombak, introduced during Singapore Art Week 2025.

A Celebration of Inclusion and Creativity

“Trainforest” is a joyful fusion of imagination and nature, co-created by local artists Nur Aida Sa’ad (Yellow Mushmellow) and Nur Aisha Sa’ad (Catbee), together with students aged 10 to 15 from the Kembangan community.

Inspired by the meaning of Kembangan, “to bloom”, each viaduct pillar features colourful motifs of flowers, animals, and character illustrations. Many of these elements were directly adapted from the students’ original drawings, giving the artwork a heartfelt, collaborative identity.

The installation contrasts the fast pace of city commuting with calming imagery from nature, turning a once-overlooked MRT space into a celebration of neighbourhood vibrancy, diversity, and artistic potential.

Expanding Singapore’s Creative Public Spaces

With “Trainforest,” the Art Under Viaduct Spaces initiative continues its mission of transforming utilitarian infrastructure into accessible creative zones that bring art closer to everyday life.

The Kembangan installation reinforces NAC and LTA’s commitment to fostering inclusive artistic participation, expanding Singapore’s public art footprint, and empowering communities to co-create the spaces they live in.

Irone Kim