The Comma Arts Festival returns, illuminating Somerset with an interactive live-theatre experience. The Greater Somerset Simulation: Somerset Threads Live Theatrical Experience, created by Strawberries Inc., takes you on a guided walk through Somerset, bringing murals by artists like ANTZ and Eunice Hannah Lim to life.
Inspired by the area's rich history, this experience delves into the theme of 'coming-of-age' through immersive storytelling, gamified elements, and interactive exploration. It offers a unique and unforgettable way to engage with art and community.
Ling and Singh, representatives from a mysterious external non-government agency, have just one question for you - how can Somerset become the coolest district? Dripping with civil servant charisma, they invite you to step into The Greater Somerset Simulation.
Join them on a moonlit journey through Somerset, where street art comes to life, and interactive experiences like the BTO Auction War await. As you explore, witness the duo navigate their own differences in a playful yet thought-provoking adventure that blends art, games, and immersive storytelling.
Eunice Hannah Lim, also known as “1 is E.nuf” (b.1992, Singapore), is an artist inspired by documented narratives and our navigation through constructed spaces. Utilizing a myriad of mediums such as drawing, painting, street murals and assemblages, she crafts new shared experiences according to each unique location.
Her work explores themes of history, placemaking, and community interactions with landscapes, reimagining how we connect with our surroundings today. Some of her notable public art murals in Singapore are: Cattleland, Book-A-Meeting, Folding Dreams and Gen XYZ. She uses the vibrancy of colors to convey culture and hopefully, a new layer of awareness to the place.
Flash-C captures the dynamic energy of Orchard Somerset, reflecting the interplay between environmental forces and human identities, showcasing the confluence of water, heritage, and self-expression. They echo the transitory yet powerful nature of “flash” phenomena—both in physical events and cultural movements; drawing inspiration from the flash floods in Orchard and “sub-culture kids”. The crimson sunbird, declared as Singapore’s unofficial national bird, looks at the immersive waves – creating an open-ended prompt about its own belonging and local identity.
Title: working hands NOW and THEN
Venue: Shutter at 111 Somerset facing Devonshire Road
Artist: ANTZ
Mural Assistant: Glenn Ong (GORIS)
ANTZ is renowned for his distinctive style, which merges classical Chinese myths with contemporary urban pop influences. His work has been described as a “juxtaposed-mash,” blending ethnic traditions with international street art aesthetics. With a deep passion for Chinese culture and design, ANTZ has established a strong presence across Southeast Asia, China, North America, and Europe, attracting a diverse and notable clientele.
His artwork, working Hands: NOW and THEN, draws inspiration from Singapore’s 1970s PUB building, incorporating its architectural patterns to reflect the area’s rich heritage. The dripping effect symbolizes the fusion of corporate professionals with the youthful, vibrant energy of today’s Orchard Somerset. Gold accents and bold colors further enhance the visual contrast. At the heart of the piece, a lanyard-wearing hand on a skateboard captures the dynamic coexistence of office workers, skate park enthusiasts, and Orchard Road shoppers, celebrating the district’s ever-evolving spirit.
Title: Tan Sri P Ramlee, The Multi-Talented
Venue: Somerset Youth Park, The Red Bus
Artist: Boon Bakes
Mural Assistant: Han (KidKaijin)
Boon, also known as Boon Bakes, is a Singaporean visual artist and full-time graffiti muralist. He creates imaginative scenes and cartoon self-portraits of his alter ego, The Mata-Kuyu Man.
Boon has been part of numerous local events, including Singapore Street Fest (2017, 2018) and Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (2020, 2023). His work has also gained international recognition, with invitations to Meeting of Styles in Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as well as Step in the Arena, a renowned graffiti festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands. His artistic skills are showcased in a 70-meter-long mural at Artwalk Little India, and in 2021, his piece The Journey earned a place in the Kampong Glam Hall of Fame, marking a key milestone in his career. Through his art, Boon aims to spread peace and love, using creativity to inspire and connect communities.
The mural - Tan Sri P. Ramlee, The Multi-Talented, honors Tan Sri P. Ramlee, a legendary figure in Singapore’s Malay entertainment industry. An actor, director, composer, and singer, he was instrumental in shaping the golden age of Malay cinema in the 1950s. Located on the very street where a scene from his iconic 1957 comedy Bujang Lapok was filmed, the artwork pays tribute to his lasting influence on Malay art and culture.
Venue: Somerset Youth Park Pavillion
Artist: Victor Emmanuel
Project Manager: Stellah Lim
Video Artist: Marcel Gaspar
Project Assistants: Zul Zaufishan (Zee Fish), Jade (JXDE) & Mina Choo (Soup)
Victor Emmanuel is a Singapore-based artist specializing in painting, having graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts. His work has been featured in major local exhibitions, including Oceanfest ’23 at Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium, You Other; I Another at The Private Museum (2019), A Home for the Arts at The Substation (2016), and Geometry at CANVAS Singapore (2015). Beyond his own artistic practice, Victor collaborates as an expert fabricator, providing technical and creative support to fellow artists.
Project Cheeep is a site-specific installation that explores emotional responses as a measurable aspect of human experience. At its core are handcrafted birds inspired by the common mynahs found in Singapore’s Orchard and Somerset areas. These birds, known for their habit of gathering in the evenings to create a chorus of chatter, serve as a metaphor for collective expression.
The installation reimagines the mynahs' nightly ritual—often chaotic and noisy—as a reflection of how humans process and share daily experiences, whether through conversations, art, or social interactions. Acting as silent witnesses to urban life, the mynahs mirror our routines and emotions, capturing the unnoticed poetry of everyday existence. By incorporating these birds as both visual and symbolic elements, Cheeep highlights the dual nature of city living—balancing solitude and connection, chaos and harmony, individuality and community.
Venue: TRIFECTA
Artist: Tobyato
- The Elements of Board Sports - Representing water, wind, and rock, the artwork symbolizes the three board sports that define TRIFECTA: surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding.
- Creative Flow & Expression - The flowing design of the mural reflects the movement of board sports, evoking the flow state in traditional creative pursuits like art and music.
- A Natural Guide - Following the flow of the artwork brings one through the different sections of TRIFECTA’s space.
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