To kick off its 130th anniversary celebrations, Lau Pa Sat unveiled collaborations with renowned Singaporean artists today. These included a 10-metre-long heritage mural by visual artist Yip Yew Chong. In addition, there will be a launch of merchandise adorned with captivating watercolor illustrations in collaboration with local illustrator Ah Guo. The works showcase Lau Pa Sat’s rich history, and its evolution as a cherished monument in Singapore over the years.
The unveiling was timed with World Art Day in recognition of the important role that local artists play in preserving Singapore’s heritage and culture. Managed by Kopitiam, a social enterprise under FairPrice Group, Lau Pa Sat has captivated both locals and tourists alike with its wide range of local culinary delights and unique experiences.
Lau Pa Sat also launched a new 130th anniversary logo that pays homage to its rich history in Singapore’s hawker scene, blending imagery of hawker culture with its iconic architecture, including its Victorian cast iron columns, ornate leaves, and octagonal layout. The anniversary logo can be seen around Lau Pa Sat, on staff uniforms and anniversary merchandise.
Lau Pa Sat aims to provide you with unique experiences that fuse all things local, art, and music, with hawker centre dining. Beyond its culinary offerings, Lau Pa Sat serves as a platform to uplift local businesses and the local arts community by showcasing their works. Within its premises, Food Folks features up to 100 local brands, including the popular Fossa Chocolate. Lau Pa Sat’s collaborations with local artists and musicians underscore its commitment to cultural enrichment and meaningful community engagement.
“We believe in the power of art to bring to life stories and memories. We collaborated with Yip Yew Chong and Ah Guo to express Lau Pa Sat’s history and vibrancy through the years in their artwork. We hope that this will spark the community to gather and have conversations around our heritage, food culture and shared experiences in the space,” shared Pauline Png, Director of Customer Innovation and Marketing, Food Services.
Yip Yew Chong’s heritage mural showcases his unique approach of taking viewers on a visual journey through time, with depictions of Lau Pa Sat’s past as the first Telok Ayer Market that opened in 1824, transitioning into the bustling lunchtime destination it became in the 90s. This innovative narrative technique showcases Yip’s mastery in capturing the nuances of the past, and establishes a profound connection with his audience, fostering a shared exploration of culture through art.
You can also take home a piece of the artwork in the form of limited edition collectibles including a twin postcard collection and EZ-link card collection. Available exclusively at Food Folks, patrons and art enthusiasts alike can bring home a tangible piece of Lau Pa Sat’s rich history as cherished mementos celebrating its 130th Anniversary.
The merchandise in collaboration with Ah Guo is made up of a three-part art series available as merchandise. The first artwork of the series showcases a bustling dawn scene of Lau Pa Sat in its early days as a bustling market by the sea, with fishermen fishing in the nearby waters and selling their catch of the day at Lau Pa Sat, alongside early-day street hawkers such as our quintessential Satay seller, amongst other hawkers of traditional heritage dishes. Ah Guo creates a visual journey through the corridors of his memories, inviting the audience to rediscover the essence of bygone days. The merchandise include pouches and stationeries for you to choose from, allowing you to bring a piece of Lau Pa Sat home, with style and functionality.
To celebrate Lau Pa Sat’s 130th Anniversary, you can look forward to a series of events for this year-long celebration including a free Augmented Reality Heritage Trail where you can take a tour through the times and immerse themselves in the heritage of Lau Pa Sat. Lau Pa Sat invites media representatives and the public to join the revelry of its 130th-anniversary celebration, promising an artistic spectacle that transcends time and culture.
