Art Sculptures

TRASH-SURE

SG 50 Lattice

The magnificent Sumatran Tiger sculpture spans 10m long and 7m tall and is made entirely from trash collected all over Singapore.

Created for Trash-Sure, a campaign that uses art to narrate sustainability, the sculpture calls attention to the mounting waste that pollutes our planet because of our excessive and inconsiderate consumption. Every year, we discard over 2 billion tons of trash, resulting in more harmful carbon emissions being trapped in our atmosphere and contributing to worsening global warming.

Trash-Sure hopes to raise awareness of the scarcity of Earth's precious resources and why we should reduce, reuse and recycle to sustain our fragile planet and keep it habitable for future generations.

In portraying a Sumatran tiger for this campaign, Trash-Sure is also bringing to the fore the plight of this critically endangered species. Relentless deforestation and rampant poaching are pushing it into extinction.

Trash-Sure is a work of wonder by Portuguese artivist Bordalo II, a world-renowned artist for repurposing trash into spectacular art pieces. He has more than 240 art works in over 20 countries.

To find out more, please visit trash-sure.com

Premiered on 1st August 2022, Trash-Sure is made possible by the following:

Presenting Partner: UBS

Enterprise Partner: Ho Bee Land 

Venue Partner: Gardens by the Bay
Inclusion Partner: Enabling Village
Community Partner: Extra•Ordinary People
Sustainability Partner: World Wild Fund
Recycling Partner: Greenway Environment
Education Partner: Temasek Polytechnic
Anamorphic Media Partner:Ten Square
Hospitality Partner: Pan Pacific Hotels Group

In support of: SG Green Plan and World Cities Summit

Held in: SG Passion Made Possible

Brought to you by: Ad Planet Group and Ace Daytons Communications

PLANET

Near The Meadow

A hefty seven tons, this impressive bronze sculpture is 9m long and 3m tall. It portrays an oversized reproduction of the artist’s own son, Lucas, as a baby. The sculpture’s weight is masterfully balanced on the infant’s right hand, creating the illusion that the sculpture is floating in the air. Created in 2008, the sculpture was exhibited for the first time at the Beyond Limits exhibition of contemporary sculpture at Chatsworth House, then later at the 2012 The Littoral Zone, at the Musee Oceanographic in Monaco. 

Sculptor: Marc Quinn

Gifted by Mr & Mrs Masagung

Material: Painted bronze and steel

MOONGATE

Active Garden

Standing at 3.8m, Moongate features an upright bronze ring with a uniquely textured inner surface modelled after abstract shapes that draw inspiration from the phenomena of our constantly changing natural world, such as shifting sands, tongues of flames, and the changing form of clouds. Conceived as a portal that explores ideas of journeying and arriving, the ring suggests continuity, connectedness and a sense of community that is central to what it means to be Singaporean. In this way, Moongate invites viewers to imagine fresh narratives as we author the next chapter of Singaporean history together.

The sculpture is situated in a lush landscaped garden with variety of flowering plants and trees on one side, and open vistas of the Marina waterfront on the other.

Sculptor: Chong Fah Cheong (for SG50 time capsule)

Material: Bronze

THE SEASHELL

Waterfront Promenade

Influenced by historical masterpieces, Valdés creates large works in which the lighting and colours express a sensation of tactility. His work is striking and decorated with historical art symbols. Manolo’s iconic sculptures are exhibited outdoors in the parks and gardens of major cities such as the New York Botanical Gardens, Hofgarten, Dusseldorf and Chatsworth House.

Sculptor: Manolo Valdés

Material: Molten Bronze and Iron Plinth

FIORE

Opposite Planet sculpture

Fiore is particularly captivating with an extensive headdress composed with flora and fauna that are reminiscent of Henri Matisse’s still-lifes. Valdés’s works are highly inspired by nature. The composition of flora and fauna, the naturally occurring rust-coloured patina of the steel, resonates with the artist’s relationship to nature and culture. 

Sculptor: Manolo Valdés

Material: Molten Iron

FLORAL CLOCK

Beside The Canopy

This seven-metre-wide Floral Clock draws inspiration from the signature characteristics of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak collection and fuses traditional and contemporary landscaping elements in its design. Featuring tropical plants with coloured foliage and flowers, its plant palette will be refreshed regularly for the public to enjoy.

Gifted by Audemars Piguet in celebration of Singapore's 50th anniversary (in 2015)

Material: Stainless Steel

MAGNIFICENT BULL

Golden Garden

Sited at the Arrival Square of the Gardens, this strong bronze cast bull sculpture by renowned American sculptor Walter Matia (b. 1953) displays a vigour that aptly depicts Singapore’s bullish economy. The artist’s passion about natural history serves as an inspiration to his impressive pieces. In his own words, he uses his visual experience to represent nature, rather than documenting it, by “selecting shapes and organising the masses, lines and negative spaces into sculpture”

Sculptor: Walter Matia

Gifted by Bank of America

Material: Bronze

DRAGONFLY RIDERS

Dragonfly Lake

A landmark feature within the tranquil Dragonfly Lake, these magnificent giant dragonflies sculptures with casts of children riding on their backs, measure 5m by 6m. The laser-cut meshed pattern used on the wings of the dragonflies encases colourful art glass, which gives an overall fascinating abstract effect. The eyes of the dragonflies, blue in one sculpture, red in the other, are made of mouth-blown glass flecked with gold. A touch of human warmth amongst our grandiose garden, the sculpture of the child riders is an ode to the joys of childhood.

Sculptor: Dr Elsie Yu

Material: Stainless steel, art glass

TRIO OF KINGFISHERS

Kingfisher Lake

Comprising two kingfisher sculptures in a perching stance and one in a flight position, the Trio of Kingfishers is given pride of place at the Kingfisher Lake, one of the more tranquil and relaxing spots in the Gardens. These large, impressive kingfisher sculptures are not only location markers but a sight to behold as their metallic feathers catch the changing light on the lake surface. The sightings of nine species of kingfishers have been recorded in Singapore. Some of them, such as the White-throated Kingfisher and the Collared Kingfisher are a familiar and welcome sight at the Gardens.

Sculptor: Eng Siak Loy

Material: Stainless steel

DIASPORA

Heritage Gardens (Chinese Garden)

You will encounter a modern piece of sculpture as you depart the Chinese garden and walk towards the Malay Garden. Named Diaspora, or li xiang (离乡), which means “to leave one’s native place”, this two-piece sculpture pays homage to early Chinese immigrants who had journeyed to Singapore in search of a better life. The first piece with a hollow centre, shaped in front of a pond which represents the ocean, while the second cut-out human figure is placed nearer the Malay Garden. 

Material: Springstone Marble

GUARDIAN LIONS

Supertree Grove

The two pairs of guardian lions placed to welcome visitors at both ends of the Supertree Grove are a prime example of traditional Chinese sculpture. Chinese guardian lions are always presented in pairs, with the male on the right, with its right paw playing with a ball that represents “power” and the female on the left, with a cub under her left paw, which symbolizes the cycle of life. According to the Taoist philosophy, the paired lions are also a representation of yin (female) and yang (male), which are the two contrasting and fundamental elements of the “Way”. While the male lion guards the entrance, the female lion protects the interior of the dwelling.

Sculptor: Wang Rong Hai

Material: Pale, fine grained granite

LOVE THE PHILIPPINE CROCODILE

Near Kingfisher Lake

Love The Philippine Crocodile depicts a 7-year-old female Philippine crocodile, Rea, created by internationally renowned public sculpture artists Gillie and Marc, a husband-and-wife team based in London and Sydney.

Philippine crocodiles play a vital role in their ecosystem by keeping fish populations healthy and in check. With an estimated population of just 100, the Philippine crocodile is considered the world’s most threatened crocodile species. Once common throughout the Philippines, Philippine crocodiles are now found exclusively on just a few islands, in large part due to habitat destruction.

Prior to donation to the Gardens, Love The Philippine Crocodile was displayed as part of Love The Last March, a sculpture collection featuring 45 of the world’s most endangered species taking part in the planet’s largest animal march. Inspired by creatures that the artists encountered on their travels, Love The Last March is currently the world’s longest bronze sculpture at 192m, and tells the stories of at-risk species to raise awareness of wildlife extinction and drive positive change.

Like the other pieces created for Love The Last March, Love The Philippine Crocodile was designed to be touched, climbed on, and photographed with, inviting audiences to connect and discover this beautiful species teetering on the brink of extinction. 

Sculptor: Gillie and Marc

Gifted by the artists

Material: Bronze

LOVE THE HIPPOPOTAMUS

Bayfront Plaza (near SG50 Lattice)

Love The Hippopotamus depicts a 9-year-old female African hippopotamus, Hibo, created by internationally renowned public sculpture artists Gillie and Marc, a husband-and-wife team based in London and Sydney.

Closely related to whales and dolphins, the African hippopotamus is a vulnerable species threatened by habitat loss as water holes dry up at an alarming rate. With climate change cutting the rainy season short, they are also seeing reduced food options. Poaching poses a major threat to these majestic water-loving giants as well, with many killed for meat and ivory.

Prior to donation to the Gardens, Love The Hippopotamus was displayed as part of Love The Last March, a sculpture collection featuring 45 of the world’s most endangered species taking part in the planet’s largest animal march. Inspired by creatures that the artists encountered on their travels, Love The Last March is currently the world’s longest bronze sculpture at 192m, and tells the stories of at-risk species to raise awareness of wildlife extinction and drive positive change.

Like the other pieces created for Love The Last March, Love The Hippopotamus was designed to be touched, climbed on, and photographed with, inviting audiences to connect and discover this beautiful species teetering on the brink of extinction.  

Sculptor: Gillie and Marc

Gifted by the artists

Material: Bronze