SINGAPORE: Every brushstroke in the world of urban visual art tells a story, but occasionally those stories spark debate. Sean Dunston’s mural in a Chinatown shophouse, which features a samsui woman smoking a cigarette, has recently become the subject of a contentious debate.
The problem was brought to light when well-known artist Mr. Dunston used Instagram last week to draw attention to conversations that were taking place behind the scenes, including an order from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to take down the cigarette by July 3. He warned that if this doesn’t happen, the restaurant in the building might lose its temporary license.
The public complaint that the woman “looks more like a prostitute than a hardworking samsui woman” and that the mural is “offensive” and “disrespectful” was also cited by the URA.
Mr. Dunston made a controversial comment on Instagram. He defended the mural, saying that prostitutes are entitled to the same respect as everyone else and casting doubt on the complaint’s limited viewpoints. It was subsequently discovered that the mural was finished in early April without permission.
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