Wall Murals In Boon Keng, Singapore
3 MINUTE READING TIME · 20 JAN 2026
I recently came across these wall artworks at the Boon Keng HDB blocks. As a commercial photographer who gravitates toward documentary-style work, I was naturally drawn to their striking visuals. Even though I’m only showing a few images here, it actually took me quite some time to search around the different blocks. There was a sense of anticipation — wondering what might surprise me next, hoping to discover more along the way. I love that feeling. Wandering, exploring, and finding visual stories worth sharing — that’s what keeps photography exciting for me.
Boon Keng
A subzone within the Kallang Planning Area in Singapore. Named after Dr. Lim Boon Keng, a prominent figure in Singapore's history, the area reflects a blend of colonial-era influences and modern development. Boon Keng is a compact neighborhood, offering a mix of residential living and recreational facilities. It is well-connected by public transport and serves as a gateway to the city's central business district quickly.
I also recently discovered that Bendemeer Market & Food Centre is just nearby, with plenty of delicious food waiting to be explored. It’s almost a shame that I’ve walked past this area so many times without ever stopping to check it out.
About the wall art
Were these artworks officially commissioned, or were they community-driven? I honestly have no idea. One thing is certain though — the theme clearly revolves around food and drink lifestyle. Perhaps these wall artworks are quietly telling visitors what’s around the neighbourhood, hinting at local spots waiting to be discovered if one only slows down and looks.
My experience
I was passing through the Boon Keng vicinity for three consecutive days, taking a bus from home and transiting to the MRT station. That was how I first noticed these wall artworks.
Some spots were quiet, while others were busy with people walking through. I observed that most people were simply passing by, eyes glued to their phones. It made me wonder — does anyone actually pause and take a moment to look at these artworks?
One of the wall art pieces, painted as a wrapped sweet, was previously blocked by a banner. When I passed by again the other day, the banner was no longer covering it, so I was happy to take the opportunity to snap a shot.
The bicycle in the frame doesn’t bother me — though I’m not sure how you’d feel about it. If this were a commercial assignment, I would probably move the bicycle temporarily or clean it up in Photoshop. But for documentary-style work, I’m comfortable leaving it as it is.
Wrapped sweet
Lighting
The shot below was taken on another day when I walked past the area again. This time, the weather was sunny, close to 12pm — approaching the harsh mid-afternoon sun. The interplay of light and shadow makes the image more contrasty and gives it a stronger visual pop.
Lighting definitely plays a crucial role in photography. Sometimes, whether a picture works or not depends entirely on the lighting conditions. That’s why I often return to the same spot or area on different days and at different times. It’s always interesting — and fun — to see how different qualities of light can completely change the mood of a scene.
A dollar ice-cream cone V2
Photographer’s perspective
All the images here were captured using my iPhone. I’m so used to composing through a camera viewfinder, but this time I had to rely on the larger phone screen, carefully aligning the grid lines to achieve balance in each frame.
The upside? A phone is far lighter and more portable compared to carrying my professional DSLR. While “Instagram-famous” murals tend to draw crowds and attention, the wall art here sits quietly in the background, waiting to be discovered by the next curious passerby — just like I did.
