There’s an alley in Kampong Glam that many people might overlook because it's narrow, gritty, and might not seem interesting enough to locals or tourists. However, in my opinion, it has one of the most creative and artistic street art scenes. The alley is called Subhan Street, though some refer to it as #gelamgallery, as it has become a canvas for street artists to showcase their talent and express their creativity.
I had the pleasure of visiting this spot last night to explore the street art scene in the area.
On my way to Subhan Street, I noticed the beautifully preserved traditional buildings, now repurposed as shophouses and restaurants, which give the area a charming city vibe.
What’s fascinating about these shophouses is the uniqueness of the ornaments that adorn the facades of the buildings.
Although the buildings share a similar traditional architectural style, each one stands out with unique ornaments that give it its own character. I believe this is done to distinguish one building from the next, as they are arranged in rows and connected to each other.
Some of the designs appear simpler, while other buildings feature intricate sets of ornaments that are truly impressive.
After passing through these shophouses, I reached the entrance of Subhan Street. As I stood there, staring at the wall entirely covered by air conditioning equipment, I was filled with awe.
It's impressive, though for a not-so-good reason, as it made me curious about why a small shophouse would require so many air conditioning units. I don't really know the answer to that, as only the owner would know why.
From this point forward, the experience I had as I walked along the street felt like I was walking through an art gallery with an outdoor ambience. It's impressive that the people here have a deep passion for and connection with their artwork. The artworks themselves were created separately but somehow linked with each other in various ways.
There's an artwork that stretches from one building to another, forming a long interconnecting piece with an underwater or sea theme.
And then there's street art that reminds me of 90s pop culture because of the painting style and the look of the characters.
At the end of this collection is the artwork I consider the best because it looks awesome, despite appearing challenging to create. It covers the entire wall of the building and successfully achieves intricate detail while maintaining the correct proportions throughout the piece.
Visiting Subhan Street was an unforgettable experience that revealed the vibrant and creative soul of Kampong Glam. I highly recommend taking the time to explore this hidden gem and immerse yourself in the incredible street art that brings the alley to life.
