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Bishan court gets a 'facelift': Artist paints mural to spur residents to reflect on meaning of estate's name

Mr Toby Tan roped in a total of 28 friends to help him paint the basketball court over five days. The cost of the paint and tools was under $2,000.
Mr Toby Tan roped in a total of 28 friends to help him paint the basketball court over five days. The cost of the paint and tools was under $2,000. ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Toby Tan (second from left) painting the Bishan basketball court as a team with his friends. This was similar to how he painted his first basketball court in Punggol - as a team and working up to nine hours a day.
Mr Toby Tan (second from left) painting the Bishan basketball court as a team with his friends. This was similar to how he painted his first basketball court in Punggol - as a team and working up to nine hours a day.ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
The team working on the painting at the basketball court on July 10. Mr Toby Tan started the project because he felt that Singaporeans were largely unaware of the meaning of neighbourhood names.
The team working on the painting at the basketball court on July 10. Mr Toby Tan started the project because he felt that Singaporeans were largely unaware of the meaning of neighbourhood names.ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
No amount of sunblock could stop Mr Toby Tan from getting sunburned, as he and his friends began painting at 9am and ended around 6pm each day.
No amount of sunblock could stop Mr Toby Tan from getting sunburned, as he and his friends began painting at 9am and ended around 6pm each day. ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
After a day of painting, Mr Tan Kwang Boon, a 27-year-old graphic designer, takes a rest while a taiji session is conducted in the background.
After a day of painting, Mr Tan Kwang Boon, a 27-year-old graphic designer, takes a rest while a taiji session is conducted in the background.ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Tan Kwang Boon (far left) helped his friend, Mr Toby Tan, with the painting on four days.
Mr Tan Kwang Boon (left) helped his friend, Mr Toby Tan, with the painting on four days.ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Toby Tan painting a heart-shaped replica of the basketball court to promote his project, after being approached by Bishan North Community Centre to do so.
Mr Toby Tan painting a heart-shaped replica of the basketball court to promote his project, after being approached by Bishan North Community Centre to do so. ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
The name Bishan comes from its beginnings as a Chinese cemetery known as Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, which means "pavilions on the jade hills". This historical background inspired Mr Toby Tan's hill-shaped design on the basketball court, along with its
The name Bishan comes from its beginnings as a Chinese cemetery known as Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, which means "pavilions on the jade hills". This historical background inspired Mr Toby Tan's hill-shaped design on the basketball court, along with its hues of green. He calls the court-painting his kejiranan ("neighbourhood" in Malay) project. ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY
Before the project began, the basketball court was in a poor condition, with peeling paint, an uneven surface and dents in it - the result of wear and tear over the years.
Before the project began, the basketball court was in a poor condition, with peeling paint, an uneven surface and dents in it - the result of wear and tear over the years.PHOTO: COURTESY OF RAPHAEL CHIN
Mr Toby Tan checking on how the rain was affecting the paint at the basketball court. As it rained four times in the first two days of the project, he was able to paint substantially only on the third day.
Mr Toby Tan checking on how the rain was affecting the paint at the basketball court. As it rained four times in the first two days of the project, he was able to paint substantially only on the third day. ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY

Artist paints mural on basketball court to spur residents to reflect on meaning of estate's name

Published: 
Aug 12, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
Shintaro Tay 

The rain was not going to deter artist Toby Tan from turning a run-down basketball court in Bishan into an art piece that he hopes will prompt residents to reflect on the meaning of the town's name.

The name Bishan comes from its beginnings as a Chinese cemetery known as Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, which means "pavilions on the jade hills".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 12, 2019, with the headline 'Bishan court gets a 'facelift''. Print Edition | Subscribe
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