The Rainbow Connection
Filipina artist Pacita Abad turns Alkaff Bridge into a colorful work of art
Singapore Embassy Newsletter
June 2004

It is funny how a cup of coffee can stimulate the senses. At least, that is what happened to me early last year, when I was the artist-in-residence at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI), an institute that collaborates with International and Singaporean artists.

Working with STPI was intense and exhausting, but were exhilarated by our artistic collaboration. We always took coffee breaks in the mornings and the afternoons at one of the many cafes in the area. It was during one of these relaxing moments that I began to really look at the Alkaff Bridge, which is located right nest to STPI.

At first, the pedestrian bridge across the famous Singapore River did not make much of an impression on me. I think it was because the bridge was painted like a naval warship – a battleship grey colors. Gradually, the more I looked at the bridge, the more I began to appreciate its graceful lines and curvaceous steel pipes. Then it came to me that to accentuate the sculptural shape of the bridge, it should be painted in bright colors. I knew that the bridge would look fantastic, if only it was painted in a way that would make people notice it, instead of simply just walking over it, or passing by it.

I told my colleagues at STPI of my idea to paint the bridge, and they all laughingly agreed that it would be great, but reminded me that I would never get permission to do such a thing in Singapore. I responded that it won’t hurt to try.

Finally, last November, STPI’s Matin Tran told me that with strong support from Edmund Cheng, a board member of STPI, everyone had approved of the project.

I was so happy when we finally got the permission to paint the bridge since I love public art. To me, art should be incorporated into our everyday lives, not just hung on a wall of a museum. Nothing is more public than a bridge that thousands of people pass by everyday.

How wonderful, a unique “Painted Bridge”, as my gift to Singapore!