An 82-year-old man known for creating remarkable artwork using nothing but fallen twigs has once again captured public attention with his latest street art creation. The elderly artist, identified as Mr. Thien, was spotted on December 4 at around 11:45 AM meticulously arranging twigs into a lifelike portrait of a young woman at Block 44 Cambridge Road.
John, a passerby who witnessed the artistic process, was thoroughly impressed by the man's unique talent. "Using sticks to form a picture of a girl's face. As real as it could get," John remarked, describing the striking resemblance the twig arrangement bore to an actual human portrait. He added his admiration for the unconventional art form, saying, "Great, unique art, uses simple things. First time seeing such work."
Mr. Thien has become something of a local legend in the Pek Kio area, where he regularly creates his distinctive twig portraits. His unusual artistic talent first gained widespread recognition when he made headlines in 2022 and 2023. The octogenarian's work has even caught the attention of government officials, with Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan making several Facebook posts about the twig creations in 2020 and 2021, helping to bring Mr. Thien's art to a broader audience.
The artist's journey into twig art began serendipitously, as he previously explained to Lianhe Zaobao. "One day, I walked by the carpark and saw some twigs on the ground. I had the sudden inspiration to see what I could create from arranging them," Mr. Thien recalled. Drawing from his lifelong passion for visual arts, he noted, "I used to love buying magazines and books to study drawing techniques. So I decided to create some portraits."
Beyond the artistic expression, Mr. Thien's work serves a deeper personal purpose related to mental wellness in his golden years. "When you get old, your mental capability weakens. That's why I need to exercise my brain," he explained, highlighting how his art practice helps maintain cognitive function and mental sharpness.
Mr. Thien's popularity extended beyond local recognition when he was featured in a video by Our Grandfather Story (OGS), further cementing his status as a beloved community figure. His work went viral again on Facebook in July of this year, generating significant online buzz that was subsequently covered by The New Paper, demonstrating the enduring appeal of his unique artistic approach.
Public response to Mr. Thien's street art has been overwhelmingly positive, with social media users praising both his creativity and skill. "Talent in the heartlands. Kudos to uncle's creativity," one commenter wrote, celebrating the discovery of such artistic ability in everyday community spaces. Another observer offered a more emotional interpretation, suggesting, "He's drawing from the heart, Uncle probably misses someone," indicating how viewers connect personally with his portraits.
While most reactions have been supportive, some community members have expressed concern about potential legal issues, worrying that Mr. Thien might face trouble for vandalism despite the temporary and harmless nature of his twig arrangements. However, these concerns have not dampened the general enthusiasm for his work, as his art continues to bring joy and wonder to those who encounter it on the streets of Singapore.
