Exploring Orchard Road’s outdoor artworks

More than a stretch of air-conditioned shopping centres and luxury hotels, Orchard Road is also home to top outdoor artworks created by artists from Singapore and around the world.

Most of these artworks are located right outside shopping malls and hotels. All you need to do is follow this guide and let your feet take you down the main thoroughfare and into the smaller lanes.

Orchard Art Trail
All venues are near the Orchard and Somerset MRT stations
Regent Singapore to Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Dragon-Riding Bodhisattva by Li Chen statue located outside of The St. Regis Singapore

Start the first part of your art trail of Orchard Road at five-star hotel, Regent Singapore. At the hotel’s main entrance, you’ll spot 1 Harmony Fountain (1982), designed by renowned sculptor Stephanie Scuris. This is a pretty spot to be at night, as the fountain lights up with multicoloured LED lighting.

Then make your way along Tanglin Road to The St. Regis Singapore. Three artworks sit around the entrance: the two plump-proportioned pieces, 2 Dragon-Riding Bodhisattva (2001) by Li Chen and 3 Reclining Woman (2004) by Fernando Botero, as well as 4 Sense Surround #1, #2, #3 and #4 in painted aluminium (2006) by local artist Anthony Poon.

Continuing along Tanglin Road, past Tanglin Shopping Centre, you’ll get to Orchard Parade Hotel. This is where the 5 Mother & Child (1980) sits serenely, created by late Singaporean sculptor and Cultural Medallion holder Ng Eng Teng.

Walk further down to Hilton Singapore. Can you see the two statues standing guard in front of the hotel? Those are 6 Wei Chi Jing De & Qin Shu Bao (1975) by Aw Eng Kwang. Then look up at the hotel’s frontage–you’ll immediately see 7 Eulogy to Singapore (1969) by Gerard D’Alton Henderson, covering over 5,000 square feet.

After admiring these massive sculptural reliefs, step inside the hotel for a bit of air-conditioned comfort then take the linkway to Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. Head towards the entrance close to Orchard Boulevard. This leaf-like sculpture is known as 8 Vitality (1994) by Sun Yu-li. You’ll see more of this China-born artist’s outdoor artworks, which are scattered throughout Singapore.

ION Orchard to PARAGON
Sun Yu-li’s sculpture located outside of PARAGON

This second trail combines your shopping trip on Orchard Road with a little art appreciation. Starting at ION Orchard, you’ll find 9 Nutmeg & Mace by Kumari Nahappan (2009) outside the main entrance. This unmissable sculpture is a favourite spot for photo-taking, so don’t forget your camera.

When you get to the public plaza of the huge Ngee Ann City shopping complex, past Wisma Atria, you’ll see the fountain flanked by two identical gleaming sculptures. This is 10 Harmony (1995) by Professor Liu Ji Lin. Keep a look out for the traditional stone lions at the entrance.

Then cross the street to PARAGON for a closer look at six of Sun Yu-li’s sculptures called 11 Celebrations, Endearment, Courtship, Development, Friendship & Relaxation (2002), inspired by ancient civilisation and cave paintings dating back 20,000 years.

Somerset MRT station to Winsland House II

Not so much a trail as a destination for two of Singapore’s most famous public art installations. From Somerset MRT station, walk about 200 metres along Somerset and Penang Roads to Winsland House II.

Within this office building’s courtyard is 12 LOVE. Or rather, a sculpture by famed artist Robert Indiana. What started as a Christmas card created in the 1960s became a Pop Art icon of the era, reproduced in numerous formats and displays. The version you see here was created in 1993 and bought by Wing Tai Holdings, which owns the building.

A stone’s throw away from LOVE is another famous artwork, 13 Dancer (1993) by Sun Yu-li. This bronze sculpture sits just outside the building, facing Penang Road. Both sculptures were previously situated outside Park Mall.

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