‘Such a small thing’: Artist behind Chinatown samsui woman mural will remove cigarette if URA clamps down

Artist behind Chinatown samsui woman says cigarette is there ‘because she wanted one’

Sean Dunston, the artist behind the controversial samsui woman mural in Chinatown, has expressed willingness to alter the artwork should authorities enforce the removal of the lady’s smoking depiction.

The Singapore-based artist took to Instagram in the early hours of Friday (28 June) to elaborate on his latest decision.

Last week, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said it was re-evaluating its stance on the mural after receiving public feedback.

URA had previously ordered the cigarette’s removal, claiming that it was “not aligned with Singapore’s anti-smoking policy”.

If URA chooses to go with its stance, Mr Dunston said he will comply by making changes to the mural.

He said that “many people’s rice bowls (would be) jeopardised” if he chose not to.

Artist behind Chinatown samsui woman mural says it’s not an endorsement to smoke

Regarding the cigarette portrayed in the mural, Mr Dunston clarified it was not intended as an endorsement or advertisement for smoking.

In fact, Mr Dunston’s reasoning for including the cigarette was quite straightforward:

The rollie is there because she wanted one.

The artist also shared that he had smoked for 20 years before quitting in 2010.

But no matter how “close” he is to the mural or how much time he spends in front of it, Mr Dunston said he would never return to smoking again.

Regardless, Mr Dunston apologised to anyone who may have started smoking after seeing the mural.

Praises URA for decision to re-evaluate stance

Mr Dunston also commented on URA’s handling of the matter, saying it was unfair to his patron.

He dismissed feedback likening the samsui woman to a “prostitute” as “moronic”, emphasising that such perceptions should not endanger his patron’s business over what he viewed as a minor issue such as the cigarette in the mural.

Nevertheless, he applauded URA’s decision to reconsider its stance in response to public feedback, hailing it as a “demonstration of temperance and restraint”.

Mr Dunston pointed out that while URA’s compliance system is effective for most matters, it’s not “well calibrated” to art.

The artist added that URA had scheduled a face-to-face meeting with the building’s owner this Friday evening (28 June).

Also read: Commentary: Uproar over Samsui woman mural — didn’t Lee Hsien Loong say we must be a more robust society?

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Featured image adapted from @seanpdunston on Instagram and Instagram.