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In the high-stakes environments of places like Hong Kong and Singapore, art is often treated as a hobby that must eventually be sacrificed in a fast-paced, money-minded urban lifestyle.
But for Singaporean visual artist Toby Tan, known professionally as Tobyato, the intensity of city life drives his art.
“Both Hong Kong and Singapore have that pressure, but it also breeds a very competitive, good [and] creative environment. And I feel like that helps a lot of creatives in many ways,” the 32-year-old said.
“I personally feel that pressure works like a pressure cooker. With a bit of pressure, you cook faster, and you go a lot further. The ‘food’ that comes out is more tender and nicer.”
Tan is a prominent force in Singapore’s art scene: he has painted murals at home and abroad, spanning cities like Paris and Los Angeles, while collaborating with global brands including Nike, Asics and Samsung.
His works often blend modern fashion and cultural heritage, drawing in audiences by using relatable and surprising elements.
Fusing past and present
Thanks to a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, Tan set up a booth at this year’s ComplexCon Hong Kong, a pop culture festival held last month. He brought a three-metre-tall Sneaker Stone Dragon to introduce to Hongkongers.
This piece blends sneaker culture with traditional Chinese guardian lions and Singapore’s Dragon’s Teeth Gate, a historical landmark in Singapore that represents the city’s maritime roots.
By combining the traditional stone lion with the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, Tan hoped to welcome the young crowd at ComplexCon into Singapore.
“Traditionally, stone lions were placed in front of establishments to welcome people into spaces. We wanted to take that and merge it with the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, which historically welcomed people into Singapore,” he said.
In creating a piece that blends modern trends with traditional and historical elements, the artist said his goal was to spark curiosity by creating an “unexpected moment” in which people notice something that does not seem like it belongs.
“By mixing the modern with the traditional, that juxtaposition creates the moment that allows curiosity to happen,” he said. “History and mythology already exist; young people just need the curiosity to find out more.”
Tan believes that art and fashion are ways for our generation to keep culture alive in cities that are evolving as quickly as Hong Kong and Singapore.
“I’ve always felt that fashion and street culture are very accessible ways for people to appreciate things like heritage, culture and history. Because street culture is accessible, it becomes effective,” the artist said.
Tips for being a modern creative
In today’s society, Tan acknowledged that finding a balance between being practical and free was the key to making a living out of art.
“Understand how to be relevant in the industry ... You understand what the industry wants, and you mix that with what you want to do. And when you fit within the overlap, you will naturally become relevant, and you will get projects to do,” he said.
“As your work progresses ... which you naturally will if you work hard, parents will see the rewards. For me, it was the case where after I got more and more projects, my parents started sending my interviews and my projects to my relatives.”
Besides these tips for success, Tan also pointed out that social media helped him make his work known.
“Social media is no longer just about showing the work; it’s about showing the person behind the work. The social element is incredibly important,” he said.
“Through social media, I can reach out to people all around the world.”
Another element to his journey as an artist is building his momentum.
“A lot of creators are perfectionists and are afraid to start because they think their work isn’t good enough. But if you don’t start, you can’t build momentum. Just start, and you will eventually realise what works and what doesn’t,” he shared.
“Once you have that momentum, it’s harder to stop than it was to start.”
Tan’s hard-earned advice for young people who want to become designers or artists is to start today, even if they do not see success right away.
“One thing that has kept me going is the belief that hard work will pay off, though not always immediately. If you keep at it and keep the momentum going, you’ll eventually get projects like this,” he said.
