An 82-year-old street artist known as Mr. Thien has captured the hearts of internet users after images of his unique twig artwork went viral on social media, sparking calls for his creative work to be preserved for future generations.
The elderly artist gained widespread attention when Facebook user Purp Tran shared photos of him creating art in a public Facebook group called Heritage SG Memories. What started as a simple post has now generated massive online engagement, receiving over 7,100 reactions and being shared 702 times since it was posted in the early morning hours of July 30.
The images show Mr. Thien crouched on the ground, carefully arranging stray twigs and sticks to form detailed line drawings that, upon closer examination, reveal themselves to be intricate portraits accompanied by Chinese character titles. His chosen medium is unconventional yet striking – using discarded twigs found around the Pek Kio area to create remarkable works of art.
"This lovely uncle uses stray sticks to create art every morning around the Pek Kio area," Purp Tran wrote in her original post. "He is definitely a heritage fixture that we enjoy seeing when we are lucky to, and will miss one day. Pretty certain that there won't be another quite like him."
The post's popularity extended beyond the original Facebook group when it was also shared on the Facebook page SGVirality, where it garnered an additional 2,900 reactions and 192 shares, demonstrating the widespread appeal of Mr. Thien's artistic talent.
Online research revealed that the portrait featured in the viral images depicts actress Zhu Hong, 83, likely a movie star from Mr. Thien's youth. This discovery has led many to interpret his art as deeply personal and nostalgic.
The response from social media users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the artist's skill and creativity. Benjamin Zeng Yuhui commented, "Talent in the heartlands. Kudos to uncle's creativity." Another user, Gany Eusope, offered a more emotional interpretation, saying, "He's drawing from the heart, Uncle probably misses someone."
However, some users expressed concern about potential legal issues, worrying that the artist might face trouble for vandalism. Despite these concerns, the majority of comments have been supportive and celebratory of his unique artistic expression.
For some local residents, the viral post finally provided an explanation for mysterious images that had been appearing in their neighborhood. Joel Ng commented, "Omg I was wondering who/why coz it was kinda freaky to have a random image by the carpark! But thanks for enlightening me!"
The online attention has prompted serious discussions about preserving Mr. Thien's artistic legacy. Corinne Schmidt-Chua asked, "Perhaps some residents can compile an online photo gallery of his artwork to remember him in future?" Another user, Rogger Yap, was so impressed that he recorded video footage, stating, "The artist's skill is truly remarkable so I took a video while he's creating his dream girl."
This recent viral moment is not Mr. Thien's first brush with public recognition. He was previously featured on Stomp in 2023, and three years before that, Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan mentioned him in a Facebook post, indicating that his artistic presence in the community has been noticed by both media and government officials over the years.
Purp Tran, who originally shared the post, told The New Paper that her motivation was simple: she wanted Mr. Thien to be celebrated as an artist while he is still alive and actively creating. She believes his talents could translate well to other venues, suggesting he would make an excellent busker. "I think people would support him," she said confidently.
Looking ahead to Singapore's upcoming National Day celebrations, Purp Tran expressed her hope that Mr. Thien's story might reach an even broader audience. "National day is coming up. I would feel proud to see a local talent like him doing his thing on the big screen," she added, envisioning the elderly artist receiving the recognition she believes he deserves.
Mr. Thien's story represents more than just viral internet content – it highlights the often-overlooked artistic talent that exists in local communities and raises important questions about how society values and preserves the work of unconventional artists. His daily practice of transforming discarded natural materials into meaningful art serves as both a form of personal expression and an inadvertent commentary on sustainability and creativity.
The overwhelming positive response to his work demonstrates the public's appreciation for authentic, grassroots artistry and their desire to celebrate individuals who bring beauty and meaning to everyday spaces. As discussions continue about how best to document and preserve his artistic contributions, Mr. Thien continues his daily ritual of creating temporary masterpieces from the simple materials found around him, one twig at a time.
