Yip Yew Chong: The Creative Maestro Turning Simplicity Into Fun

Yip Yew Chong: The Muralist Who Keeps It Light & Easy

Looking for deep symbolism in Yip Yew Chong‘s art? Sorry, but you’re probably on a wild goose chase. The Singapore veteran of wall painting is a self‑declared pragmatist, shouting “practical” more often than a karaoke hit in a chat with us.

Fun, No Drama — The Core of Yip’s Philosophy

At 53, Yip is still young at heart. With two kids (a 24‑year‑old son and a 22‑year‑old daughter) keeping his life vibrant, he says:

“It’s just for fun—no message or anything serious about it. Don’t take all this too seriously!”

Weekend Shenanigans at the Malay Heritage Centre

Over the weekend, Yip turned the lawn at 85 Sultan Gate into a “guerrilla” playground. He floated hand‑painted chickens and ducks—art in the moment, ready to get swept away like feathers in the wind.

“It’s More Fun, You Know”

“It comes as a surprise, like a storm—boom! And then it’s gone.”
“You have to catch it in the moment.”

That’s all there is to it! Yip reminds us that art can be a playful dash of color, not a lecture hall. The walls will always be there, but the fleeting joy? That’s what’s truly unforgettable.

Feathers, Cardboard & a Cat: The Wild Tale of Yew Chong’s Fowl Fiasco

Fun fact: Yew Chong started with 24 chickens and 25 ducks – but three of those feathered friends bumbled away. “The numbers are basically a joke,” he says, laughing it off like a cartoon scene.

In his own words, he had one big ambition: “I was aiming for 50 but I ran out of cardboard!” The real story unfolds at Kebun Baru Market and Food Centre, where the Arts in the Neighborhood programme by the National Arts Council turned his backyard into a buzz‑worthy exhibit.

The “Chick‑Duck Lottery” Moment

A bunch of aunties did the count, scribbled the numbers and slipped a 4D ticket into the hope machine.
First week, second week, third week… “never strike.”
On the final week, a triumphant auntie calls out: “Second prize leh!” – a win that felt more like a funny story than a fortune.

Enter the Cat

After a few rounds of chicken‑duck stare‑off, Yew Chong decided it was time for a comic twist. He painted a cat — a one‑hour masterpiece — and popped it into his pile of birds at the Malay Heritage Centre.

“The cat? The cat is to “jaga” (protect) the chickens and ducks!” he jokes, letting the humor flow. “No, again, nothing serious – it’s pure fun. People get bored after seeing the same birds for a while, so, just add a cat and keep the vibe fresh!”

Embed: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDXD3KPU2p/?utmsource=igwebcopylink” target=”_blank”>Instagram Moment

Beyond the Feathered Fun

We sat down with Yew Chong to chat about his leap from accounting to art, how his life philosophy shapes his creative choices, and even the unexpected influence of national service on his unique quirkiness.

Whether it’s a duo of chickens, a rogue cat, or a handful of aunties playing a game of 4D, Yew Chong’s story reminds us that art thrives on silliness, a touch of daring, and the joy of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

You were an accountant for 25 years. What was your greatest fear making the decision to be a full-time artist in 2018?

From Excel to Easel: My Smooth Leap into the Art World

How the Switch Happened

It was a pretty easy swap, let me tell you. During the week—Monday through Friday—my life was all spreadsheets, calculators, and the fluorescent office hum. On the weekend, I traded my desk for a canvas and the streets for color.

Why the One‑Day‑Out Turned Into a Full‑Time Passion

Murals Met Demand: Every time I sprayed a wall, people stopped, stared, and loved it. The buzz grew and the commissions started piling up.
Moving On Health: Those gigs turned into a 24/7 grind, and my body—along with my brain—couldn’t keep up.
Family Satisfaction: My kids had grown out of my tiny office shadows, and the house felt roomy enough for a painter.
Wife’s Push: She was the one who nudged me to spend less time crunching numbers and more time dripping canvases. My 25‑year accounting toolkit had already made a comfortable nest.

From Semi‑Retirement to Full‑Time Life

At first I called myself “semi‑retired” because I thought I was just dipping into this new hobby. Fast forward, and I’m not just painting for fun—I’ve turned it into a true full‑time occupation, if not the job itself, then a living, breathing passion.

Takeaway

No fear or hesitation? Totally. It was a pretty smooth transition, and it just turned out to be a fun, creative, and utterly rewarding shift.

What are some of the life lessons you’ve gleaned from being a full-time artist in the last four years?

Why I Keep It Simple and Humorous About My Creative Life

I’m an accountant turned painter, and I’ve learned that simplicity wins every day.

Balls in the Basketball – What Over‑Planning Means

When I splash paint on canvas, I start with a broad idea and let the brush do the rest. I don’t map out a step‑by‑step route to masterpiece city. I explore, take detours, and adapt on the fly. Think of it like a GPS that updates every time you see a better scenic route.

Art and Travel: The Same Flexible Spirit

Traveling is my jam. I leave the itinerary loose—just a destination, not a tight schedule. Then, as I wander, I’m in the mood for spontaneous detours that turn into discoveries. If you’re wondering, one time I stepped away from accounting and never planned to paint murals; I bought a camera and started making short films, thinking that would be the next big thing. Turns out, I ended up adding elephant‑in‑the‑room moments to the canvas instead.

Strike While the Iron Is Hot – Grab Every Chance

In a world where attention is wibbly‑wobbly, I act fast. If a project—say a chicken‑and‑duck art installation—fires off positive vibes, I get straight to the next one.
But I’m also quick to slow down when the flame fizzles. We’re not chasing trends for the sake of trends; we’re chasing meaningful opportunities.

When to Pass On a Project

If sustaining a passion will burn a hole through my piggy bank, I let it go. My accountant brain says: “We’re not going to bankrupt the family for a splash of creativity.” So I set budgets and practice the art of saying “no” politely.

Art for People, Not for the Paint Bin

Art’s purpose is pure: to be seen, loved, and sometimes, bought. If the creative process thrills me, so does seeing people joyfully engage with my work. I love mingling with viewers—if they want a photo with me, I’m happy, unless I’m consumed in a creative frenzy.

Bottom Line: A Practical Artistic Life

Being practical is my secret sauce. I plan enough to not waste time, yet keep room for spontaneity. I seize chances but also know when to pause. Above all, I keep my art open to the world—because if no one is looking, what’s the point?

You’re such a prolific artist with a large body of work. Which is your favourite piece? And tell us the story behind it.

My Chosen Canvas: My Chinatown Home

Hey friends, let me take you on a quick trip down memory lane—well, in stylised brush strokes, of course.

Why This Mural Holds a Spot on My Heart

Picture a cozy house on 30 Smith Street, surrounded by charming old‑world charm. I gave it my own hand‑painted heartbeat: My Chinatown Home. Turns out, most of my pieces are the result of loved ones asking me to keep their rooms alive with colour.

The Story Behind the Walls

Born in that house – first 14 years of life.
Remembering more than the “good old days”: flames lurking, roofs leaking, pesky rats, and mosquitoes that are like tiny, triumphant riffles.
Fast‑forward to now—good vibes, no time‑travel nostalgia.

From Wet Markets to Doors: A Wild Detour

When I decided to splash on Chinatown canvases, I had six themes in mind: The Letter Writer, Mid‑Autumn, Cantonese Opera, Paper Mask & Puppet Seller, Wet Market, and Clock Maker. Wet Market sounded thrilling, but the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) put a stop: “No painting on existing doors and windows for that preserved house.”

So, grabbing my sketchbook, I pivoted. I switched gears to the house itself, integrating those windows and doors into the composition. A blessing in disguise—the house became the protagonist!

Lesson Learned

Planning is great, but don’t over‑carry disappointment. When the path twists, stay flexible and embrace the detour.
Better, brighter canvases await.

That’s the secret sauce behind every private commission I love to create. Let your imagination roam, but remember—tilt the brush as life demands.

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In one Instagram post (shown above) about the NS-related mural you painted at 51 Waterloo Street, you wrote: “I really enjoyed the conscription (2.5 years full-time, another 17 years in readiness). I felt it was a good experience.” Plus, you got to create some art in the form of a giant dragon lantern while in OCS. How did national service inspire you – or your art?

A Wild Ride From the Trenches to the Brush

Picture this: after tackling the brutal Basic Military Training (BMT), I slipped straight into SAFINCOS—our Infantry Non‑Commissioned Officer School. By 1988, I’d jumped into Officer Candidate School (OCS), turned a teacher in that environment, and then moved on to command an infantry company. Later, I became a Deputy S3 in a bustling brigade—gadgets, plans, and an endless supply of coffee. The mix of instructing, operations, and strategic planning? Simply amazing.

Two Army‑Born Truths I Carry Into Life (and Art)

Handling Disappointment: Never once did I land the coveted guard post I had eyed. In that period, my spirit hit rock bottom. Yet, I realised that if I had secured that position, I might not have ventured into these other adventures. It’s a bit like my art: some canvases don’t stick, but you keep pushing forward until you find the perfect wall.
Speaking Up for My Team: In my early days, I let my lack of maturity get in the way of handling people, leading to mistakes and embarrassments. If I were to summarise that in a single line, it would be: “I’ve learned that standing up for others—no matter how uncomfortable—makes the entire unit stronger.”

From the Front Lines to Fresh Paint

Just as I’d say to a junior officer who’s stuck in a tough spot: “It’s okay. Time isn’t right yet. Wait, and you will find the perfect chance.” That same vibe works for painting. I pose questions to myself: “Will this wall work? Can we spruce this up? Is there a better angle?” And then I hit the brush.

Thanks to the growth in my skillset from those early military days, each new mural becomes a show‑stopper—brighter, richer, and way more impactful than the ones that came before. In short, the lessons learned on the battlefield translate straight into the creative arena, turning every disappointment into a stepping stone toward an even more glorious masterpiece.

Tell us more about the massive 50m-long painting that you’re working on right now!

Paint Beyond Pandemic: My Canvas Crusade

During the lockdown of 2020, while the usual outdoor gigs were on a pause, I transformed my living space into a makeshift studio and pulled out a massive batch of canvases—so many that I ended up hosting two solo exhibitions in 2021. Once the brush hits the canvas, it’s not a quick tap, it’s a marathon.

Fast forward: Canvas over Murals—they’re not just art; they’re collectibles that outlast the flick of a spray can.
Why go canvas? Long‑lasting, collectible, and oh-so-valuable for the art market.

The 50m Project: Big Brush, Bigger Dreams

Currently, I’m polishing my 7th piece out of a grand 23‑piece lineup, aiming to wrap up the 50m venture by year‑end. A full‑scale showcase is slated for next year, so keep those dates on your calendar.

Beyond Length: The Story I Want to Tell

I’m not chasing a tall canvas—my focus is on the meaningful content that pressures at the core of the artwork. The goal? To represent the everyday pulse of Singapore:

Urban sprawl and bustling streets
Nature’s quiet corners amidst the concrete jungle
Heritage corridors preserving old tales
Faces, cultures, food that flavor each corner

When all comes together, the canvas becomes more than paint—it turns into a narrative that feels alive, relatable, and worth preserving.

Many of your projects are on a large scale, and are pretty time-consuming. What do you think about when you’re painting?

Getting Lost in the Brush

When I pick up a brush, it’s like slipping into a secret room that only I can see. The walls of that room are made of paint, and the air smells like fresh oils and dry canvas. All I have to do is picture the final splash in my head and let the colors do the talking.

Why This Makes Me Feel Right in My Skin

It’s a two‑step process: first the mind does a mental rehearsal, then the eyes double‑check that the hues match what I imagined. Think of it as a backstage pass to the painting studio—a calm, almost Zen moment where the only thing that matters is the next stroke.

Result? A state of flow so intense it feels like a happy escape. I’m not chasing deadlines or deadlines, just the pure, joyful act of creating.

How Everyone Gets Hooked

Process over product: Most artists, by all accounts, love the act itself. Think of it like binge‑watching a series—once you start, you can’t stop.
The “whatever‑else‑doesn’t‑matter” zone: Some people play video games for hours, forgetting food and bathroom breaks. The same happens to us when we’re passionate.
Pure joy: When you love what you are doing, the effort feels effortless—like you’re planting a seed that grows automatically.

What Came from Wonderwall.sg

This little fun dive into the mind‑painting connection was originally shared on Wonderwall.sg, and we’re excited to bring it down to Earth—no “AI” vibes here, just genuine human color tricks and laughs.