As part of Murallingo, we worked on a large-scale mural for the new Singapore Oceanarium using ocean waste collected through beach clean-ups across Singapore. After collecting, cleaning and segregating the debris, we transformed the materials into an installation that explored the transition from a vibrant, thriving ocean to a dystopian future of bleached corals and fish forms made from scraps and discarded waste. My role focused on the technological and interactive elements of the mural, while also contributing to the wider fabrication and installation of the piece.
Process & BTS
Over the course of 4–5 beach clean-ups across Singapore, we collected discarded plastic waste which was then cleaned, sanitised, and carefully segregated based on material types and colours. Alongside this, we visited the aquarium both for visual research and to better understand the scale and spatial context of the mural site. Studying the forms, textures, and structures of sea creatures and aquatic plants became an important part of the process, informing how the collected waste could be cut, shaped, layered, and joined together to recreate organic underwater forms through sculptural elements.
Interactive Installation
The mural also included an interactive layer inspired by coral bleaching and the gradual loss of marine ecosystems. Embedded LEDs within selected coral forms slowly turned white as visitors approached the artwork, mimicking the visual effect of corals losing their colour in response to environmental stress. The interaction was built using proximity sensors, Arduino-controlled LEDs, and custom-coded behaviours that controlled the light transitions based on viewer movement. Alongside designing and fabricating the sculptural coral elements, the project also involved wiring, coding, testing sensor responses, and setting up the final installation within the space.
Digital simulation of the interactive LEDs. (Hover over the corals)
Finished Mural
The final outcome was a large-scale sculptural mural that brought together painting, collected plastic waste, and interactive lighting into a single immersive installation. Moving between vibrant underwater ecosystems and themes of pollution and coral bleaching, the work aimed to encourage closer reflection on the environmental impact of human waste on marine life. The mural now exists as a permanent installation at the Singapore Oceanarium.
