In the latest episode of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast, the Singapore artist discusses how they’ve defied binary societal expectations, what happened when they got arrested, how they cultivate the mental strength required to always go against the grain
“I create for the people. Ever since the arrest, because of the outpouring of support, I made a promise that every piece I create will always be for the people and [be] inspired by them,” says Singapore artist Sam Lo.
Read more: Artist Sam Lo reflects on identity, art and pride 10 years after his brush with the law
In June 2012, Lo was arrested and later sentenced to 240 hours of community service for placing stickers and stencils of funny slogans on Singapore’s streets. Ten years later, the artist and their art have gained both the legitimacy and prominence they much deserved in the country.
From creating a street mural for Shack Shake’s outpost in Singapore to being appointed the art director of this year’s Chingay, the country’s largest multicultural street performance and float parade, Lo has come a long way from their days as a “vandal”.
Speaking to Gen.T’s Lee Williamson in the latest episode of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast, Lo shares their journey from “Sticker Lady” to artistic icon—and everything in between.
Here are a few excerpts from the conversation. Click the audio player below to listen to the full episode or subscribe via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
On not being born a natural artist
“I wasn’t the best illustrator or a kid who drew. I didn’t colour within the lines. So my mom could not understand why I became an artist or how I became an artist.”
On the importance of identity
“One of the most meaningful pieces of advice that I got from a mentor and a friend was to be an alien. So do not adopt any identity and look at things from the outside. But over the years, my approach has kind of changed a little bit. We could do with more empathy.”
On wanting to do good work
“A lot of people don’t look at my sexuality; they don’t look at whether I’m queer or trans... Honestly, I’m just here to exist. I just want to put up good work, and I just want to keep going in that trajectory. Whether you’re ready for me or not, I’m still gonna be here.”
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