This Coimbatore Mural by a Singaporean Artist Is Absolutely Gorgeous

Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong visited Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, lately for a unique project. He created a beautiful mural measuring 15 by 14 meters on a four-story structure in Ukkadam after being commissioned to paint the walls of a residential building. He took inspiration from the bustling everyday life in the city.

Locals will recognize the mural’s depictions of a lady making tea, a street seller selling pani puri, and a guy expertly pouring tea.

Chong posted pictures of his trip on Instagram throughout his ten-day stay in the city. He posted images on January 28 with the remark, “My Studio for the next 10 days – a precursor to “I Paint my World.” In the following pictures, he was seen enjoying tea and food while also taking in the paintings that decorated city structures. Snapshots of ordinary life were mixed in with the images, showing children playing happily and people fetching water from the communal tank.

Chong also posted pictures of murals his pals in the city had painted. He described his own incomplete artwork as the “Indian version of a Chinatown tea-pouring mural” with a hint of comedy.

On February 4, Chong posted an update on the status of his mural, saying, “I’m happy to say I’m on track!” He is shown posing with his work from different perspectives in the following photos. He playfully pretends to carry a painted glass of tea in one picture and to be drinking tea that a guy in the mural is pouring for him in another. The images also show the unfinished artwork on a different portion of the structure. In addition to these mural updates, Chong can be seen mingling with locals, taking pictures, and savoring local food.

On February 6, on his last day of mural painting, Chong revealed the source of inspiration for his inclusion of a pani puri seller in his piece. He said how the concept was inspired by the busy food vendors, particularly a pani puri stand next to the painting spot.

Chong also added a Tamil saying to the painting, “வாங்க சாப்பிடலாம்” (Come, let’s eat). This saying, which is often written on the walls of Coimbatore’s streets, gave the artwork a very local feel.

Many internet users expressed their admiration for Chong’s mural in the comment area. “The magic of your artwork is that it brings smiles to everyone who sees it,” said one user, and “Amazing work Mr. Yip!” said another.