Tran-Slate
Tran-Slate: Scientia
This art bench by Saurabh Mangla, titled Scientia (Latin for "knowledge"), draws inspiration from the word “knowledge” in the nation’s four official languages, paying homage to Singapore’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity in its design. At its centre, the bench features text inspired by the calligraphy of Tan Seow Wei, who brings decades of mastery in Chinese ink painting and seal carving to this collaboration. The bench takes the symbolic shape of a boat, representing the individual’s journey across the seas of life and offers a moment of rest grounded in the pursuit of knowledge, lifelong learning and growth. Scientia reflects the universal and timeless value of knowledge, brought to life through the integration of form, symbolism, and craftsmanship.
Combining sustainability with concrete innovation, the U-shaped bench is handcrafted using low-carbon concrete, which includes waste material such as steel slag. A team of technicians, engineers and scientists from Pan-United built it layer by layer, without formwork - a novel feat in the concrete world. The box-shaped base was 3D printed. Reflecting the project’s eco-conscious spirit, Pan-United incorporated slag recycled from sludge contributed by PUB.
Tran-Slate: Si Beh Lor (Four Horse Road)
This bench by Jesvin Yeo takes its visual cues from the cultural landscape of Waterloo Street, a place shaped by centuries of ritual practice, community life and shared heritage. Inspired by master joss-stick maker Albert Tay, whose craft once produced towering dragon sculptures, the bench features flowing lines that reference the Chinese characters for Si Beh Lor (四马路), transliterated as Four Horse Road in Hokkien dialect the colloquial name for the street.
The use of black is intentional. It draws from the colour of incense ash and the quiet traces left after rituals, evoking a sense of memory and continuity. Set against the white walls and red windows of the Stamford Arts Centre, the bench creates a grounded presence that connects past and present.
Colloquial street names in Singapore are more than directional markers; they hold stories, identities and lived histories. This bench offers both a place to pause and a reminder of the communities and narratives that shape the Bras Basah Bugis (BBB) precinct.
About Tran-Slate
Curated by Justin Loke (Vertical Submarine), Tran-Slate unites tradition and contemporary art through public art benches inspired by the cultural heritage of the BBB precinct. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, these benches transcend functionality to become living expressions of cultural legacy. The hyphen in Tran-Slate symbolises the dynamic exchange between old and new, reflecting the project’s theme of rejuvenating heritage through innovative art and design. It bridges history and modernity, inviting the public to reflect on Singapore’s evolving cultural identity.
