Art is a shared experience and artists in Brunei have in recent years taken their art forms to public spaces, transforming them from drab to fab. Graffiti and outdoor art are increasingly appreciated as a creative art form, accepted for bringing not just freshness and colour to public spaces but also insights into Brunei’s culture, history and the artistic expressions of the younger generation.

When crude oil was discovered in 1929 in the town of Seria, it became the driving force behind Brunei’s economy. In 1991, the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company built the Billionth Barrel Monument to commemorate the one billionth barrel of oil extracted from the Seria oil field. The walkway to the monument is flanked by 15 concrete columns on each side. Every column has a side covered in colourful artwork, each an interpretation of the oil and gas industry by a local artist.

The monument’s location by the beach is near the site of the first oil well in the field. If you are interested in capturing a piece of this country’s oil production history and the remnants of early oil drilling mechanisms, a visit to the monument will provide both. Nodding donkeys in their deep green colour still stand in the fields nearby, some continue to pump away with their gentle rhythmic nodding. At dusk, the site is awash in brilliant shades of the sun, complementing the colours on the walkway to this important monument.

The skateboarders in Bandar Seri Begawan have a place to call their own – the skate park located near the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. Officially named Taman Budiman, it is, however, fondly known as the Skatedium among local skaters. As it is the domain of the young, restless and agile, the park is suitably decked out to reflect the energy of the youth. Graffiti artists have made this little corner of the stadium their studio and leave their artistic expressions on the concrete ramps and walls for the benefit of the skaters and general public.

The art is usually abstract but sometimes there are recognisable cartoon characters or popular figures. The artwork is often vibrant and whimsical but sometimes they are muted and dark, it all depends on the artists of the moment. Don’t expect to see the same artwork after a few months as the park is an ever-changing canvas on which the artists are eager to work on. Whatever the updates, you can be sure there will always be something imaginative and conversational!

Editor: Xie Mingshan