In an era where the art market is often defined by record-breaking auctions and digital tokens, a new public installation in Singapore is proposing a radical shift in value. Starting March 14, OH! Open House will present Marking Punggol at The Cove, Punggol Waterway Point. This exhibition features 99 original sculptures by renowned Thai contemporary artist Mit Jai Inn, but there is a catch: not a single piece is for sale. Instead, residents can only “purchase” these works by pledging hundreds of hours of community service to Punggol-based social causes.
A New Currency for the Arts
The initiative aims to transform the concept of art ownership into a badge of civic duty. By stripping away the monetary barrier, the organizers hope to foster a deeper sense of neighborhood investment. This is the second iteration of the concept; last year’s Marking Matters? saw 32 volunteers contribute a staggering 10,000 hours to various sectors, including animal welfare and emergency services. This year, the goal remains just as ambitious, with a target of another 10,000 hours dedicated exclusively to the Punggol community.
Choosing Your Masterpiece
The 99 papier-mâché sculptures are inspired by the form of a humble home stool, rendered in Mit Jai Inn’s signature vibrant, textured palette. The “price tag” for each work depends on its scale:
- Small sculptures: 80 volunteer hours
- Medium sculptures: 100 volunteer hours
- Large sculptures: 300 volunteer hours
Participants aren’t just buying a decorative object; they are earning a trophy that commemorates their labor in mentoring, caregiving, or community organizing.
How to Get Involved
To participate, visitors must visit the exhibition at Punggol Waterway Point between March 14 and March 29, 2026. After selecting a piece and declaring a pledge, prospective owners must attend a mandatory briefing on March 29 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at The Cove to finalize the process.
The volunteer hours must be completed between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Participants can choose from several curated local partners, including:
- Heritage Activation Node at Punggol (HAN@Punggol): Focuses on local history and culture.
- Blood Bank @ One Punggol: Assisting with vital healthcare logistics.
- Enabling Services Hub @ Punggol: Supporting residents with disabilities.
- SG Care Services @ Punggol by Allkin Singapore: General community welfare.
Celebrating Local Heritage
The launch of Marking Punggol aligns with the first anniversary of the Heritage Activation Node (HAN@Punggol), a collaborative effort between the National Heritage Board (NHB) and OH! Open House. By tying contemporary art to local heritage and social services, the project seeks to prove that the most valuable thing a resident can give their neighborhood isn’t money—it’s their presence.
Admission to the exhibition is free, and no prior registration is required to view the works. For those looking to redefine their relationship with their neighborhood, this might be the most rewarding “investment” of the year. For more details, visit the OH! Open House website.