Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel

Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel is the outcome of Kay Saputra’s residency at INSTINC’s Artist-in-Residence program, where he presents a series of screen-printed works inspired by the diverse manhole cover designs found throughout Singapore. Rooted in his ongoing semi-research during travels across Asia, Kay began with a hypothesis: that walkable cities with accessible public transportation often reflect a higher level of care in the design of public infrastructures. Among these overlooked elements are manhole covers, a ubiquitous objects encountered on any pedestrian journey.

His fascination with manhole covers was first sparked by Japanese pop culture, where a niche yet enthusiastic community celebrates the artistry of such everyday infrastructure. This curiosity led him to observe and document manhole covers in various cities across Indonesia and other Asian countries. In cities like Bangkok, Seoul, and Hong Kong, he noted a distinct correlation between transit accessibility and the aesthetic attention given to public utilities.

When Kay arrived in Singapore, he was presented with a notable divergence. Beyond tourist-centric areas like Gardens by the Bay, Joo Chiat Heritage Town, and Orchard Road, most manhole covers were utilitarian, bearing only agency stamps or service company logos, with minimal decorative effort.

Rather than viewing this as a contradiction, the experience prompted a shift in perspective. For Kay, these plain covers began to reveal something deeper. In contrast to the ornate designs found elsewhere, Singapore’s manhole covers mirror the city’s values: speed, functionality, and efficiency. Here, beauty is not prioritized in objects that already fulfill their purpose, a reflection, perhaps, of a culture that prizes utility over embellishment.

Through this body of work, Kay Saputra invites viewers to reconsider the overlooked and often invisible aspects of the built environment. His screen-prints do not merely document manhole covers, they render visible the ideological underpinnings of urban design and the cultural narratives encoded in material surfaces.

/ About Artist /

Kay Saputra (b. 2001) is an Indonesian artist based between Jakarta and Yogyakarta. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a focus on Printmaking from Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta. Beyond his academic training, he deepened his practice at Krack! Printmaking Studio, a leading contemporary printmaking space in Yogyakarta, where he refined both his technical skills and artistic vision. He is also a member of Titik Kumpul Forum, a Yogyakarta-based art collective composed of 12 other artists.

Kay’s recent works explore fragments of space time encountered during his transit across Asia. Through a distinct and curious lens, he explores how visual elements and design in everyday life both consciously and unconsciously reflect the cultural environments that shape them. By recontextualizing these fragments into his visual practice, he is paying homage to the inanimate, the mundane, and the overlooked, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the ordinary.

/ About INSTINC Space /

Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC stands as a leading artist-run-institution based in Singapore.

With a distinguished presence in the arts ecosystem, INSTINC diligently sustains the growth of contemporary art through exhibitions, residency programs and curations. Their esteemed Artist-in-Residence program has cultivated invaluable regional and international networks from 2009 to now. INSTINC is celebrated for producing immersive, large-scale exhibitions that encompass installation, new media, performance, painting and sculpture, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expressions.

Notable collaborations include partnerships with renowned brands such as Volvo and Guinness, further demonstrating INSTINC's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary exchanges. Moreover, INSTINC takes immense pride in organizing the highly anticipated INSTINC D:Art Festival 2022, generously supported by UOB Bank and the NAC start fund.

Delve into a diverse array of captivating exhibitions and projects curated by INSTINC, featuring stunning installations, innovative new media works, mesmerizing performances, evocative paintings, and captivating sculptures. With expertises in exhibition curation, commissioned works and brand alliances, INSTINC endeavors as a vital presence in the cultivation of contemporary art.