Norwegian Exchange Student Finds Legal Graffiti Space at NTU

A Norwegian exchange student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was surprised to discover a designated wall where graffiti could legally be created.

Marcus Olnes, 21, is studying Business and Computing at NTU for one semester. After arriving in Singapore on Aug 3, he began looking for places where he could spray paint legally.

While exploring the campus, Olnes spotted a wall outside the School of Art, Design and Media covered in colourful graffiti. A sign on the wall indicated that it was a designated spray-painting area.

The discovery caught him off guard, given Singapore’s strict laws on unauthorised graffiti. Under the Vandalism Act, writing, drawing or painting on public or private property without the required authority or consent can be an offence.

Wanting to make sure he had permission, Olnes first asked about the wall on the NTU subreddit. When other students were unable to confirm whether it was allowed, he approached the School of Art, Design and Media directly.

Staff confirmed that he could paint there, allowing him to proceed with his artwork.

Olnes spent about two hours creating his piece on Sunday (Sept 13). The work features his graffiti tag in bubble lettering alongside the words “Oslo to Singapore!”

He later shared photos of the completed work on Reddit and Instagram, where other users responded positively to the piece.

Olnes has been practising graffiti since 2020 and has drawn graffiti letters and characters since childhood. In Norway, he runs a sole proprietorship and takes on commissioned artwork, logo design and workshops.

He had originally planned to paint at Somerset Skate Park, one of the locations where spray painting is permitted in Singapore. However, the NTU wall was more convenient because he lives on campus.

The exchange student said he has since discovered other legal places to paint in Singapore and hopes to create more artwork during his stay.

For Olnes, the experience offered an unexpected way to combine his interest in graffiti with his semester abroad in Singapore.