The Gardens' many freestanding sculptures, including the Swiss Granite Fountain with its ever-revolving stone ball that is irresistible to children, add life and vigor to the site's natural grace. Catch many more of such delightful donated art-works in the Gardens.

 

Chang Kuda

 

 

 

 

Sculptor: Chong Fah Cheong

Donated by: Asia Pacific Breweries

Year Installed: 2011

Located at: Lawn E

Description: “Chang Kuda” (“chang” means “to carry” and “kuda” is horse in Malay) is the name of a very popular game children played in the 1950s and 1960s. These were seemingly carefree days when children came home from school and immediately rushed out to play (and ‘horsed' around), their fun limited only by their imagination and mischief.

 

Chopin

 

 

Sculptor: Karol Badyna

Donated by: Polish Embassy

Year Installed: 2008

Located at: Heliconia Walk

Description: This sculpture is a gift from the people of Poland to Singapore, in memory of music's greatest tone poets. It is made possible by the generous support of Halina and Miroslaw Pienkowski as well as the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore.

 

Clock Tower

 

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 1998

Located at: Orchid Plaza, outside National Orchid Garden

Description: To commemorate the opening of the Gardens' Visitor Centre in 1998, Lady McNeice commissioned a Clock Tower. Standing 3.5 metres in height from a 0.7 metre granite base, this majestic steel art piece is designed by Mr Eng Siak Loy who took his inspiration from the elegant Sealing Wax Palm, the logo of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. In 2014, the Clock Tower was relocated to the Orchid Plaza, outside National Orchid Garden.

 

Conversation – From Nature

 

 

Sculptor: Lee Soo Hong

Donated by: Korean Embassy of Singapore

Year Installed: 2011

Located at: Heliconia Walk

Description: This sculpture shows the Rose of Sharon – the Korean National Flower on one side and the Vanda Miss Joaquim – the Singapore National Flower on the other side. These two images meet each other as a circle symbolising not only the smooth and developing exchanges between the two countries but also the communication through the conversations of human beings with nature with the circle representing the source of conversation, sound. This sculpture was originally exhibited in the Nature Borne Sculpture exhibition held in the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 2009.

 

Cranes

 

 

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 1995

Located at: Inside National Orchid Garden

Description: These elegant cranes were one of the congratulatory gifts presented to the Gardens when the National Orchid Garden (NOG) opened in 1995. Surrounded by beautiful orchid species, they stand at the entrance to NOG, welcoming and wishing all visitors good health and longevity.

 

Elephant

 

 

Sculptor: Ephraim Chaurika

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 2003

Located at: Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad House, NOG

Description: Unexpected grace in such a big animal is captured in this endearing piece. The elephant's warm and friendly face makes it a popular partner to pose with as well.

 

Fan Palm Fountain

 

 

Sculptor: Garth Bowden

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 2000

Located at: Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad House, NOG

Description: The artwork depicts the gentle pitter-patter of tickling water. Notice how the fan palms blend perfectly into the green background, with only the continuous flow of water trickling down smoothly from their many narrow leaves giving them away.

 

Farfugium Fountain

 

 

Sculptor: Dr Humphrey Bowden

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 2000

Located at:Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad House, NOG

Description: The warm oxide colour of the Farfugium Fountain harmonises with the surrounding bromeliad collection, adding to the realism of this sculpture like that of the Fan Palm Fountain (above).

 

Fifty Wings

 

Sculptor: James Surls

Donated by: Dr Helmut Sohmen & Anna Sohmen

Year Installed: 2015

Located at: Forest Plaza, exit of Rain Forest overlooking the entrance to the National Orchid Garden

Description: The 3m-high bronze and stainless steel sculpture was inspired by the seed of the Dipterocarp tree found in the Gardens.It features 50 wings which represents 50 years of independence of Singapore.

 

 

Flight of Swans

 

Sculptor: Eng Siak Loy

Year Installed: 2006

Located at: Swan Lake, Tanglin Entrance

Description: Cast from bronze, this flight of swans are seen taking off from the centre of Swan Lake.

 

Geese

 

 

Donated by: Tan Jiew Hoe

Year Installed: 1995

Located at: Swan Lake

Description: If you are lucky enough, you might be able to catch terrapins basking under the warm glow of the sun beside the sculpture.

 

Girl on a Bicycle

 

 

Sculptor: Sydney Harpley

Donated by: David Marshall

Year Installed: 1987

Located at: Lawn O

Description: The Girl on a Bicycle (1987) has the same carefree spirit as the Girl on a Swing (below). With her legs lifted free of the pedals in joyful abandon, she wheels down the path of a spiraling hedge and catching the envious eyes of visitors.

 

Girl on a Swing

 

 

Sculptor: Sydney Harpley

Donated by: David Marshall

Year Installed: 1984

Located at: Lawn O

Description: For this life-sized cast-bronze Girl on a Swing (1984), the sculptor used a local model dressed in the traditional sarong kebaya. The figure is so mounted as to give the impression of swinging out in mid-air over a bed of brightly-coloured flowering shrubs, creating overall an effect of great zest and freedom of movement.

 

Joy

 

Sculptor: Ruth Bloch

Donated by: A friend of the Gardens

Year Installed: 2005

Located at: Lawn E

Description: In July 2005, “Joy” arrived in the Gardens as a donation by a member of the public who wishes to remain anonymous. It is a sculpture in bronze about 2.1m tall. A stylised nude of a mother holding her child high in the air, “Joy” celebrates love, life and laughter.

 

Lady on a Hammock

 

 

Sculptor: Sydney Harpley

Donated by: David Marshall

Year Installed: 1990

Located at: Lawn J

Description: The Lady on a Hammock (1989), the third of the sculptures commissioned by Mr David Marshall depicts a sultry maiden reclining in a hammock. A beautiful sight especially when the flowers of the surrounding greenery come into full bloom. This is a congratulatory gift for the Gardens' 130th anniversary.

 

Little Girl with Shell

 

 

Sculptor: Vanessa Marston

Donated by: Lady Yuen Peng McNeice

Year Installed: 2001

Located at: Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad House, NOG

Description: Next to the Farfugium Fountain, is a little girl taking a very close look at the treasure she has found, leaving onlookers mesmerised by her rapt curiosity in nature. 

 

Mystree

 

 

Sculptor: Zadok Ben-David

Donated by: Dr Rosslyn Leong

Year Installed: 2007

Located at: Entrance of Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

Description: This intriguing sculpture is a gift to the Children's Garden by Dr Rosslyn Leong. Made up of more than 500 little figurines, visitors are immediately captivated by the towering sculpture that fronts the Children's Garden.

 

Nurturing

 

Sculptor: Vanessa Marston

Donated by: Myrna and Ivy Thomas

Year Installed: 2011

Located at: Frangipani Lawn

Description: Donated in memory of her late mother, Doris Thomas who loved the Gardens. The sculptures symbolises her love of plants and people.

 

Passing of Knowledge

 

 

Sculptor: Victor Tan Wee Tar

Donated by: Rotary Club of Singapore and Crocodile

Year Installed: 2005

Located at: Sun Garden

Description: From father to son, water – which symbolises knowledge in this sculpture (2003), is passed on from generation to generation. Local sculptor Victor Tan Wee Tar uses the metamorphosis to promote interpersonal relationships for our future generations. While you are here, try the 4-Way Test and reflect upon your relationship with your family.

The 4-Way Test:

Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Sundials @ National Orchid Garden

 

 

Sculptor: Westwood Dials

Donated by: Mdm Looi Eng San

Year Installed: 1995

Located at: Inside National Orchid Garden

Description: This pair of sundials was one of the congratulatory gifts presented to the Gardens when the National Orchid Garden opened in 1995.

 

The Sundial @ Sundial Garden

 

 

Sculptor: Ursula Holttum

Year Installed: 1929

Located at: Sundial Garden

Description: Designed by the late wife of Eric Holttum, the sundial, despite having endured much wear and tear over the years, still retains its original glory and charm, spreading a sense of well-worn tranquility and presence around the beautiful garden. Carved figures can be spotted on four sides of the sundial's base, but only two of their identities are known. The identities of a mysteriously robed woman and a turbaned male figure holding a candle or lantern, remain a puzzle.

 

Swing Me Mama

 

 

Sculptor: Dominic Benhura

Donated by: Rotary Club of Singapore

Year Installed: 2005

Located at: Near Swan Lake

Description: Swing Me Mama was sculpted by Dominic Benhura in 1995 using serpentine (spring stone). His inspiration for the sculpture sprung when he was swinging his kids. Situated at a spot popular among mothers with toddlers, the sculpture fits seamlessly into its surrounding setting.

 

Swiss Granite Fountain

 

 

Sculptor: Ueli Fausch

Year Installed: 2005

Located at: Junction between Lawn D and J

Description: This fountain was donated by the Swiss Community in Singapore in 1991 to celebrate the 700th Anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. The granite ball, which took Swiss sculptor Mr Ueli Fausch three months to hand sculpt, measures 80 cm in diameter and weighs 700 kg. It fits perfectly into a 3-tonne basal block. Both were made from granite from Switzerland.

The ball is kept "afloat" by strong water pressure directed through the basal block.The constant spinning of the ball represents people striving for excellence.