“Saw this uncle singing and painting on umbrellas, so cute!” wrote TikTok user @arethalzy in a video that warmed netizens’ hearts. The video showed a man surrounded by colourful umbrellas, which he painted, all the while singing into a microphone.
The man stopped and turned to look at the camera at one moment. “Panicked and stopped recording when he turned to look at me,” wrote @arethalzy. “But he was really friendly and smiled and nodded at me.”
@arethalzy
Comments on the video quickly piled up, with netizens asking for the uncle’s location. “Buying all, be right back,” wrote a TikTok user.
The original poster said he was near Tiong Bahru Plaza.
“Is he selling them? I would love to buy it and shower him with some love and support,” said TikTok user THY199.
Many were also impressed at the man’s artistic skills, noting the umbrellas were beautifully painted.
According to TikTok user @kenneth., the uncle can also be seen near Clementi MRT station outside Clementi Mall.
With some online digging, it appears that the street artist is named Akira Takahashi.
Facebook user Joseph Chin posted information about Mr Takahashi on May 13, noting the artist paints as a hobby, raising funds for animal shelters.
“Akira is friendly and smiled readily for my picture. I think I’m gonna commission him to paint some of the local scenes as depicted in ‘life in Singapore’, a guidebook for the common life,” he added.
Here are a few ways to contact Mr Takahashi for those also interested in purchasing some beautifully designed umbrellas. /TISG
https://theindependent.sg/president-halimah-yacob-inaugurates-solo-exhibit-of-cultural-medallion-winner-artist-goh-beng-kwan/