Event specialists The Local People have a rep for putting the spotlight on lesser-known names on the Singapore craft scene. Why? Talking to them, it’s easy to tell. They truly think Singapore artisans are the bee’s knees.
Event specialists The Local People have a rep for putting the spotlight on lesser-known names on the Singapore craft scene. Why? Talking to them, it’s easy to tell. They truly think Singapore artisans are the bee’s knees.
You could say The Local People support, well, local. The duo, consisting of 33-year-old Pin Goh and 29-year-old Lu Yawen, started organising pop-up art markets in 2014 that gave Singapore artisans a place to hawk their wares – whether it was homemade food, handcrafted leather goods or illustrated greeting cards.
“At the time, there weren’t many people championing the local scene or one-stop shops for all things local,” says Pin, adding that the craft scene here was burgeoning.
Among the betterknown names they championed early on were Momolato (known for its wacky popsicle and gelato flavours), Second Helpings (homemade peanut butter), and printmaker Ong Lijie.
So far, the pair has organised more than 30 art markets where more than 90 per cent of the vendors are local. The other defining feature of the brand is its penchant for selecting gritty, unconventional locations: Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, a carpark in Golden Mile Tower, and an alleyway in Hoot Kiam Road. It’s a way to showcase less-wellknown places here.
The next step, Pin says, is to create experiences around the spaces, by way of interactive elements – like art installations, and letting bedroom musicians showcase their talents.
Above all, The Local People is still about giving artisans here a boost. “People aren’t as wide-eyed as before when it comes to locally designed goods,” says Pin, adding that it’s why talent has to be showcased in a way that keeps crowds coming back for more.
TEXT HOE I YUNE PHOTOS PIN GOH & LU YAWEN
