LYDIA YANG

A local muralist (aka oak & bindi) known for her 90s-style graphics and hand-drawn fonts.

Lydia’s favourite commissioned mural is a piece for Gastrosmiths (pictured), a bistro located along Tan Quee Lan Street.

If you’ve walked along Haji Lane, or popped by Yoga Movement’s Orchard 22 outlet for a class of hot yoga, you might have seen one of Lydia Yang’s works. The muralist’s cheerful and bold graphics, paired with handwritten typography, add zest (and street cred) to a space and are quite hard to miss. The Temasek Polytechnic design graduate goes by the moniker Oak & Bindi; and since her first commissioned mural at Rockstar Singapore in 2014, has steadily received praise and recognition for her 90s’ cartoon-inspired style. Now, you’ll see her work at eateries, fashion stores, and, more recently, homes.

You recently completed a mural for a playroom. Should more people have murals at home?

The homeowner asked me to do a piece for her three kids, which I thought was really sweet. The new generation of parents is more open to creative designs, such as murals, in their homes. I believe it’s a personal choice, and a luxury to have one commissioned for your home.

Inspired by the cartoons and games of the 90s, Lydia used images of Nintendo’s Super Mario and Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog in this playroom mural.

What do you like about 90s’ cartoons?

I enjoy a good 90s’ illustration, and am intrigued by the colours and the customised type and graphics that represented each episode. I visualise old cartoons as I work.

How do you combine the essence of a brand with your personal design style?

The brands that reach out to me usually already vibe with my style. The clients give me free reign, unless they have their own idea – which isn’t a bad thing for me! If there is proper communication both ways, the end product would not take too long to reach.

Some of Lydia’s works include a mural (pictured) for local streetwear store Seek, a video production company in New York, and music festivals.

How does working in public feel?

I was painting a mural at Haji Lane, when someone stopped the cab she was in to come up and say she knew my work through Instagram, and that she loved it! Little things such as receiving a compliment from strangers give me good vibes. More people should be more outspoken and encouraging like that.

What does a mural symbolise?

It symbolises recognition of an artistic culture, and the appreciation of a hand-painted piece over a print.

See what else l ydia is w orking on, at www.cargocollective.com oakandbindi, and on her inst agram account @oakandbindi.