What fuels the creative spirit? Passion – that’s right! Through Passion Pursuits, our short-form documentary series, we’re celebrating the diverse talents of Singaporeans who have overcome challenges and forged their own paths in the creative industry. This time, the spotlight’s on Tobyato, a visionary recently recognised as a “multi-disciplinary artist” by Dazed 100!
The midday sun beats down mercilessly as Tobyato crouches over in his black tank top, beads of sweat gathering at his temples. He steadies his grip, dragging the bristles of his paintbrush across the concrete floor. His bare feet press against the cool ground – a fleeting relief from the sweltering heat.
He pushes through the final stretch, and slowly but surely, the mural comes together. He straightens up, smudges of dried paint clinging to his hands. From higher ground, he takes it all in. A grin tugs at his lips. It’s done.
Spanning three zones in vivid colours, this is Tobyato’s largest floor mural yet – a dynamic piece that doesn’t just decorate but directs, doubling as a wayfinding guide of sorts at TRIFECTA Singapore. This is many, many hours of work condensed into a single piece, but for Tobyato, it’s all in a day’s work of doing what he loves.
The 31-year-old Tobyato (Toby Tan) has become a prominent figure in Singapore’s urban art scene, known for his wall murals, public art installations, and digital graphics. His work is characterised by expressive colours, bold characters, and a fusion of traditional Asian motifs with contemporary influences. At its core, his art aims to make creativity accessible to the public.
And his impact extends far beyond Singapore’s streets! He has collaborated with global brands like ASICS and Samsung and brought his artistic vision to a worldwide audience with murals in cities like Jakarta, Paris, and Los Angeles.
You might recognise his towering two-story mural in Tanjong Pagar, where two vivid swordfishes slice through the skyline, a nod to the district’s history. Or maybe you’ve seen his 2021 collaboration with Casio, where his art leapt off the walls and onto the wrists of G-Shock collectors.
But this wasn’t always the plan.
Tobyato’s journey into art wasn’t some grand blueprint. While waiting to start National Service, he picked up a part-time job as an art teacher at Studio Haroobee – a temporary gig that unexpectedly sparked a newfound passion. Though initially on a science track, he later pivoted to pursue art at Nanyang Technological University – and the rest is history.
When you see a Tobyato work, it is distinctly him—but Tobyato’s style didn’t emerge overnight; it never does. “I think style is not something you decide. Style is something you develop,” he reflects. Much of his inspiration stems from childhood visits to temples, where he was captivated by the decorative elements and cultural heritage.
These influences bleed into his creations, like in Sneaker Stone Lions, a project for Sneakertopia Asia where guardian lion sculptures take on sneaker-inspired details – shoelaces, stitching, tongues – all worked into their mythical forms.
But having grown up in Singapore, a city where pursuing an art career is often seen as impractical, Tobyato’s seen this lingering notion firsthand. “When you say you’re an artist, it usually draws more questions than answers,” he says. Many people admire artworks in galleries or hotels but struggle to see how they translate into sustainable careers. “They just see it on a white wall, and that’s it.”
That perception, he believes, comes from a lack of understanding of what it truly means to be an artist. And as someone who enjoys street culture not just in his personal life, but as a working creative, Tobyato believes street culture collaborations are a great way to shift this widespread mindset.
In fact, they even changed his own family’s perception of his career! Because when brands like Nike, adidas and UNIQLO come knocking, conversations change – and it gets harder to dismiss art as just a hobby. Commercial projects are the “antithesis” of the starving artist stereotype, as Tobyato puts it!
Despite his success, you won’t find Tobyato chasing traditional exhibitions or setting up in galleries. That’s just not his lane. He prefers the streets. The brands. The collaborations. There are countless paths for an artist to take, and he has always leaned towards the commercial side.
The beauty of the art industry is that no two careers look the same – so it’s easy to see why Tobyato fancies the idea of artist collaborations. “It’s two artists coming together to do something that they cannot do alone.”
Case in point? WHADDA…, an artistic collective formed in 2017 by Tobyato and visual artist Muhammad Izdi. While Tobyato’s bold, colourful, and accessible street art aesthetic captures immediate attention, Izdi’s conceptual storytelling explores deeper cultural narratives through various media. Together, their contrasting yet complementary styles breathe life into their shared works inspired by mythology and folklore.
Tobyato’s belief in collaboration also extends to his broader view of artistic recognition. He shared a sentiment from another artist – that some artists chase fame for the sake of clout, but artists who are truly passionate chase fame so they can do more work.
“It’s surreal that people follow my work and care about what I put out,” he admits. But at the end of the day, it’s the ability to keep creating that drives him, in a world fixated on social media metrics.
Now, this may come as a surprise, but Tobyato only received formal art education later in life. He often felt like he was constantly trying to “catch up,” but rather than seeing it as a setback, he used it as motivation to “propel” himself forward.
Even now, with a name that turns heads in the art world, Tobyato hasn’t outgrown imposter syndrome. And to him, that’s a good thing! Instead of viewing it as something to overcome, he welcomes it.
“If I don’t feel imposter syndrome for this project, [it] means I feel very prepared for it – then there’s a very high chance I might be overconfident and not do my best, ” he shares. Rather than as a sign of doubt, he sees it as a chance to keep evolving as an artist and stay sharp.
We often associate imposter syndrome with insecurity, but in Tobyato’s book, it’s a driving force for ambition. The work never stops. The doubts don’t either. But that’s what keeps him moving as he continues to shape his path in the industry.
Hear from Tobyato himself!
This was just a quick glimpse of Tobyato’s journey! Wanna hear from the man himself and see him in action? Watch the full episode on the Passion Pursuits YouTube channel, where he takes on his largest floor mural yet at TRIFECTA Singapore.
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Cover Photo by Passion Pursuits. Additional Visuals Courtesy of @qhventures, G-SHOCK, and Tobyato.
