An all-Singapore art market

From small alley ways to the courtyard of Singapore Art Museum, The Local People are pretty nomadic when it comes to hosting their art markets.

The Local People (TLP) is a Singapore start-up that focuses on creating a platform for new local artists, designers and entrepreneurs to showcase their works.

They organise monthly art markets, providing an avenue for new, young artists and designers to sell their art pieces. These artists are usually students or people who are starting to get active in the local arts scene.

“(TLP) is a very broad and general kind of branding which I love because I can do anything with the brand. Anything local goes, but preferably heading more towards the arts scene,” said Pin Goh, the head honcho and founder of TLP.

The first TLP art market was held in a small alley way at Hoot Kiam Road in May 2014. It attracted over 40 local artists and designers, who set up their booths at the market.

“We wanted to create a different kind of event that has never been done in Singapore,” said 31-year-old Pin.

The artists get the chance to meet their consumers face to face and talk to them about their products, so the consumers can understand their works better.

The TLP-organised art markets now host between 80 and 100 vendors, more than double from its first market. Each market attracts between 5,000 and 8,000 people, a whopping leap from their first 1,500 visitors last May.

By hosting these art markets, Pin hopes to “bring the community together and bring art into the neighbourhoods”.

She wants people to be exposed to art through these markets, and feature artists who have yet to be recognised.

“All these people who do not get showcased are the ones who probably have better art than those who are already showcased,” the University of London graduate said.

TLP tries to get new vendors for every art market they organise, to ensure that the community sees different products and experiences different vibes every time.

The art markets are not limited to artsy individuals, but also open to local entrepreneurs, food vendors and musicians.

“I think in the arts scene, you cannot have art without music and music without art. It’s all in sync,” said Pin, who also teaches private guitar lessons.

So, what is Pin’s message to all aspiring artists and entrepreneurs?

“Always create a product which has more of a social activation behind it. Try to bring in the community when you are creating a product.

“Once you get the community involved, they are very supportive. Once they are supportive, I think that makes your project work,” said Pin.