Plaque with anti-smoking message installed at smoking samsui woman mural site in Chinatown

A small plaque bearing an anti-smoking message has been installed at the site of the controversial smoking samsui woman mural in Singapore’s Chinatown, following public debate over its depiction of tobacco use. The plaque, mounted above the signature of American muralist Sean Dunston, explains the artwork’s intended meaning and includes a clear reminder of the health risks of smoking.

Artist explains mural’s cultural context

A correspondent from The Online Citizen who visited the site observed that the plaque describes the mural as an “iconic, vivid composite of a samsui woman in her prime and in a moment of peace”. Samsui women, known for their hard labour on Singapore’s construction sites in the early 20th century, are often portrayed at work or in uncomfortable conditions. The plaque notes that Dunston sought to show the figure at rest, highlighting her youth and connections to family and community through symbolic elements like a Taoist talisman and red thread.

Anti-smoking message added to address concerns

The mural’s most debated feature — the cigarette — remains untouched in the painting. However, the new plaque states clearly that the cigarette depiction “is not intended to glamorise or promote tobacco use”. “Smoking has been shown to be extremely harmful to one’s health,” the message reads. According to state media CNA, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) confirmed on 11 July 2025 that the building’s owner had proposed installing an “interpretive plaque” to convey the mural’s intended message and Singapore’s anti-smoking stance. The mural itself will not be modified. MOH and URA said they worked with the building’s owner to ensure the final wording presented both the cultural and health contexts properly.

Artist and landlord collaborated with URA

Sean Dunston, the mural’s creator, told local media that he wrote the plaque’s text with the building’s landlord and adjusted it following feedback from URA. “I suggested the addition of the anti-smoking part of the text for the plaque, as a way to fulfil the ‘mitigation of any normalisation of smoking the mural may have caused’ part of the stipulated agreement to allow the mural to remain unchanged,” Dunston said. He also chose the plaque’s placement and handled its background and layout. “We had been talking about putting up a plaque for a few months, and there was no rush,” Dunston added, noting that the plaque was installed on 10 July 2025.

Landlord satisfied with resolution

A spokesperson for Shepherd Asset Management, which manages the building at 297 South Bridge Road, said the company was “very happy” with the plaque’s installation. “We hope it helps to contextualise the mural and give viewers more insight on the artistic intention,” the representative told CNA. The spokesperson also thanked URA for its guidance in ensuring the mural does not appear to glamorise smoking. “For us, the plaque is a happy resolution that helps passers-by better appreciate the mural, while also addressing any concerns that some may have,” the spokesperson added.

Authorities decided against altering the mural

In July 2024, MOH and URA had reviewed the mural following public concerns and decided it would be kept without changes. “This is in view of the fact that the mural is not an advertisement for tobacco, which is against the law, and is largely perceived as an art piece,” the agencies said at the time. They also acknowledged the “diverse views from many members of the public” before concluding that the mural did not violate any tobacco advertising laws.

The building owner was fined last year for unauthorised mural work

The building, located in a conserved area of Chinatown, became a topic of discussion last year when the owner was fined for not obtaining URA’s approval before painting the mural. Shepherd Asset Management had previously described the decision to keep the mural as “proof that Singaporeans can hold differing opinions while maintaining our strong sense of community and spirit”.