SINGAPORE – Creative collective GOFY, a team of Southeast Asian visual artists, have created printable poster templates in a first-of-its-kind initiative to spread positive messages of encouragement, strength and unity using contact tracing posters. Businesses and services that are allowed to operate in Phase 1 can choose from a collection of free-to-download artworks available on their website at www.ProjectQRArt.com, then insert their unique QR codes to print and display at their venues.
Called Project #QRArt, this community-driven initiative is conceptualised and curated by GOFY, who intends for the posters to be used for contact tracing efforts by businesses and services such as workplaces, healthcare facilities, residential and community-based care facilities, educational institutions, malls and supermarkets.
Raising spirits through bright and cheerful art
The idea came about when the founder of GOFY, Mr. Jason Ho, observed that the current SafeEntry posters on display were plain and unappealing. “Since all Singaporeans would be looking at and scanning these posters everyday, I saw an opportunity to make something necessary and practical more inspiring and impactful. Through this project, we hope that art can engage the community while innovating for a better, safer environment.”
“Imagine these posters at places such as clinics or nursing homes, where they can brighten up the seemingly endless days of our healthcare heroes. Or at preschools, where it can bring smiles to young children trying to cope with these confusing and stressful times. Ultimately, we wanted to play our part to spread positivity through art, while making the work of these talented artists more accessible for all to enjoy. We will be working with more Southeast Asian artists in the coming weeks to create more artwork for the public,” says GOFY’s curator, Ms. Tiffany Soh.
Those who spot the artworks around Singapore are encouraged to share about the project on social media using the hashtag #QRArt, to inspire more businesses and services to display the posters at their locations.
Appreciating art beyond gallery walls
GOFY hopes that Project #QRArt will encourage more Singaporeans to appreciate the arts and creative cultures, as well as instill a sense of pride in our talented local and Southeast Asian artists. Each poster includes the artist credit and a brief artist statement, in a move to invite the general public to actively discover and learn more about the art community in Southeast Asia.
As contact tracing efforts will likely be a key part of our daily lives for the foreseeable future, GOFY intends to keep the project ongoing, and new artworks by other artists will be created, shared around and displayed. They also plan to bring the project to other Southeast Asian countries where contact tracing measures are implemented, by working with local community partners.
