Singapore Matchboxes

Singapore Matchboxes

Image by j u s t i n . z
These matchboxes are part of the collection of Mr Yeo Hong Eng. Matchboxes used to be a medium for advertising and graphic design in Singapore before they started dying out from the '80s.

Prosperity

Image by T_A_X_I_
"We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation."

Inspired by famous video games from our childhood, the illustration of this poster shows a character jumping up to earn a coin by using its head to hit a block containing it.

This simple visual metaphor of gameplay represents the obstacles (shown by the silver pipe ahead of the character) and uncertainties (shown by the '?' block) we face in real life when we work hard, and the knowledge and creativity we need (in our head) as we work smart. What we hope to achieve here, is prosperity (the coin).

Justice & Equality

Image by T_A_X_I_
"We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation."

Justice and equality is represented by the figure of Justice holding scales and a sword that appears in the centre of the tympanum at the former supreme court of Singapore. The scales represent fairness and balance and the sword are symbols of
enforced justice.

Unity

Image by T_A_X_I_
"We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation."

The illustration in this poster shows 4 rangers (representing the 4 major races of Singapore) of different colours working together to defeat a common enemy (in this case, a monster made up of threats and crises faced by our nation). This artwork is inspired by well-known comic superhero teams as they all possess and promote the idea of unity.

Democracy

Image by T_A_X_I_
"We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation."

This design depicts fists of different colours punching the air, portraying the equal access and rights to power by all citizens, and that all citizens enjoy legitimized freedoms and liberties.