Pek Kio twig artist Uncle Thien dies aged 83, remembered for transforming fallen twigs into art
Uncle Thien (程玉麟), the beloved Pek Kio "twig artist" known for creating intricate portraits from fallen twigs, has died aged 83. Tributes have poured in following news of his passing, celebrating a retiree whose temporary artworks left a lasting impression on generations of Singaporeans.
- Uncle Thien (程玉麟), Pek Kio's celebrated twig artist, died on 1 July 2026 at the age of 83 after a recent illness.
- His intricate portraits, created from fallen twigs and recycled materials, became a familiar sight and symbol of the Pek Kio community.
- Tributes from public figures and residents praised his creativity, humility and the lasting impact of his temporary public artworks.
SINGAPORE: The beloved Pek Kio street artist Uncle Thien (程玉麟), whose intricate portraits created from fallen twigs became a familiar sight in the neighbourhood, has died aged 83.
His passing on 1 July was announced by Tanjong Pagar GRC Member of Parliament Alvin Tan in a tribute shared on 2 July, prompting an outpouring of condolences from residents and admirers across Singapore.
Alvin Tan, who is also Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, described Uncle Thien as a treasured member of the Pek Kio community.
"Many of us will be familiar with Uncle Thien, Pek Kio's famous 'twig artist' who used to create wonderful works of art on concrete," Tan wrote.
He said creating art brought Uncle Thien immense happiness.
"He was happiest doing that. Finding a quiet spot, putting twigs together and creating his works of art."
A familiar figure in Pek Kio
Tan revealed that residents had previously offered Uncle Thien a dedicated space at Pek Kio Community Centre and the Pek Kio Residents' Network Centre to continue his work.
However, he politely declined the offers, preferring to continue creating his portraits outdoors.
"Even when we offered Uncle Thien a space in Pek Kio Community Centre or our Pek Kio RN centre, he politely refused so we respected his wishes," Tan said.
He added that Uncle Thien had recently been unwell before passing away.
Tan also attended the wake, where he met Uncle Thien's family.
"They told us how he felt so at home here with us. It warmed my heart," he wrote.
Turning everyday materials into portraits
A retired hawker, Uncle Thien discovered his passion for twig art after watching sand art on television.
Speaking in a media interview in 2020, he explained that retirement because of asthma left him searching for something meaningful to occupy his time.
As he noticed fallen twigs scattered around his neighbourhood, he decided to "就地取材", making use of materials readily available in his surroundings.
Besides twigs, he incorporated fragments of rock and colourful pieces of discarded plastic into his portraits.
Small stones often became the eyes of his subjects, while curved pieces of plastic formed lips and facial features.
Many of his works depicted characters resembling figures from Chinese period dramas. Some portraits also featured captions arranged with twigs, spelling out names including famous Chinese female emperor Wu Zetian (武则天) during Zhou and Tang dynasties, and Hong Kong actress Fung Bo Bo.
He once shared that the eyes were the most difficult part of every portrait and that each artwork typically took about an hour to complete.
A life shaped by art and perseverance
Born in Singapore, Uncle Thien moved with his parents to their ancestral home in Fujian, China, when he was about seven years old.
During his youth, he joined a Gaojia opera troupe, where he performed and helped build stage sets, experiences that nurtured his artistic abilities.
At the age of 18, he returned to Singapore and later earned a living selling ban mian before eventually retiring.
To improve his portraits, Uncle Thien frequently visited hair salons by foot, bicycle or bus to study photographs of different hairstyles, drawing inspiration for future creations.
Away from the streets, he also enjoyed watching cooking programmes and art videos online.
Tributes celebrate a lasting legacy
Following news of his death, social media was filled with tributes from people who had encountered Uncle Thien and his distinctive artworks over the years.
Many shared photographs taken while he quietly assembled portraits on pavements using twigs and other discarded materials, describing his work as a unique part of Singapore's street culture.
One tribute read, "Even though his art was temporary, the joy it brought was permanent," while echoing the sentiment that "he felt at home here".
Others recalled stopping to watch him work decades ago.
A former Rangoon Secondary School student remembered gathering with classmates whenever they spotted Uncle Thien creating another portrait in public.
Many described both the artist and his creations as "iconic", saying they would be dearly missed.
