Virtual Mural
Welcome to our Virtual Mural space, where we celebrate and and pay tribute to our beloved murals from the old Substation building through crowdfunding! With the redevelopment of 45 Armenian, the physical murals may soon disappear, but the art, community, and memories remain here forever.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS: Almost Asthma’s virtual mural. Re-purposed with permission from the artist, 16 September 2025.
ART SHOULD COMFORT THE DISTURBED X DISTURB THE COMFORTABLE
Detail of the physical mural, photographed in 2024.
What’s your spirit animal? In September 2024, The Substation launched a virtual mural-building crowdfunding campaign to re-create the classic mural by artist-illustrator Almost Asthma — a collection of her signature-style cartoon animals floating around a window by the side of our old building, anchored by the famous line by Mexican poet, educator, and activist, Cesar A Cruz.
Over $14,500 raised, 20 animals unlocked
From a starting donation of $50, animals get “unlocked” onto the digital space abvove and named after their kind benefactors. A total of $14,508 was raised, revealing 20 animal characters through the support of 19 individuals during the campaign period. Another 10 animals await their spirit humans – would you help us unveil them and complete our Virtual Mural?
Help unlock the rest of the Virtual Mural!
To unlock your own spirit animal, choose from any of these fun animal characters and donate the respective pledge amount.
Just choose from the icons below and click on the Donate link to make a donation via the PayNow details provided. Remember to type ‘DONATE <your contact number>’ in the comments/reference section during the transfer and send us a screenshot of your transaction to outreach@substation.org.
The Mural's Story
Almost Asthma’s physical mural is one among many along the alley between 45 Armenian Street and the Peranakan Museum, photographed in 2024.
Commissioned by The Substation in 2020, the original artwork features the famous line, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” - often attributed to British street artist Banksy though in fact originated from the Mexican poet, Cesar A Cruz. True to The Substation’s mission, the artist Toh Bee Suan was given the creative space to use her own visual language under her moniker, Almost Asthma.
The mural was an integral part of The Sub, adorning our walls and serving as an artistic statement that sparked curiosity and continuing photo-opportunities for many a passersby. It inspired meaningful projects as Almost Asthma evolved in her illustration & tattoo art, reflecting our commitment to nurturing creativity.
I’m pleased with how after so many years it's still a crowd pleaser! ~ Toh Bee Suan, Sep 2025
Public mural by Toh Bee Suan
Alley along 45 Armenian Street, Singapore
Commissioned by The Substation, 2020
For more about Almost Asthma, visit her website almostasthma.com.