The Tandok-Tandok Seeds sculpture stands at the entrance to the Seed Bank in Singapore Botanic Gardens. The work, made by Chua Boon Kee and installed in 2019, depicts three seeds of a native climber called Strophanthus caudatus.
If you are arriving at Botanic Gardens MRT, start at Bukit Timah Gate and follow the route to the Seed Bank. The sculpture is outdoors by the building entrance. Make it your first stop before exploring the Seed Dispersal Garden around the building.
- Location The Seed Bank entrance in the Bukit Timah Core.
- Material Brass.
- What to look for Three enlarged seeds and related climbers planted nearby.
Find the sculpture from Bukit Timah Gate
Use the official Gardens map and set the Seed Bank as your destination. Once you reach the building, look for the sculpture near the entrance. NParks also has a sculpture map that begins at Bukit Timah Gate if you want to see several artworks on the same walk.
Look for the plant that inspired the work
NParks lists several Strophanthus species near the sculpture, including the native climber the work depicts. When it is flowering, look for pale, star-shaped flowers with narrow red extensions from the petals. Use the plant labels if you are trying to identify the species.
Turn it into a short seed trail
Start by asking children what shape they can see in each of the three seeds. Then compare the sculpture with the Javan Cucumber Seed or Sea Pong-Pong Seeds in the outdoor garden. Ask which features seem suited to travel by air or by water. If you are also visiting the indoor exhibition, check the Seed Bank’s opening hours separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sculpture inside the Seed Bank?
NParks lists it at the building entrance, outdoors.
Who made the sculpture?
Chua Boon Kee made it in brass.
Is the source plant native to Singapore?
NParks describes Strophanthus caudatus as native and critically endangered in Singapore.