Neon artist Megan Foo aka Maegzter on how she came to master the art of neon and showcasing her works at the Singapore Night Festival 2025

Art comes in many different forms and while most of us may be familiar with the traditional mediums such as sculptures and paintings, 29-year-old Neon Artist Megan Foo aka Maegzter is single-handedly changing how neon lighting can be viewed as an evocative form of art than a stereotypical, tacky prop of the ’80s.

Despite having always loved art as a child, Megan pursued a different path in university and only answered her true calling when she stumbled upon the craft of traditional glass neon in Melbourne. 

“I’ve always been fascinated with artworks that manage to evoke emotions and/or make viewers pause to think about what they’re seeing,” said Megan.

This memorable moment became a turning point for her, which led her to quit her corporate job and devote her time to mastering the craft from a neon master in Taiwan. 

Even though she had a family who had always been supportive of her decisions, especially when it came to the Arts, she was not able to take the initial leap since she had a “very singaporean” mindset that had her considering practicality against passion, and to weigh the pros and cons of her choices.

In spite of that, Megan’s continued interaction with neon as a medium has not only kept her inspired but has also deepened her passion and connection with it; keeping her excited about “pushing the medium’s boundaries”.

Her latest installation at the Singapore Night Festival, located at Bugis+, is an opportunity for Megan to show how neon can create an immersive experience for all to enjoy. Perhaps this is why she has since dedicated herself fully to this art form, establishing herself as Singapore’s only neon artist with the hope to continue encouraging others to see traditional neon as more than just a traditional signage.

Photographed by Adele Chan using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, which sports a new ultra sleek thin design with a pro-grade camera system that features the first 200MP wide-angle camera in the Galaxy Z Series.

Find out more about the device here, or visit the Samsung Experience Store at Bugis Junction #01-56/57 to discover the new phone for yourself.

Hi Megan! Congratulations on your installation at this year’s Singapore Night Festival. What was the inspiration behind it?

Megan: “This work uses my wave motif to bring attention to Singapore’s Maritime legacy. Not many people know about the significant role that the Bugis and Beach Road precinct used to play in Singapore’s early maritime trade, and not many know that there used to be a thriving neon advertising industry in Singapore too. 

So, to highlight the similarity of these two works, I’ve used my work to reflect these forgotten stories from Singapore’s past. Similarly, the neon text (“neon signs are a splash on our skyline” adds a positive and tongue-in-cheek reference to an old headline from a 1993 opinion column in The Straits Times where neon signs were referred to a “blight” on our skyline. 

I wanted to showcase how despite this medium being scorned in the ‘90s for making our country look “cheap”, neon has now made a comeback as a retro futuristic installation to beautify our modern Singapore.”

How did you become a neon artist?

M: “I’ve always loved art as a child but it has always been my dream to be a visual artist, as I’ve constantly been fascinated by artworks that manage to evoke emotions and/or make viewers pause and think about what they’re seeing. 

Although I studied Business in university, I still found myself drawn to the Arts and had stumbled upon the craft of traditional glass neon in Bayswater, Melbourne — where I started my journey. I eventually quit my corporate job to learn this craft from a neon master in Taiwan, and the rest is history.”

What was the family’s reaction when they found out you wanted to pursue art as a career?

M: “My family always knew that I had a passion for the Arts, as I started drawing at a very young age, largely inspired by my mother, who is also very artistic. My family has generally always been supportive of my decisions to pursue the Arts – be it taking it as a subject at A-levels, or even pursuing this less-traveled road, but it was not without concerns.”

What is it about neon lights that continue to drive your passion for this medium?

M: “Neon, in and of itself. There really isn’t anything that can truly replicate the glow of neon, and to me, that is a unique and captivating medium that brings life to my artworks. It not only has a rich history as a heritage craft, but it also has the potential to come to life in a new and refreshed way. All these things keep me excited about the ability to push the medium’s boundaries.”

Walk us through a process of turning your design into a work of art.

M: “Every artwork starts with an idea – be it a sketch or a concept. Then, I think about interesting ways to use the medium to bring the idea to life. From there, I design. Most people think that the real work only starts when it comes to bending the glass in the fire, but a lot of the work comes from the feeling I want to evoke.

It is then down to designing the layout and choosing the colour. The real work begins when I start bending the glass, which takes time, as every bend has to be precise. Once that’s done, I’ll have to work on the wiring to get the light just right. So, depending on the size and complexity of the piece, it can take anywhere from a few days to a week to complete.”

As an artist, how do you stay inspired?

M: “By staying curious and open to new influences. I think a large part of my creations come from multiple sources. The first is from people through their shared conversations or ideas. While I do have my own perception of the craft, I find it refreshing to sometimes hear what others have to say about my craft and the Arts. The second is from pop-culture references such as the Nike sneakers or Pokèmon. 

To me, neon is just medium and my expression of it through my own lands is what makes it mine.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a neon artist?

M: “I think it’s mostly the misconceptions that come with the craft. Most people typically think that traditional glass neon is synonymous with LED signages (because of how common LED signages are). But, the reality is that the process of making traditional glass neon is handcrafted using fire and glass, and is very different from that of LED signages, which can be manufactured. Every unique glow of neon is also very different.

Another misconception is the safety concerns that come with traditional glass neon, which are largely myths, especially when the artwork is properly manufactured, installed and maintained. However, from a more artistic standpoint, the biggest challenge for me is to find new ways to push the boundaries of the medium in every work or collaboration that I work on.”

What do you hope visitors would take away from viewing your artwork at the Singapore Night Festival?

M: “First of all, I am grateful to be a participating artist at this year’s Singapore Night Festival as it has always been a special event that brings together art, culture, and the city’s vibrant energy. 

For me, this is also a chance to show how neon can go beyond signage to become an immersive experience. With my work, I hope more people will be able to come up close and personal with the medium, and see traditional neon in a new light – one that connects the past with the future, the traditional with the contemporary.”

Since your very first neon light art to your most recent, which has been your most memorable work and why?

M: “It has to be this work done in conjunction with this year’s Singapore Night Festival. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to work on and install such a large scale work while using this heritage craft to “light up” a key part of Singapore’s history!”

Lastly, what are some advice you can give to budding artists who are looking to find their niche, or may be interested in taking the same path as you?

M: “Stay open and always remain open to inspiration. Pursue what excites you and makes you feel alive relentlessly and then make it your own.”

Follow Megan on Instagram @maegzter and discover her neon art installation at Bugis+.

All photos captured with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 by Adele Chan. Discover the phone at the Samsung Experience Store (Bugis Junction #01-56/57).

Makeup by M.A.C Cosmetics at Bugis Junction #01-17. On Megan is the Dazzle Shadow in Bedazzled Denim and Demure Diamonds; the Eye Shadow in Darkroom Frost and In the Shadows Frost; the Lipglass Air in Frozen; the M.A.Cximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Blankety; the M.A.Cstack Waterproof Mascara; the Studio Fix Power Plus Foundation in NC12; and the Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24-Hr Matte Foundation.

Hair styled by Alvius Ang, Senior Stylist at Vintage Studio in Bugis Junction #02-01.

Retro District by Resurrack

Aside from checking out Megan’s installation at Bugis+, you’re also invited to the Retro District at the Bugis Street Art Lane. Specially curated by Resurrack, this is an official festival village of the Singapore Night Festival inspired by the festival’s ‘Islands’ theme that celebrates the rich blend of cultures and influences that shape Singapore’s distinctive identity.

Here, you freely explore vintage collectibles, fashion, classic games, capture moments at a retro-themed Photo Booth, and enjoy live performances by local artists under the stars.

Read on for more on what you can expect alongside the Singapore Night Festival at Bugis Night Lights:

The Singapore Night Festival offerings at Bugis+ and Bugis Street Art Lane are part of the line-up of activities that you can experience at Bugis Night Lights from now to 21 September. Click here for more information.