Where Art Meets Aviation – An Installation that Brings Switzerland to Singapore

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Singapore site last year, we invited Swiss artist Adrian Gander to explore the relationship between the two countries through a striking mural at the site’s entrance. We speak with Adrian to find out how he used inspiration from street art to elevate the space and create a seamless first impression.

As the automatic doors open, a breathtaking vista of jagged mountains unfolds through an art installation above Building 2’s reception, welcoming all to the Singapore facility of Jet Aviation. The artist behind the piece is Adrian Gander, a 35-year-old urban artist from Switzerland, whose connection to art and aviation is brought to life across multiple formats and mediums.

Meet the Artist

Rendered in aerosol spray paint, Adrian’s “Horizons” was created to commemorate Jet Aviation’s 30th anniversary in Singapore, illustrating the long and cherished relationship between the two countries. His artwork draws references to the iconic Swiss Alps, which adds a soft touch to the reception’s strict architectural lines and contours, and sets a tone of effortless comfort, like clouds drifting above.

“Horizons”, serves to unite the serene landscapes of Switzerland and Singapore through elevated perspective, dynamic forms, and flowing lines. Mountains, lakes, and clouds reflect nature’s quiet motion, evoking clarity, balance, and the importance of environmental preservation. The clean, abstract visual language leaves room for thought and interpretation.

Adrian brings his creativity from Nidwalden, Switzerland, where he studied Design & Art at the Lucerne University of Applied Science and Arts. His artistic engagement with street art dates back to his formal education, when his memorable stays in Lebanon and South America influenced and expanded his artistic repertoire.

Pouring through numerous spray cans while overcoming heights, Adrian delivers a bold exploration of dynamic forms and flowing lines that follows the same arcs as Switzerland’s famous landscapes. In just a weekend, following a mandatory work-at-height course, “Horizons” was completed. 

As we revel in the beauty of this masterpiece, we go behind the scenes and ask Adrian more about his inspirations and ideas behind his work.

Hi Adrian, thank you for joining us in this interview. We love the art installation, truly. What inspired this artwork?

“Horizons” is inspired by the nature around us, specifically, mountains, lakes, and clouds that are iconic in Switzerland. The perspective it takes reflects a view from above, as though you are looking out of the window of an aircraft. The work is also inspired by the things I see through the lens of aerial photography, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the world around us.

How did this idea come about?

This idea came about when I met Jeremie Caillet, Elouisa Dalli, and Patrick Kessler at a Gstaad Art event in early 2025, in partnership with Pilatus. There I presented two design schemes for an aircraft livery. The team asked if I would be interested in creating a mural for the Jet Aviation site in Singapore to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

I was always fascinated with the idea of mural art. Traditionally, street art is seen as an aesthetic clash with the surrounding architecture, as it often appears in the unlikeliest places – walls, trains, and uninhibited places. But it has slowly gathered momentum for its artful deployment of shapes and colors. It is unusual for street art to be associated with elegance and simplicity, as it is usually loud and expressive. But this time round, I’m using the style to reinterpret and express people’s shared experiences, identities, and aspirations, which is so unique. 

Are there any themes or stories behind this artwork?

The artwork evolved over time after several stages and discussions with the teams in Switzerland and Singapore. In the beginning, I created five sketches with different ideas and styles, refining them based on feedback from each stakeholder. It was important to me to create a piece that symbolizes the company and its beliefs. To do so, I immersed myself in what Jet Aviation means to its employees and considered the color tones and hues, as well as the imagery, that best capture the company’s spirit and essence. The final piece is designed to evoke feelings of neutrality, clarity, and serenity by referencing Switzerland’s mountains and natural scenery.

Is there a signature or personal style you incorporated into this artwork?

Yes certainly. My work often features clear shapes and forms, combined with a dynamic use of color. Movement is a key element in my art. Even though the artwork itself is static, I didn’t use stencils to spray-paint the lines and forms to create a sense of ongoing motion.

Could you share some of the elements of this artwork and the messages they embody?

“Horizons” has all the hallmarks of Switzerland and its natural landscapes. The mountains you see are a link to Switzerland or its nature. The clouds represent the sky and embody the effortless movement of the elements, which connects to the phrase “the effort behind effortless” from Jet Aviation. The lakes represent the element of water. Nature and its resources are general themes. In a way, they are also metaphoric of what Singapore is known for – being clean, simple and efficient. It’s always simple things in life that truly matter, which is the reason why I choose these elements, to serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving our environment.

“As I explored Singapore, I came to see how similar Singapore is to Switzerland. Its cleanliness, simplicity with the rules and the openhearted people are similar to the nature in Switzerland.”

Does this art hold personal meaning for you?

Yes. For me, it is calming and peaceful. It represents my roots and home country in an abstract way. As I explored Singapore, I came to see how similar Singapore is to Switzerland. Its cleanliness, simplicity with the rules and the openhearted people are similar to the nature in Switzerland.

What’s your favorite part of the artwork, and why?

I particularly like the horizontal composition, which is dynamic in its own way. I love it when artwork represents movement.

How does this piece fit into your overall body of work or artistic journey?

This piece marks a significant milestone for me. It gives me an amazing opportunity to share my art with this part of the world and leave a little of Switzerland behind. At the same time, it was also important for me to create a unique, timeless piece layered with meanings that resonate differently with each viewer. Its elegance and simplicity, the carefully chosen color palette, and the sense of dynamism it evokes reflects as much of Jet Aviation’s journey in Singapore as it resonates with my personal artistic journey as I continue exploring minimalist and abstract imagery.