“Street Art Chinese Graffiti” explodes with color. Has anyone ever truly stopped to consider why Penang has become such a hub for street art? It is not just decoration.
Street art in George Town began gaining momentum after George Town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The city started a beautification project. In 2009, the project “Marking George Town” was launched. This project featured cartoon steel rod sculptures depicting local life in Georgetown in the past. Some sculptures are still visible today.
The “Mirrors George Town” project began in 2012. Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist, was commissioned to paint six murals for the annual Georgetown Festival. This project boosted tourism in the Malaysian city. These murals became must-see attractions.
Ernest Zacharevic’s street art depicted the lives of local people. In 2013, “Artists for Stray Animals” raised awareness for stray animals with the “101 Lost Kittens” project. In 2014, a former bus depot became an art center. The Hin Bus Depot collaborated with Urban Nation for the “Urban Xchange: Crossing Over” street art project. This drew street artists from around the world. In 2018, China House opened Art Lane Penang. It is an alley full of street art.
Ernest Zacharevic started “Mirrors George Town” to show the multicultural local life of the city. “Kids on a Bicycle” is one of his famous pieces. It is located on Armenian Street. Another is “Kung Fu Girl” on Jalan Muntri. Another of his larger-than-life murals is “Trishaw Man”. It is located on Jalan Penang.
Some Georgetown Penang street art should not be missed. Start at Chew Jetty. Walk to Armenian Street. See the oldest and most famous murals. Also see brand new works. “Folklore by the Sea” was created by Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. It tells the story of settlers from China. They built their homes at the Penang waterfront in the 1880s. “Ah Mah and Ah Soon” shows a happy grandma and grandson. “Brother and Sister on the Swing” is interactive street art. It was created by deaf-mute artist Louis Gan Yee Loong.
“I Want Bao!” is at Lebuh Armenian. Ming Xiang Tai Pastry Shop commissioned the street art. Kuala Lumpur artist WK Setor painted it for Chinese New Year. The children in the mural are the pastry shop owner’s children. “Boy on a Bike” is at Beach Street. It is one of Ernest Zacharevic’s original pieces for Mirror George Town.
The “Cat 101 Lost Kittens Art Project” is found around Armenian Street. About 13 murals showcase cats. It started as part of the George Town Festival in 2013. The “Artists for Stray Animals” aimed to raise awareness for stray animals. The Giant Cat Mural/Skippy Comes to Penang is famous. Other famous works include Please Care and Bathe Me, Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat and I Can Help Catch Rats.
“Indian Boatman” is a Julia Volchkova masterpiece. She took 10 days to finish it. It pays tribute to Penang’s Indian heritage. “The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler/Trishaw Man” is another original Ernest piece. It was also part of the Mirrors George Town project.
Take your time to wander. Discover the hidden gems of “Street Art Chinese Graffiti”. Let the art speak to you.