While the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town in Penang may be known for its colonial buildings, those wandering its streets will come across another of its top attractions, street art! Here’s more on what you need to know.
What to Expect
The old town area, which can be easily visited from properties like Sky Residence Prai, features diverse street art murals by local and international artists that add a unique element for those exploring the city. Many of them can be found on small streets and walls and you never know what you will find around every corner! The street art has branched out from the old town to other areas too, while you can also see over 50 iron rod sculptures here which add to the locale’s charm.
Popular Areas
Some areas in George Town, within easy reach for those based at Bukit Mertajam apartments, are hotspots when it comes to street art; one of these is Armenian Street where you can see well-known works like “Kids on Bicycle”. Also of note are Lebuh Leith, Muntri Street and Ah Quee Street. You can find plenty of suggested routes and places online to enjoy street art here including the following website that gives a short and long route on Google maps: https://streetartpenang.com/
Ernest Zacharevic
A special mention should be made to Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, who is credited as being the person who kick-started street art here. In 2012, as part of the George Town festival, he unveiled six murals that became a huge hit and spawned many more creative works around the city. Today, these murals are still among the most popular like the previously mentioned “Kids on Bicycle”. His other creations include “Kung Fu Girl”, “Boy on Motorbike” and “Boy on Chair”.
Other Highlights
Interestingly, cats are amongst the most popular subjects covered in street art in George Town in places like Armenian Street! This was brought to the spotlight in 2013 with the ‘101 Lost Kittens’ project that showcased 12 murals to highlight the issue of the city’s stray cats including one titled “Skippy”. For more artistic expression, head to the Hin Bus Depot Art Centre which is a former bus depot that is now a captivating art gallery showcasing numerous and innovative creations.
