In 2009, Marking George Town was launched, an arts festival aimed at showcasing the story of Penang through caricatures by local artists Tan Mun Kiang and Baba Chuah. In 2013, Sculptureatwork, a local steel works installation team, created quirky steel dioramas that offered social commentary on the island. The street art scene gained international attention after young Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic was commissioned by the Penang Municipal Council to create murals for Mirrors George Town. Today, tourists can easily explore the streets of Georgetown and discover the street art.
Ernest Zacharevic’s murals can be found starting from Jalan Penang (Penang Street) with the ‘Awaiting Trishaw Peddler’ and moving up to Jalan Muntri (Muntri Street) to spot the captivating ‘Little Girl in Blue’. On Lorong Love (Love Lane), one can find ‘Broken Heart (expunged)’ amidst the cafes and beauty parlors. Further on Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, visitors can discover ‘Reaching Up’ and the haunting ‘This Old Man’. Other murals by the artist include ‘Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur’ on Lebuh Soo Hong and ‘Children on a Bicycle’ in Gat Lebuh Armenian, which is the most popular mural by the artist. Finally, at the jetty that marks the end of the trail, visitors can find ‘Children on a Boat’.
Apart from Zacharevic’s murals, visitors can also discover other street murals by different artists in Georgetown, Jelutong, Gelugor, Balik Pulau, Bayan Lepas, Simpang Ampat, and Nibong Tebal. In total, there are an estimated 118 attractions spread across these areas waiting to be explored!
Price
Free