#Travel, Penang: George Town, Travel: Penang

Street Art at George Town, Penang

A virtual tour of my favourite 20!!!

Street art & installation
Street art & installation

Colours, installations, themes, innovation and design scream STREET ART at Penang’s George Town! The streets are infested with amazing art. The murals transform the bare streets and give life and form to barren walls. Talented artists have brought about a fresh twist to mere paintings by combining them with installations to create realistic images that connect people with art.

It all began as a part of a project “Mirrors” by George Town festival 2012. While some of the murals are very popular and commonly visited by most, I have compiled a photo gallery of the famous + lesser known works of art across the walls of the town.

Let the virtual tour begin…

“Magic” – painted on the shutters of a store, next to a bicyle-rental store
The Indian, Chinese and Malay girls (L) & 'Shoal of Fish' glass art work (R)
The Indian, Chinese and Malay girls (L) & ‘Shoal of Fish’ glass art work (R)
Gangsta'
Gangsta’ “Penguins” (gun, chain, spray paint) at Armenian Street

“101 Lost Kittens” project:

This represents a collection of murals of stray animals, especially cats by the ASA or Artists for Stray Animals to protect stray animals, along Armenian Street.

“Skippy” or the Giant Cat Mural, as a part of the project at Gat Lebuh Armenian
“Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat” – another one at Gat Lebuh Armenian
“I can help catch rats” – by ASA at Lebuh Armenian

Metal rod caricatures:

These sculptures made out of rods are formulated by the likes of Tan Mun Kian and Baba Chuah. The caricatures represent the trades and trends of good old Penang.

2015-10-25_16.33.13
Procession for the ‘Year of the Tiger’ at Armenian Street
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Hello “Jimmy Choo” – at Muntri Street
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‘Hand-pulled Rickshaw’ at Soo Hong Lane

Of colours, interaction and style: 

The UNESCO heritage site has gained popularity over the years owing to the paintings, besides the well-preserved structures/monuments. These life infused displays add spark to the site. Street art primarily adorns Leith Street, Armenian Street, Soo Hong Lane, Muntri Street amongst many others. Venture into each and every lane of China Town and Little India. You will surely bump into an art form or café.

Rodent!!! Seems to be hiding from the Giant Cat at the adjacent wall, Armenian Street
Rodent!!! Seems to be hiding from the Giant Cat at the adjacent wall, Armenian Street
Caricature at a gate depicting 'story-telling'. Many such structures are found along the streets of George Town
Caricature at a gate depicting ‘story-telling’. Many such structures are found along the streets of George Town
“Ficus Dreams” an outdoor installation by glass artist Fuan Wong, to preserve the damaging beauty of ficus plants that grow out of the crevices and walls of old buildings at Penang
Spotted this as I drove past the street
Spotted these colourful birds as I drove past the street
Time for some steamy momos at Leith Street
Time for some steamy momos at Leith Street
Breakfast with the transformers anyone? :) This was a temporary art done at the grounds next to Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade (George Town ) as a part of teh Transformaers showcase in Aug-Sept 2015
Breakfast with the transformers anyone? 🙂
This was a piece from the temporary art collection at the grounds next to Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade (George Town ) as a part of the Transformers showcase in Aug-Sept 2015

Highlights: 

  • These murals and installations have collectively face-lifted the city capital of Penang
  • Keep an entire day aside to view all the paintings, better yet, two half-days (morning to noon)
  • Use a map. However, some maps may differ and have their numbering switched. Use them as a rough guide only.
Use the George Town map as your guide
Use the George Town map as your guide

Meet the artists:

Some of the famous, most popular and note-worthy artists are…

Jim Oo Chun Hee painted the 'boy in purple' ready to teach Hokkien, at Lorong Soo Hong
Jim Oo Chun Hee: who painted the ‘boy in purple’ ready to teach Hokkien, at Lorong Soo Hong (street)
Julia Volchkova painted the famous
Julia Volchkova: who painted the famous “Indian Boatman” mural on Klang Street
I am a huge fan of Ernest Zacharevic’s work. This picture had to be taken, despite the long queue, as this street was sprawling with tourists!
Ernest Zacharevic: I am a huge fan of his work. This picture had to be taken, despite the long queue, as this street was sprawling with tourists!

Amazing street art!!! Put on your walking shoes and gear up for a sore-sole journey around a colourful George Town. Trust me, it’s worth the day-long walk and foot ache!!!

This post originally appeared on Lyf&Spice.

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19 thoughts on “Street Art at George Town, Penang”

  2. I’ve not seen a few of the pieces you have as it’s been 18 months since I left Penang. I truly miss the street art there as the town that I’m in now isn’t nearly as good. I heard that Zacharevic has been busy touching up some of his art like Boy on a Motorbike and Kids on a Bicycle. I remember stumbling across Kids on a Bicycle for the first time. It must have only been up for a few days as there wasn’t much on the internet about it. There wasn’t a line either as it had yet to be discovered. Watching it’s fame (and the queue) grow over the years has been so interesting to me.

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  6. What a great collection of art! My favorites are the Gangsta Penguins and the rodent hiding from the cat. I was going to ask if there was a map pointing to the murals but you answered my question with one of your photos.

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  10. Pingback: Street Art – Part 2 (George Town, Penang) | Lyf&Spice

  19. Mind blowing. When you see this looks simple but idea came from GREAT MIND. Keep writing like this. We learn few new things every time.

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