The Indian Boatman by Julia Volchkova Penang’s Street Art is famous worldwide and, before we visited, I didn’t truly understand what made it so special.
On the day we arrived in George Town, the capital of the Malaysian island on Penang, our homestay handed us a map of the area. This map featured not just the infamous street art, but the locations of the wrought iron sculptures which are dotted all over town. Whilst wandering around the City, we started to spot some of them and ticked them off on our map … very quickly and unconsciously, we were hooked!
When we realised that we were actively seeking the next sculpture or piece of art on our map, it dawned on us how much we were enjoying this “art treasure hunt”.
But what is it about the street art that appealed to us, and draws in millions of other tourists, each year?
On the day we arrived in George Town, the capital of the Malaysian island on Penang, our homestay handed us a map of the area. This map featured not just the infamous street art, but the locations of the wrought iron sculptures which are dotted all over town. Whilst wandering around the City, we started to spot some of them and ticked them off on our map … very quickly and unconsciously, we were hooked!
When we realised that we were actively seeking the next sculpture or piece of art on our map, it dawned on us how much we were enjoying this “art treasure hunt”.
But what is it about the street art that appealed to us, and draws in millions of other tourists, each year?
Kandar by Tang Mun Kian
The Penang State Government had a brilliant initiative in 2009 of opening up a competition to make George Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The winning idea by Sculpture at Work resulted in the creation of 51 steel-rod caricatures, using steel rods coated in a special paint for rust prevention, re-telling the history of George Town. I have to admit, it’s inspirational and if a City has a story to tell, this is fantastic and quirky way of giving tourists a history lesson.
However, it isn’t the competition winning idea that draws the crowds; it’s the painted street murals and ever-growing wall art. Some pieces are “official” and have names, so wherever possible I have listed their title. Aside from the murals, there many different projects which make up George Town art, this link provides more detail.
However, it isn’t the competition winning idea that draws the crowds; it’s the painted street murals and ever-growing wall art. Some pieces are “official” and have names, so wherever possible I have listed their title. Aside from the murals, there many different projects which make up George Town art, this link provides more detail.
20-foot high “Little Girl in Blue”, also known as "Kung-Fu Girl" by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic We were staying on Muntri Street off Love Lane which, (in my opinion) is a really cool part of George Town. Our Heritage Homestay was in an area that had some of the most photographed steel-rod caricature sculptures and murals, including “Jimmy Choo”, “Cheating Husband” and the Kung-Fu Girl Street Art.
If you are wondering what on earth Jimmy Choo (the famous fashion designer) has to do with George Town’s heritage, he was actually born here to a family of shoemakers in 1948. His father taught him to make shoes and it is believed he made his first pair when he was only 11 years old; he is currently involved in a project to set up a shoe-making institute in Malaysia.
Jimmy Choo by Baba Chuah
Famous Street Art
Street Art is what Penang is famous for and is clearly popular with tourists. I would definitely recommend it to everyone as it’s a fun and unique way of navigating around the back streets and discovering the main areas without really trying. Most hotels/hostels have a map with art locations marked out so it’s easy enough for you to find them yourself by walking around and enjoying the experience, alternatively, you can download a pdf brochure here which lists 15 of the most famous.
Street Art is what Penang is famous for and is clearly popular with tourists. I would definitely recommend it to everyone as it’s a fun and unique way of navigating around the back streets and discovering the main areas without really trying. Most hotels/hostels have a map with art locations marked out so it’s easy enough for you to find them yourself by walking around and enjoying the experience, alternatively, you can download a pdf brochure here which lists 15 of the most famous.
Our well used map detailing the Street Art and steel-rod caricatures
The majority of the “famous” murals are located in one area. It’s easy to spot the most popular pieces – you will see queues of people lining up to take photographs as they interact with the 3D paintings and groups of tourists ushered around with a guide. You can also buy t-shirts and other merchandise of your favourite painting in many shops around the area.
When visiting the street art, please remember that they are exposed to the elements, therefore some are fading or are stained and for others, the walls around them crumbling.
The “official” pieces were painted by the Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic, however there are other popular murals by the Russian Julia Volchkova and Malaysian Louis Gan,
When visiting the street art, please remember that they are exposed to the elements, therefore some are fading or are stained and for others, the walls around them crumbling.
The “official” pieces were painted by the Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic, however there are other popular murals by the Russian Julia Volchkova and Malaysian Louis Gan,
"The Awaiting Trishaw Peddler" or "Trishaw Man" by Ernest Zacharevic
 "Children Playing Basketball" by Louis Gan |  "Child Murial at Prangin Canal" by Julia Volchkova |
"Brother And Sister On Swing" by Louis Gan
 “Boy on motorcycle” or “Old motorcycle” by Ernest Zacharevic |  “Reaching up” or “Boy On Chair” by Ernest Zacharevic |
“Children on a Bicycle” or "Kids on Bicycle" by Ernest Zacharevic
It’s not just the famous street art that we enjoyed, but other murals that are not included on the “art trail” map. Some of these paintings were arranged by hotels and restaurants who realised that getting in on the “street art” act was a way of drawing attention to their business! In contrast to the older murals, these paintings are crisp and new with bright colours. Here is a selection of some we enjoyed.
Girl on a turtle by Ernest Zacharevic and Argentinian mural artist, Martin Ron, on the side of Chulia Mansion
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Cat Street Art – 101 Lost Kittens project
Cats are the most popular street art. The capital of Malaysian Borneo’s Sarawak region is called Kuching which means cat in Malay … there’s a little fact of the day for you! These murals were created by ASA (Artists for Stray Animals) and drawn by Malaysian artists Tang Yeok Khang and Louise Low and Thai artist Natthaton Muangkliang. Their aim is to draw attention to the plight of stray cats and dogs, encourage the community to spay and neuter their pets and to adopt or care for the city’s street cats and dogs. The murals were painted using environmentally friendly paint that is expected to wash off in a few years.
Cats are the most popular street art. The capital of Malaysian Borneo’s Sarawak region is called Kuching which means cat in Malay … there’s a little fact of the day for you! These murals were created by ASA (Artists for Stray Animals) and drawn by Malaysian artists Tang Yeok Khang and Louise Low and Thai artist Natthaton Muangkliang. Their aim is to draw attention to the plight of stray cats and dogs, encourage the community to spay and neuter their pets and to adopt or care for the city’s street cats and dogs. The murals were painted using environmentally friendly paint that is expected to wash off in a few years.
"The Real Bruce Lee Would Never Do This" by Tang Yeok Khang – the message behind this mural is that it’s very cruel to kick/hurt a cat or dog and Bruce Lee would never do this.
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"Skippy" is based on a real-life cat named Skippy who is the mascot for LASSie (Langkawi Animal Shelter and Sanctuary Foundation) a non-profit organisation which rehabilitates and cares for neglected, abused and needy animals
 "Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat" |  "Please Care And Bathe Me" |
"Cat & Humans Happily Living Together" by Tang Yeok Khang depicts a Taoist procession representing equality amongst all living things.
“Marking George Town” – the UNESCO World Heritage site winning project
Untrained Parakeet by Tang Mun Kian There are 51 steel-rod sculptures dotted all over George Town (officially named “Marking George Town”), and we made it our mission to find every single one of them! Some were within walking distance but to ensure we saw them all, we hired a bicycle for RM10 (£2). If you would also like to find all of them, download your pdf map here.
Four Malaysian artists designed the sculptures, Tang Mun Kian, Baba Chuah, Reggie Lee and Lefty, all of which have a background in comic books and cartoon humour. A list of all the sculptures, their story, location and artist are explained in this excellent website.
Each caricature tells a story of heritage, culture, traditions and beliefs in key areas of the city so it’s important to read the text and not just admire the humours caricature. For example, in Little India, one tells of early Indian fortune tellers who used green parakeets to foretell the future.
Some of the sculptures are easy to see and read, but others are on blackened and polluted walls. As they are all in public places, sometimes you will find a car parked in front of one or a shop seller leaning boxes against them. Some are on the corner of a street and others stretch across multiple arches or walls.
Some of the sculptures are easy to see and read, but others are on blackened and polluted walls. As they are all in public places, sometimes you will find a car parked in front of one or a shop seller leaning boxes against them. Some are on the corner of a street and others stretch across multiple arches or walls.
Kandar by Tang Mun Kian shows how Nasi Kandar, a popular rice dish, used to be sold by balancing a kandar pole across their shoulders, the baskets are filled with Nasi (rice)
Some of the popular steel-rod sculptures were close to our homestay in the Muntri Street/Love Lane area. We had the pleasure of walking past them every time we went to Chulia Street which is the tourist hub of the centre.
Budget Hotels by Reggie Lee, many of the shophouses in this area were turned into budget hotels
Main Street by Lefty
Beca (Trishaw pedlar) by Tang Mun Kian
Cheating Husband by Tang Mun Kian – portraying a wealthy man hanging out of his mistress’ window
For a slightly different perspective, some are lit up at night so it’s worth having a look early in the evening when there will also be less people around.
 Close up example of steel-art writing on the caricatures |  Close up example of the caricatures |
 High Counter by Tang Mun Kian |  Mahjong (an old Chinese game) by Tang Mun Kian |
Double Role by Tang Mun Kian – “Up until 1909, the police of George Town also doubled up as firefighters"
Cow and Fish by Reggie Lee shows a cow running from a slaughterhouse and a woman chasing after a cat stealing her fish. This area was famous for its cow slaughter houses and salted fish product
“Yeoh” Only by Baba Chuah – showing newly arrived Yeoh clansmen, being received by their host. The Yeoh Kongsi were established in 1836 to look after the newly arrived immigrants
Haj Pilgrimage by Baba Chuah depicts Muslim pilgrims preparing for their pilgrimage to Mecca, it’s location on Acheen Street is where the Muslim travel agents sold tickets for the trip
Duck by Tang Mun Kian
Happy Hour by Lefty
Rope Style by Tang Mun Kian
Spy by Reggie Lee. It believed that up until World War II, the small Japanese community here ran businesses ranging from dental clinics to brothels to photography shops and it is believed that the latter were a front for the Japanese to engage in espionage
Now you have seen the different art George Town has to offer, can you see why millions of people find it so appealing? I absolutely love this idea! I believe it’s a brilliant way of getting tourists to explore areas they may not have considered and it’s done in such a fun and humorous way, it’s appeal is infectious.
For information on how to get around Penang and for travelling Penang to Kuala Lumpur, I recommend the Only By Land travel blog.
If you are travelling around Asia, we recommend you check bus, boat and train schedules ahead of time with 12Go Asia website. You can also book your tickets in advance online (as we did) to save time and hassle.
Are you a Street Art fan and have you been to Penang? Which is your favourite piece? What are your thoughts on the steel-rod caricatures? We want to know so tell us in the comment section below!
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