Penang street art history

Nov 17, 2015 penang is known for its street art that was made famous after the 2012 george town festival. Analyzing street art to present the heritage of george. Its not a case then that even many murals among penang street art celebrate that multiethnic historical legacy. Penang formed part of the straits settlements in 1826, which became a british crown colony in 1867. Penang s become famous for its street art thanks to the work of lithuanian artist ernest zacharevic, who was commissioned to create a series of six wall murals across the town for the 2012 george town festival. Began in 2012 when the penang municipal council hired a young lithuanian to make the rusty walls a canvas of reflection inspired by the locals, earnest zacharevic, and other equal artists poured their soul into the brushes and brought the street to life. Dec 03, 2019 if you walk on chulia street towards the chew jetty area you will find it on the lefthand side of the street. Penang street art, and in particular george town street art, has in the past few years enhanced its position as the street art capital of the country. In league with the likes of miami and berlin, penang is a recognized street art capital of the world. Indonesian street art duo thedeomixblood, comprising fahla fadhillah lotan, or dila, left and bonar diat senan putro otong, were in penang for a week and painted four murals at art lane dila and otong, visiting artists from indonesia, pose in front of the latters. This form of art has spread to all heritage streets in george town, the capital of penang island, which is also a known unesco. Another is penang street art painting step by step walking guide. Street art in penang is one of the highlights and the very reason why i would call georgetown a modern heritage town.

Located within the citys unesco world heritage site, the road has gained popularity in recent years for its rich cultural offerings and street art. It is a fusion of both eastern and western cultures with excellent food, especially the desserts. Antara tempat menarik di pulau pinang street art in georgetown 02. Little children on a bicycle at lebuh armenian penang street art by ernest zacharevic i can help catch rats by 101 lost kittens at lebuh armenian. Street art in penang penang s capital city has been basking in its street art glory. In conjuction with penang s georgetown festival, certain old walls within our dear capital has gained a new lease of life, thanks to the awesome efforts of lithuanian artist, ernest zacharevic, penang street art artist. Penang street art the story behind the success in 10. Named after king george iii, walking down the streets of georgetown is like walking through the paths of history. View all hotels near street art in george town on tripadvisor. Later in 2012, another international artist ernest zacharevic was commissioned by the penang municipal council to create a street art project. The best street art in george town, penang penangs street art has evolved from cheap spray paint and scraggly swear words to beautiful, expansive, walltowall murals the likes of rones local women. George town street art 52 iron rod sculptures and numerous colorful murals that is how many street art was present in george town, penang when i was there last august 2015.

The street art in george town, penang is much more than a photo opportunity. If youre in george town, the islands lively multicultural capital, you cant miss it. We speak to various street artists to paint a bigger picture on this genre of art in. Penang s street art sees tourists from everywhere working together to get the perfect shot. Penang is known for its street art that was made famous after the 2012 george town festival. The history of street art what about street art today. Little girl in blue mural, muntri street, george town, penang. Penang street art the story behind the success in 10 parts. Finding street art in george town, penang, malaysia. A resident of penang is colloquially known as a penangite or penang lang in penang hokkien. A new public art space by china house, inspired by laneways and popup parks in penang and lisbon, located within two linked prewar shophouses. As the unesco heritage center title wasnt enough for georgetown, the penang state government decided to add something even more unique to penang and georgetown.

At the same time, it helps generate interesting hubs for locals and visitors to hang out, admire and be immersed in art. Lithuanianborn, penang based artist ernest zacharevic was commissioned to paint six murals as part of the festival. Street art in penang is a phenomenon only sprouted out less than a decade ago. The ultimate guide to the street art of george town, penang. Although it is the second smallest state in malaysia, it is also the most densely populated. On the other side of penang island an hours drive from george town in the rural town of balik pulau are even more phenomenal penang street art. Boy on motorbike penang street art boy on motorbike. Dec 02, 20 street art in penang penangs capital city has been basking in its street art glory. It is considered as an architectural gem because it contains one of the largest collection of preworld war ii and rich of cultural influences. Ernest came to george town in 2011 as a tourist to celebrate chinese new year with some college friends. Finding stories and street art in penang on my canvas. Cintra street is a narrow oneway street within george towns unesco world heritage site.

It includes the main streets in penang where most of the art is located, the story behind all the major murals by major i mean the popular ones as a lot of murals in penang are good and the description of all the. The street art in penang has largely been a result of these street art projects or special events. I will then give you an overview of the different types of street art that you can find when walking around george town. These murals along with many others are what draws tourists to george town every year. Nov 02, 2019 street art map, penang by penang tourism board this one is my favorite as it is a detailed map to all the penang wall art. Street art comprises all kinds of art developed in public locations. The area around armenian street, the most visited tourist street in penang, is also a great place to view and photograph street art. Love lane penang street art has now become a hub for backpackers and travellers because of the abundance of bars and hostels on the street. The butterworth art walk is a product of penang s vibrant artists and the states rich history. A splendid tour by the author and the book overflows with photos taken along the way. As a kiwi from new zealand, i helped and was helped by malay, chinese and filipino tourists. The main street art piece shows the founder of the colony of penang, francis light to the left.

If you are thinking of paying a visit to penang, dont forget to observe penang street art in the georgetown area. In conjuction with penangs georgetown festival, certain old walls within our dear capital has gained a new lease of life, thanks to the awesome efforts of lithuanian artist, ernest zacharevic, penang street art artist. An effort to spawn awareness of the rich history of the streets, the project was a success with zacharevic turning certain areas into thriving tourist destinations. Lithuanian artist ernest zacharevic is leaving his mark with beautiful wall painting of children all across historical. Street art in george town penang island 2020 all you. In 2008, penangs capital, george town, was officially known as the unesco world heritage site for being a living museum, where people are still living the same way as they had a century ago. Interestingly, this street was named after an event, which was totally unrelated to penang, that occurred in the portuguese town of sintra. Aug 18, 2019 one of the top things to do in penang is photograph the street art. Feb 22, 20 street art in georgetownmerupakan satu keunikan yang ada di pulau mutiara ini. Mar 11, 2016 penang, known for its food and art culture, was made even more famous for its street art that was created by lithuanian artist, ernest zacharevic. Anda boleh abadikan lawatan yang sungguh menakjubkan di sekitar georgetown yang mana anda boleh melihat keunikan dinding yang dicat menceritakan tentang kehidupan di bandar ini dan selain itu ada juga wroughtiron karikatur yang menghiasi jalan. Indonesian street art duo thedeomixblood, comprising fahla fadhillah lotan, or dila, left and bonar diat senan putro otong, were in penang for a week and painted four murals at art lane dila and otong, visiting artists.

The centre of penang street art is in armenian street and it can be very lively at weekends. There are more than one hundred great pieces of wall art in george town. Jan 28, 2020 i will start by telling you a little bit about penang. Oct 09, 2017 when you are in georgetown, in penang, besides trying its street food and exploring the many whitesand beaches, do not forget to uncover its rich street art. There are guided tours organised by the penang heritage trust. Street art in george town penang island 2020 all you need. Street art in penang is a lessthanadecade old phenomenon that owes its existence to forwardthinking city officials, as much as it does to the creative ingenuity. In the last few years since 2012, penang street art has become a very popular tourist attraction in the old part of the city, so much so that you will often find crowds of people waiting to have their photo taken in front of the wall paintings. Overview and brief history of penangs famous street art. George town penang hosts some of the best street art in the world and we are here to. Along with the murals, new art has emerged in the shape of wrought iron caricatures and bus. Previously the site of ernest zachaverics faded silversmith and across from a school, sjkc sacred heart in balik pulau. These are the penang street art murals featured in this street art hunt step by step blog post you may click the specific street art name to find out where to go. Over 50 wrought iron caricatures make up a series named marking george.

Penang street art 14 favourite wall murals youd come to. These murals have been a kickstart for what has now exploded into many local street artists adding their masterpieces to the street walls and alleys of. View all attractions near street art in george town on tripadvisor. Zacharevic was commissioned to create a series of murals for the george town festival in 2012. Penang street art is one of the islands biggest tourist attractions. A guide to george towns street art, penang, malaysia. Penang street art the travelling twins in malaysia in. Now street art wasnt always seen so favourably in malaysia. A wonderful read about the charming island city of georgetown on penang island, malaysia. Penang street art tells the story of george town as a unesco world heritage site. George town is the historic capital of the state of penang on mainland malaysias west coast and is sited on a 300 sq km offshore island. Georgetown with a long and illustrious history under its belt, penang s capital city is one of the most interesting and colourful cities in malaysia. Top 10 street arts and murals in penang penang foodie. If the best street art in malaysia doesnt draw you to george town penang, the history, colorful streets and architecture is surely worth a visit.

Armenian street is a narrow street within the city of george town in penang, malaysia. Everything you need to know about georgetown penang. Its not hidden or hard to find, so if you look closely when you walk on chulia street then you will not miss it. When you are in georgetown, in penang, besides trying its street food and exploring the many whitesand beaches, do not forget to uncover its rich street art. Walking tour of street art in penang the next somewhere. Penangs modern history began in 1786, upon the establishment of george town by francis light.

Little children on a bicycle mural, armenian street, george town, penang. Penang street art in the last few years since 2012, penang street art has become a very popular tourist attraction in the old part of the city, so much so that you will often find crowds of people waiting to have their photo taken in front of the wall paintings. Where to find street art in penang george town the. The early original settlement was bounded by light street, beach street, pitt street and market street shortly thereafter extended to chulia street. The old town faces east towards the mainland across a 2 km strait. Nov 10, 2015 penang street art has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years and it is a fun way to explore this unesco world heritage city. The way how georgetown has infused new art forms into its decadeold architecture is definitely worth appreciating. Located within the citys chinatown, cintra street runs straight between chulia street to the north and kimberley street to the south. This lithuanian artist is probably the reason why street art became such a big deal to penang in the first place, after his commissioned work mirrors george town for the george town festival back in 2012 became a big hit. The kids on a bicycle is another favorite street art in penang. One of the top things to do in penang is photograph the street art. Penangs capital city has been basking in its street art glory. Other penang street art by local artists include desmond yeos piece titled the awaiting trishaw paddler along jalan penang, and 101 lost kittens, artwork by various artists from the group artists for stray animals asa, who strive to create awareness over the issue of helping find homes for stray animals. Attractions near penang state museum and art gallery.

This metal sculpture depicts that perfectly, but the history of this street has changed in the past few years. I will start by telling you a little bit about penang. Penang street art history georgetown is the capital of penang state in malaysia and is a unesco heritage site. One of the most popular here is a steelrod sculpture which depicts the wealthy and. Penang street art map exploring the art of george town. Cheng sim paints various strokes to give a bigger picture on this genre of art in george town. Since the inscription of the inner city of george town has a world heritage site, the street art scene has developed with increasing vigor. The most recent developments can be found in the penang street art facebook group page. Penang heritage trust was the primary campaigner for penang and malacca to be listed as a unesco world heritage site in 2008. A good place for refreshments or a break is china house. The beginning of penang street art it all began in 2008 when the oldest portion of the city center designated by unesco as a world heritage site, which is george town. When you think of penang art, the first thing that might come to mind is ernest zacharevics street art.

The book covers a very unique aspect of georgetown, its street art. The old town, being a world heritage site, lets you know that georgetown is special. Along with the murals, new art has emerged in the shape of wrought iron caricatures and. Some tourists rented bicycles, some took trishaws, while others, like us, just strolled along the streets. Unlike some cities, where street art is tucked away in less salubrious parts of town and not easy to find, you dont have to search very hard to find art in public places in penang. But theres much more in the georgetown historic center, where the mix of. Penang state museum and art gallery penang island 2020. View all attractions near penang state museum and art gallery on tripadvisor.

Penang received its listing as a unesco world heritage site. He literally revolutionized the street art scene in penang and has had a huge influence on street art not only in penang but also in the whole of malaysia and the rest of the world. But these works are borne from a city that is a veritable melting pot of cultures. For those looking to experience street art in penang at its best, this selfguided walking tour has all the bases covered and still allows for some exploring. Here francis is meeting and talking to a young backpacker to the right. Like many other cities in the world, this form of art and associated graffiti was considered vandalism, and those artists involved faced heavy fines. With the condensed history below, youll see that the local council encouraged the spread of murals through penang after the initial success of ernest zacharevic.

The best street art in george town, penang penang s street art has evolved from cheap spray paint and scraggly swear words to beautiful, expansive, walltowall murals the likes of rones local women. I will also give you a map with an overview of the most popular and best street art pieces. The butterworth art walk is a product of penangs vibrant artists and the states rich history. Although street art owes a part of its glory to this kind of artistic expression, it is a marvelous art form in its own right and it is amazing to follow the evolution and diversity of street art in the 21stst century. The street art of penang, symbolizes the use of a new and highly engaging medium to attract and amaze tourists, while educating them regarding the citys rich historical and cultural heritage. Penang street art location map wall painting photos.

The art piece reflects on the modern time of george town versus the old days when penang was newly established as a. Jangan lepaskan peluang untuk bergambar dengan aksi2 anda sendiri. Discover a variety of the finest street art in penang. The mural scene at seberang perai may have blossomed later but is quickly catching up with george towns iconic street art. It was certainly one of the reasons why i added penang in my southeast asia backpacking trip. Penang street art has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years and it is a fun way to explore this unesco world heritage city. In 2008, the historical core of george town, penang s capital, was awarded a world heritage site title by unesco. Antara tempat menarik di pulau pinangstreet art in. Discover amazing penang street art ladies what travel. Jul 25, 2018 weve arrived for our 30 days in penang and our first stop is the incredible george town malaysia street art.