Penang Street Art

It was the last week of 2015. 

I had taken off from work. Had initially wanted to spend the year end holidays overseas. But prices for overseas holiday packages have been sky high and every holiday destination which I could think of would definitely be crowded. I had no intention to spend my day offs huddled among hordes of people.

So, I decided to take a local trip. I had even planned for a solo one since my regular traveling companions have been unable to take off on those days which I did. But at the last minute, the sister approached for a short getaway. Great! Let's do one to Penang - Penang's street arts and murals have been on my travel list for quite some time now. Time to strike them off the list.

We were fortunate to be able to secure low priced flight tickets and accommodation, even during the holiday season. Armenian House is a lovely home stay, situated in the heart of Penang city, in proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Buffer Zone and even closer to the street arts and murals.

Armed with a map, off we went hunting for Ernest Zacharevic's famous murals and the work of other artists who followed in his footsteps. Street after street, lane after lane - Lebuh Armernian, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Cannon, Lebuh Muntri, Love Lane, Lebuh Acheh, Lebuh Kimberly and all the way to the clan jetties. 

The murals were commissioned by the George Town Festival in 2012 and reflects the everyday life of Penang's inhabitants, both past and present. They were mostly painted on old buildings, on imperfect and crumbling walls, which brings out a sense of nostalgia in the images.

It was unfortunate that we missed some of the murals, as they have faded over time. But we were more than delighted to have captured the remaining ones. Well, to be exact, it was I who was more than delighted. The sister have not been very pleased by me pulling her around to roam under the scorching heat of the sun. Her complains of sun burns and tans and what not have been never ending.

 

 

Along the way, in some corners, in some back lanes, we spotted a number of steel-rod sculptures, depicting the street and social history of Penang, through witty caricatures. We had not planned to look for all of them. We just snapped whichever that we stumbled upon. One is able to learn about Penang's history through this way. No need for textbooks.

It was fun to play tourist in your own country. At least we wouldn't have to be worried about getting lost or not speaking the language. It was fun to laugh at "buffaloes" with the sister when they come stomping back into their rooms. It was fun to fool around along the streets and gawk at foreign hunks. And it was definitely the moment to remember when the sister lost balance on the stairs on the very morning of new year's day.