Across the world: Penang Art Trail

30 Jul 2012

Penang has been a heaven for food on my mind all the while. Lately, Penang is also well known for its street wall painting by a young talented artist from French, named Ernest Zacharevic. What is so interesting about these pieces is not just the painting, but also the real objects incorporated to make the entire creations look even more vivid.

"Boy on a Bike" Mural, Ah Quee Street

"Boy on a Bike" is painted on the sidedoor of a shophouse. It shows a boy hanging out on his motorcycle as he watches the pedestrian traffic passing by along the street. The mural is immediately to the right of another Zacharevic piece, "Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur".

"Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur" Mural, Ah Quee Street

It depicts a small boy taking his dinosaur for a walk. The fact that the dinosaur is rendered in the form of child-like graffiti expresses the creative mind of small children and how they merge fantasy with reality. This painting works so well despite its off beat subject. It could have been "Little Boy with His Kite", and would have come across as mundane.

"The Girl in Blue" Mural, Muntri Street

"The Girl in Blue" shows a little girl lifting herself up on both hands. In the original photograph, the little girl has her hands on the side of tables, but in the mural, she is perched over the two windows.

"Children in a Boat" Mural, Chew Jetty

The mural depicts two children, a boy and a girl, playing on a berthed sampan by the shore, with a pet cat. Along the way, you pass by two rows of wooden house on your left and right, "floating" on the strait.

"Little Children on a Bicycle" Mural, Armenian Street

It depicts a little girl taking her younger brother on a bicycle ride. The joy in their faces echoes down the street, providing a ray of cheer and adding character to Armenian Street.

"The Old Man" Mural, Armenian Street

The painting, which appears somewhat incomplete, depicts an elderly man who appears to be preparing a drink for himself. It was painted by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic for the 2012 George Town Festival.

"Reaching Up" Mural, Cannon Street

"Reaching Up" depicts a little boy reaching for a hole in the wall. He appears to be standing on a chair and inching himself as high as he could reach.