Ernest Zacharevic paves the way for George Town as Street Art destination

The gorgeous murals by Ernest Zacharevic has helped position George Town as a budding destination for street art. They should now serve as a catalyst for more street art to be installed in the city, turning it into an open-air art gallery and street art destination of international stature.

Ernest Zacharevic's Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur is a whimsical yet endearing street art beloved by most in Penang (30 June 2012)


With all respect to the murals, my main regret is that they were not done by a local artist. Although the installation of street art is not new, beginning with the steel-rod sculptures for Marking George Town, the fact that the murals quickly eclipse the steel-rod sculptures in popularity show that people prefer quality art over comic caricatures. Clearly it is their elegance and vivacity that have captured the heart and admiration of all.

There are many local artists who can produce street art of similar quality. However they have not been given the opportunity to showcase their talent. Even the local design company, Sculpture at Work, which produced the steel-rod sculptures, has demonstrated its capabilities by producing breathtakingly elegant dioramas on George Town.

I urge the authorities to give local artists a chance to showcase their art in George Town, and also to invite other renowned international artists to add their work here. Thanks to Ernest Zacharevic's murals, the foundation is laid for George Town to become a renowned destination for street art. The authorities must not allow the opportunity to go to waste.

Hyper-realistic dioramas by Sculpture at Work depicting a scene from King Street, George Town (7 June 2004)


The outstanding rendition of King Street, George Town, in diorama (7 June 2004)

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