Proliferation of Street Art in George Town

Ernest Zacharevic opened the trap door of a pandora box that has since let loose a host of street art on George Town. Until then, in most people's mind, wall murals means something you see on the walls of schools and kindergartens. Zacharevic came along to show us that it could be much more than the oft-repeated Rukun Negaras and Mickey Mice.

Now everybody with brush in hand seems to think he/she has what it takes to paint the walls. As a result George Town is being subjected to street art that should not be there, to the chagrin of many. I have called for the city to support local artists, but now I am getting concerned that we are inundated with the "Streets Duds of George Town".

Little Children on a Bicycle, one of the most beloved murals by Ernest Zacharevic (30 June 2012)


There has been insinuations that Zacharevic was successful because he was foreign, and that the authorities support foreign artists over local ones. Having seen his work, I do not believe that to be true. Zacharevic was given the approval to paint his murals based on his past body of work. Although up till then he wasn't a famous artist, his art reflected an outstanding quality not demonstrated by local artists.

Many people think they can draw. They got A for Art. Some are graduates from fine-art colleges, and now they want the government to support their work. Alas, it doesn't work that way. It shouldn't. Remember this: it was not George Town Festival that sought out Zacharevic. It was the other way around. If you want support, you have to first demonstrate you have what it takes.

It's easy to say, "We are just as good as Zacharevic." Go ahead, show us. Often, the result pales in comparison.

What is demanded goes beyond the talent to draw.
Question: How do you get a continuous stream of admirers to take photos of themselves with your mural?
Answer: Not unless you pay them, the only way is to perfectly interpret the vivacity of George Town in your work.
Goddit? Many don't. For clues, look at the choice of subject in Zacharevic's murals. Unless you got that right, you will subject George Town with insufferable street duds.

Our Art is Dying (15 September 2012)


I am finally showing Our Art Is Dying (above) on Penang Travel Tips. No offence to the artist, but in my opinion, this is too grotesque for the walls of George Town. It may receive a trickle of visitors, but nowhere in comparison to the deluge of the Zacharevic murals around the corner. The reason has nothing to do with the nationality of the artist, it's the choice of subject. Let me be frank: when it comes to the walls in George Town, no artist can claim complete autonomy over what he puts there. When we want to put something on the wall for all to see, we should not think only of ourselves, but of the public at large. In particular, think of little girls and boys who could be scared of what they view.

(I remember when I was small, I was scared of passing through Carnarvon Street, because it had a lot of coffin shops. The fear only ebbed when I entered primary school, and had to visit bookshops on that street. If you think it's silly to be scared of places, you're thinking like a grown up. We have to remember that public space is for all people, grown ups and children. Children react differently, and we have to make room for that and respect their rights.)

Would I tell the artist of Our Art Is Dying to stop painting on the walls of George Town? Definitely not. But I would encourage her to understand what George Town needs, and to put that ahead of what agenda we may have. In other words, what the streets of George Town needs is mainstream art that celebrates the vivacity of life and living, not the morbidity of death and dying. There would be followers of such art, and there's a word for it: off-mainstream.

To be fair, not every mural done by Zacharevic was successful. Little Girl in Blue was, in my opinion, a dud. It could have been better. The problem is, you never knew how it would turn out till it's done. So there's always the possibility of hatching a lemon. Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur was an enormous risk - it takes guts to do a dinosaur rather than a kite - yet that's the magic of it.

Brother and Sister on a Swing mural (14 November 2012)


Probably the most promising artist to grace our walls with murals is Louis Gan. His Brother and Sister on a Swing was perfect, and for a while, he appears to be the heir apparent of the attention that the George Town street art is getting.

Then comes the dud. Louis's second mural, of two children playing basketball, came out too fast too soon. It isn't as good as the first. The girl seems to be levitating, like she's on helium, while the boy is way out of proportion. I was quite disappointed. Did he succumb to pressure? This one I want to quickly forget, but I am full of hope that Louis's next mural will thrill me. (Update, March 2013: Louis Gan roared back on my approval list with his Nostalgic Meal Order mural!)

The Louis Gan mural in progress (15 November 2012)


Louis Gan: Children Playing Ball mural (24 November 2012)


Meanwhile, Louis is also fending off accusations that he did not get permission from the authorities, and that he wasn't using environmentally-friendly paint. Oh c'mon! Is this how you support our local talent, particularly our young, fragile artists? Perhaps En Tze (the artist of Our Art is Dying) is right after all, that our local authorities don't do enough to support local talent. On the other hand, judging by what goes up the wall - and our wall space is precious - perhaps the authorities are right in being cautious.

Penang Municipal Fountain 3D Art (2 November 2012)


Finally there's iBox Glass, whose maiden effort was the 3D floor mural at Youth Park. I did not care much for the subject matter, and of course I made that known. However I am enthusiastic that iBox Glass is bringing 3D to local street art. IBox Glass is now working on a second piece of mural - with blessings from the local authorities - for a 3D mural along Magazine Road Ghaut. At time of writing (30 November 2012), the mural is half complete, and all I can say is, "So far so good." I badly need something new to like, and if this one comes out right, I will be first in giving it an ovation.

Work in Progress: Magazine Road Ghaut 3D Mural; I'm having high hopes this one will not disappoint me (29 November 2012)


I continue to encourage and root for all the artists who have done the street art in George Town. I hope they will not let my criticism discourage them. To be a successful George Town street artist, one has to develop the tenacity (aka the thick skin) to survive the criticism. As I've mentioned before, and repeatedly, anybody wishing to paint the walls in George Town has to put the city's needs ahead of his/her own. It thrills me whenever I get to see a new piece that I can rave about, and I am very hopeful of that.

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