Since Ernest Zacharevic etched the bunch of original murals as part of the George Town Festival in 2012, Penang street art has become a main tourism drawcard to the island. In a way, it’s a pity, as there is so much more to do in Penang, and the wall art has somehow distracted visitors and kept them even more within a cluster of roads around Chulia Street in George Town.
Check out our Penang itineraries:
> What to do in Penang in 3 Days
> 48 Hours in Penang the Smart Way
Other Cool Stuff to do in Penang:
> Hike Penang Hill’s Secret Trail
> 7 Alternative Penang Markets and Shops that Beat Shopping Malls
> 5 of Penang Famous but Unmissable Festivals
> 5 Unmissable Places for Roti Bakar, Penang Famous Breakfast
> 5 Health and Yoga Centres in Penang that are worth your time
On the other hand, Penang wall art is at times very interesting and can be quite quirky, odd and crazy. And we have decided to present it to you on the convenience of your screen.
It’s all thanks to the help of our photographer friend Bertrand Linet, who has decided to scour all of George Town on foot looking for every corner where one can find street art, wall art, mural paintings, and installations. And now, we are very happy to start presenting a series of posts that collect ALL of George Town street art.
Consider it as a digital way to preserve what, in some cases, has already disappeared, battered by tropical rain, intense sun, and the passing of time.
As the quantity of artworks is huge, and there is no apparent main theme, we have decided to present them to you organized in several categories. This first collection of 16 murals are only portraits of women. Consider it a tribute to the women of Penang, and the world!
1Wushu Girl
Found on Lebuh Muntri, on the wall of Moon Tree, and actually by Ernest Zacharevic. He said he was inspired by one of his young art students. The mural stands right opposite one of Penang’s most important Chinese wushu associations… yet, she has become better known in many websites as the “kung fu girl” 🙂
2Malay Woman with Penang Island T-Shirt
Found on Lebuh Tye Sin, a perpendicular of popular Beach Street.
3Little girl with Cheongsam walking on Numbers
Found on Beach street, in front of the access to Toh Aka Lane. The painting depicts Alexandra, then 4-year-old, daughter of the former owner of Lang Hoose Residences. The artist is Joshua Yang from Singapore. Alexandra is stepping on numbers on the floor that indicate 269 Beach Street, which is Lang Hoose Residences’ address.
4 Old Woman with Alien Cat
Huge wall mural in the car park close to the junction of Beach Street and Chulia Street, behind the corner from “Coffee on the Table“.
5The Girl with Foxes
Along the western side of Presgrave Road, in walking distance from Hin Bus Depot.
6Kampung Girl in the Garden
Found on Lebuh Trang.
7The Afghan Girl
Found on Lebuh Trang, next to the Kampung Girl in the Garden, this is a mock-up of Steve McCurry’s famous portrait that made a National Geographic cover.
8Namaste under the Tree
Found on the street beside Masjid Lebuh Aceh, by Russian artist Julia Volchkova.
9Dreamy Malay Girl
Found in the inner square along Nagore Road. It should be a portrait of Wanida, one of Hin Bus Depot’s co-curators.
10The Girl in the Rainforest
Found along Jalan Bawasah, by New York-based artist Elle, and created during the Urban Xchange project.
12Ballerina on the Archway
Found on the corner of Love Lane and Muntri Street, at the side of Wan Hai Hotel.
14The Tall Girl Waiting for Something
Found on the wall of First Avenue (one of Penang’s Best Shopping Malls), along Jalan Magazine. It’s a very tall and impressive mural.
15Easter Egg Girl
Found on Prangin Road Ghaut, between Beach Street and Weld Quay.
16The Badass Peranakan Girl
Found on Nagore Road.
