George Town, the colourful capital of Penang, combines three distinct cultures to create a unique city steeped in history. This remarkable place is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage - all reflected in the excellent food, architecture and art, that is infused throughout the streets of the capital. This post is the first of two about this city, and explores the street art of George Town.
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| Brother and Sister on a Swing by Louis Gan, Gat Lebuh Chulia Street |
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Known for its unique multicultural heritage, which is recognised by its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city will appeal to foodies, photographers and history-buffs alike. As well as exhibiting Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage, the streets of George Town also reveal its European history, Portuguese and British to be exact. For the latter you may have guessed this link by its name, but it is also evident from Saint George's Anglican Church and the various British Colonial buildings.
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| Pilgrims by Baba Chuah, Acheen Street/ Lebuh Acheh |
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After receiving its UNESCO title, art has exploded onto the streets of George Town (quite literally). Starting as a government-commissioned public exhibition, artwork made from steel-rods were placed all around the city, effectively making an open air gallery. These structures depict the story of the people of George Town. The above photo shows one of these sculptures, this particular one portrays of muslim pilgrims boarding a ship to Mecca.
Fun fact: the famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo was born on Penang, and one of the steel sculptures marks the spot where he trained as an apprentice in shoe-making.
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| Little Children on a Bicycle by Ernest Zacharevic, Armenian Street |
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| Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur by Ernest Zacharevic, Ah Quee Street |
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Since this government initiative, artists have been invited to create art on the walls of buildings. These paintings reflect the diversity of life in George Town, bringing physical form to the intangible heritage of this city. Street art maps can be used to locate the artworks, as well as local tour guides (I have also added the name and location in the photo captions of street art included in this post). As you can see from my images, the paintings are interactive and therefore designed for the viewer to step into the 'scene' - so have your camera at the ready!
It is unavoidable that other tourists will also be seeking out the street art, but a lesser-known place is Art Lane. This walkway, made from pre-World War II shophouses, is lined with colourful murals.
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| Art Lane |
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| Art Lane |
George Town was one of my favourite places on my trip to Malaysia; I loved that you could be walking through Little India on one street, turn the corner and be in the middle of China Town in the next. Seeking out the street art was an easy (and cheap) way to explore the city and soak in the culture of George Town. Be sure to factor in sampling the famous street food and the quirky coffee shops as you wander around the city in search for art.
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| I want Pau! by WK Setor, Armenian Street |
* all content is my own
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