Tag: art

George Town Festival 2025 : After Dusk

“After Dusk”, the opening event of the George Town Festival 2025, transformed Padang Kota Lama (Penang Esplanade) into a vibrant nightscape on August 2–3 (update: extended till 10th August now) from 5pm-11pm with projection-mapping on Town Hall by Filamen (titled “TERANG”), cultural performances like “Starry Night” and “Transmute: Dengung Dalam Sepi”, a musical fusion set “Rhythms & Roots”, and a bustling night bazaar called “A Market Under a Starry Night” featuring local crafts and food. All events were free and celebrated this year’s theme, Rojak, symbolizing Malaysia’s colorful blend of cultures.

Penang Street Art (The Coconut Seller Mural)

Painted by local artist Vincent Phang, The mural captures Mr. Rangan, the legendary coconut seller who has been a fixture in Lorong Abu Siti (Aboo Sittee Lane), George Town for over 52 years. In his signature towel wrapped around his head, he’s shown expertly slicing open coconuts amidst the alley’s historic shophouse backdrop. The artwork celebrates not just his craftsmanship, but also the spirit of Penang’s street culture—and the quiet heroes who keep it alive day after day. It’s both a vivid portrait and a tribute to tradition and perseverance.

Penang Street Art (Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng)

An art mural painted by local artist Vincent Phang depicting the famous Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng stall at Cecil Street Market. This mural can be found at the corner shophouse of McNair Street and Cecil Street Market junction.

Located at Cecil Street Market in George Town, Penang, this family-run stall has served its signature duck meat kōay teow th’ng since the late 1970s. It earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025, praised for its savory clear broth packed with umami, silky duck, pork, fish cakes, fish balls, duck blood jelly, and aromatic fried garlic and shallot bits—served over smooth flat rice noodles.

Penang Street Art (Beacon of Hope / Bomba Street Art)

The “Beacon of Hope” mural, also known as Bomba Street Art, is a 100-meter-long public artwork beside Malaysia’s oldest fire station on Beach Street, Penang. Painted by muralist Tam Yaw Tyng in 2023, it features 18 vibrant panels that honor the bravery of firefighters, including tributes to seven fallen heroes. Commissioned by The Learning Kingdom Education and supported by the Penang Fire Department, the mural transforms the alleyway into a meaningful tribute to courage and sacrifice—now a popular stop in George Town’s UNESCO heritage zone.

Penang Street Art (The ‘Sad Art’ Cement Eclipses Tiny Figure Miniatures)

During the George Town Festival, Spanish artist Isaac Cordal brought a unique touch to Penang by placing around 20 tiny cement sculptures—known as Cement Eclipses—throughout George Town. These small, somber-looking figures, about 17–20 cm tall, can be found perched on walls, ledges, and electrical boxes, often high above eye level. Blending quietly into the city’s heritage architecture, they invite passersby to pause, look up, and discover hidden corners of the city—like a little art treasure hunt tucked into the urban landscape.

Here is the list of locations where you can hunt/find these tiny art sculptures (note: some may no longer be there anymore or removed):

  • Armenian Street Junction (opposite the famous bicycle mural)
  • Biscotti Cafe, Beach Street
  • Warehouse 129, Beach Street
  • Fuku (side alley of the building), Beach Street
  • The Courtyard, Beach Street
  • Vietnamese Phở & Coffee @ Lean Thye 1951 (building’s back), Ah Quee Street
  • Lebuh Ah Quee Junction
  • 56, Lorong Pasar
  • Penang Straits and Oriental Museum, Stewart Lane
  • 39, Love Lane
  • 33, Love Lane
  • Journal George Town, Muntri Street
  • Green-colored Townhouses along Magazine Road
  • Curios-City Penang, Victoria Street
  • U.A.B Building Interior (closed at the time of this hunt)

Penang Street Art (Barefoot Char Koay Teow Stall)

A recent colorful mural is created to celebrate the legacy of Tan Bak Juah, a well-loved char koay teow hawker known for cooking barefoot over a charcoal stove—a tradition passed down from his father. Painted by local artist Vincent Phang on McNair Street, the tribute honors Tan’s decades of dedication and highlights the charm and heritage of Malaysia’s street food culture. This char koay teow stall is located inside the nearby Cecil Street market.

Penang Street Art (Street Art by Alex Face)

Above murals created by Thai artist Alex Face in various parts of George Town, featuring his signature three-eyed, bunny-eared child character. First one is at Ah Quee Street while the second one is at Toh Aka Lane.

Alex Face (real name Patcharapon Tangruen) last month turned a 1,300km cycling trip from Bangkok to Penang into something unexpectedly beautiful — an art exhibition. Along the way, he captured the quiet beauty and slow disappearance of rural landscapes through 16 striking paintings, which were on display in his solo show Faded Landscapes at Cultprint in George Town, Penang (March 15 – May 18, 2025).

Each piece was infused with his usual signature three-eyed, bunny-eared child character, symbolizing innocence observing a changing world. The works reflected places and moments from his journey — from misty rice fields in Alor Setar to the fading charm of George Town’s sunsets. The exhibition was also part of Penang Long Art Weekend, celebrating creativity throughout the city with murals, talks, and more.

Penang Street Art (Art Murals at Sungai Ara)

The new 3D murals, “Ice Cream Seller” and “Hide and Seek,” have quickly become a popular attraction in Taman Jajar, Sungai Ara. Created by artist Andersen Tan I-Han and unveiled on January 6, 2025, these murals feature local figures, such as an ice cream seller and neighborhood children. This project is part of an initiative to improve the aesthetics and cultural identity of Sungai Ara. The murals have transformed a once-empty space into a vibrant spot for photography, fostering community engagement and pride. There are plans to add more murals in the future to further enhance the area’s appeal as a cultural hub.