Tag: mural

Penang Street Art (Love Our Turtles)

In the heart of George Town, a new mural at Armenian Street has turned heads while spreading an important message — “Love Our Turtles”. Launched as part of a month-long campaign (Aug 15 – Sept 14, 2025) by the IKHTIAR Foundation and proudly sponsored by ecoBrown’s, the artwork blends Penang’s cultural vibrancy with a call to protect endangered sea turtles and our oceans. More than just street art, this mural is part of a larger conservation movement, reminding visitors and locals alike that preserving marine life is as vital as celebrating heritage. The artwork is located just across the “Children on Bicycle” mural.

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 (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.

Penang Street Art (Kapal Haji @ Acheen Street Mosque)

Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu (Jamek) Lebuh Acheh) in Penang was founded in 1808 by Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid, an Arab trader from Aceh, Sumatra. What makes it unique is that the mosque not only served as a place of worship but also as a center for trade and diplomacy among the Arab, Indian, and Malay Muslim communities in early Penang. The surrounding area, known as “Malay Town”, became a vibrant hub for merchants and pilgrims heading to Mecca.

An interesting connection between Acheen Street Mosque’s minaret and a lighthouse is that some believe the octagonal minaret was designed to resemble a beacon for travelers—just like a lighthouse guiding ships. Since the mosque was historically linked to Hajj pilgrims and traders, its tower-like minaret might have symbolized guidance and direction, much like how a lighthouse helps sailors navigate.

Penang Street Art (Text ART @ Hins Bus Depot)

A text art mural spotted at the Hins Bus Depot in George Town.

Hin Bus Depot in Penang was originally a bus repair and maintenance depot built in the 1940s. It was later transformed into a vibrant creative hub after hosting Ernest Zacharevic’s first solo art exhibition in 2014. Today, it’s a thriving space for art, culture, and community events, featuring galleries, markets, and cafés while still preserving its industrial charm.