ART & LOCATIONS

by Marat Danilyan

Inspired by the everyday sights and people of Balik Pulau, the artwork brings together a collage of textures, patterns, plants and objects observed along its streets. At the heart of the composition is a local street hawker, portrayed going about his daily routine with a cheerful and positive spirit.

Rather than focusing on well-known landmarks or attractions, Marat Danilyan was drawn to the ordinary details of daily life and the people who give the neighbourhood its character. Through these elements, the artwork captures his impressions of the local community and the simple rhythms of life in Balik Pulau.

by Leonard Siaw and Jagung

Celebrating two of Balik Pulau’s traditional agricultural livelihoods, the artwork portrays the people behind its rice fields and durian orchards. Leonard Siaw’s piece pays tribute to the dedication of rice farmers and the care involved in cultivating and harvesting the crop, while Jagung depicts a durian farmer inspecting his freshly harvested fruit before it is sent to market.

Together, the two scenes recognise the important role of farmers in Balik Pulau and their contribution to the local economy. They also reflect the agricultural traditions that have long been part of the community’s identity, from rice cultivation to durian farming passed down through generations.

by Judith de Leeuw

The mural depicts a fisherman pushing his boat into the water, summoning the last of his strength as he prepares to face the challenges ahead. His determination is represented by the ‘fire’ within him — the passion and love for his livelihood that drives him forward despite exhaustion and the uncertainty of the sea.

Beyond the fisherman’s story, the artwork carries a broader message about the inner drive that keeps us pursuing what matters to us. It reflects the strength to persevere through difficult circumstances, even when the journey demands courage, resilience and sacrifice.

by Abdulrashade and Andharas

Featuring a batik artisan at work, this collaborative mural captures the skill and dedication involved in the traditional Malaysian craft. The intricate process of creating batik involves several stages, from applying wax to the fabric to dyeing or painting and drying the finished piece.

Here, Penangite Abdulrashade and Malacca-based artist Andharas pay tribute to those who continue to practise the craft by hand despite its time-consuming process. The artwork celebrates their commitment to preserving the skills and traditions of batik for future generations.

by Julia Volchkova

The artwork depicts a young Malay girl playing with toy blocks, using them to build the structures of her imagined future city. Originally created for the installation at Karpal Singh Drive, the scene draws inspiration from George Town, a city shaped by centuries of development.

Looking beyond the present, the girl imagines how the city might continue to evolve while retaining the heritage that gives it its distinctive character. Her sense of wonder and curiosity captures a hopeful vision of the future, where the old and new can continue to exist side by side.

by Kenji Chai

Celebrating Penang’s multicultural identity, the colourful mural depicts a smiling young girl wearing a batik headband and balancing a basket filled with symbols associated with Penang, including a pinang tree and a dusky leaf monkey. Her joyful expression reflects a sense of belonging and pride in the place she calls home.

Through these cultural and natural elements, Kenji Chai highlights the importance of nurturing an appreciation of local identity from a young age. The artwork carries a broader message about preserving Penang’s cultural and natural heritage, ensuring that these connections remain meaningful for future generations.

by Sasha Korban

The mural portrays a local trishaw rider, a familiar presence on the streets of George Town and part of the city’s living heritage. For generations, trishaws have offered visitors a distinctive way to explore the heritage enclave while providing a livelihood for those who continue this longstanding tradition.

In the scene, the rider has stopped near a heritage building and is enthusiastically sharing its story with a passenger. Through this interaction, Sasha Korban captures the trishaw rider’s role not only in navigating the historic streets, but also in bringing George Town’s stories and heritage to life for visitors.

by Bibichun

Created as a tribute to Chuah Thean Teng, widely regarded as the Father of Batik Painting, the mural depicts a Malay woman dressed in a traditional kebaya and batik sarong, accompanied by a young child. She is shown working on a batik painting of herself, drawing on the subjects and imagery that featured prominently in Chuah’s work.

Through this interpretation, Bibichun honours the artist whose experimentation with batik as a medium developed into a lifelong artistic pursuit. The artwork celebrates his distinctive contribution to Malaysian art and the legacy of batik painting he helped establish.

by Emmanuel Jarus

The artwork portrays a local fisherman preparing to head out to sea, capturing the courage and determination behind a simple but demanding livelihood. His story also reflects the importance of the sea to Penang as a source of food that sustains communities on both the island and mainland.

Beyond the fisherman’s individual story, Emmanuel Jarus explores a broader idea of connection and mutual support. Just as the sea links the island and mainland, the piece reflects how people from different communities and walks of life can contribute to and support one another to build a better future.

by Caryn Koh

The artwork portrays a young woman, a close friend of the artist, seated quietly while holding a braided rope in her hands. Set against the context of Batu Kawan and the Second Penang Bridge, the piece draws on the idea of connection between the mainland and Penang Island.

The rope becomes a symbol of connection to what lies ahead, much like a bridge linking one place to another. Although the young woman appears hesitant as she looks towards an uncertain future, she continues to hold on, expressing a sense of hope for what is yet to come.