The culture of street art in Malaysia is not something new, but has definitely gained more prominence today, what with the Instagrammable content people always seek, and the creative trend of revamping dark alleys and mouldy walls with a burst of colours and sketches. Let’s take a look at some of the famous and hidden murals in Klang Valley and the Northern region of Malaysia!
A bustling city is no stranger to the graffiti art. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are home to many street arts, most of them paying tributes both recent and ancient historical moments and figures, some recognised by all while some are only known by the locals.
Whenever you visit Klang, Selangor, make sure to stop by at their newest “safari” in town, The Safari Mural: a revamped alley painted with colourful depictions of Malaysia’s favourite animals. A team effort of both local and international mural artists, the picturesque trail of flora and fauna has added a new breath of life into the royal town. If you’re wondering about other attractions near The Safari Mural, click here for some ideas and watch the full Royal Klang Town’s Heritage Walk experience!
On the northern side of Selangor, don’t miss out on visiting the artworks of 40 ALFA International College’s students, titled A Taste of Life in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB). Originally, the town was home to four detailed murals depicting the everyday life in KKB, but these passionate students came in and contributed eight more! The series has added radiance to the peaceful and quiet town, some reminding us of our childhood and some reminding us of our favourite local food.
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, lies a vibrant, hidden alley in Bukit Bintang. Located near the Bukit Bintang MRT Station, Jalan Alor used to be on of those dark, dirty alleyways avoided and feared by the locals. Thanks to Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) series of mural projects, Jalan Alor was the first to be revamped into a must-visit spot in the city.
A hidden back alley that holds significant history that dates back to the 19th century, Kwai Chai Hong is located at Lorong Panggung, Kuala Lumpur. Apart from cosy, Instagrammable cafes and bars, you can also find interactive murals here! Get creative with the characters and don’t forget to scan the QR codes that are available on every mural for their special backstories!
Penang is already well-known for its interactive murals sought after by visitors to try and get creative with, and the street art culture here can be seen as the starting point for other states to adopt and follow suit.
Mostly created by the talented Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, some of the other famous murals in George Town, Penang are drawn with love by our local artists, such as Desmond Yeo and Artists for Stray Animals (ASA). You can also find 52 wire caricature dioramas by the local company Sculpture at Work across George Town!
Similarly, the street art scene in Ipoh, Perak is the also by the hands of Ernest Zacharevic. Sponsored by Oldtown Berhad in 2014, Ernest produced eight murals around the town’s shop houses’ walls, one of which has been painted over, leaving only seven of them for you to visit! In the following years, many more murals have emerged by both local and international artists, colouring the peaceful town. Get your Ipoh Mural Art Trail map at Ipoh Tourists Information Centre or Ipoh’s branch of Oldtown White Coffee!
Like the ripple effect, the street art culture continues to spread across the states, and you can now easily locate such creative works across Kedah as well, such as Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, and Kulim.
One of the many murals of different styles to be found in downtown Sungai Petani. Source: 360tour.asia
The back alley between Jalan Sekolah and Jalan Market, Kulim, Kedah. Source: Oh! Media
15 talented artists from Persatuan Pelukis Negeri Perlis have conquered the back alley of CIMB Bank Kangar to give it a facelift. The Kangar Street Art 2.0 project incorporates elements and people dear to the locals’ hearts, reflecting the unique Perlis identity.
It’s definitely exciting to see more and more works of art painting joy to our towns and cities, for what is life without art? Stay tuned for our Part 2 & 3 for more booming street art scenes across Malaysia!
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