If you love street art and street food, Penang is the destination for you. This little island off the coast of Malaysia has a plethora of amazing street art and delicious food for the foodie and art lover alike. In fact, I spent a whole weekend navigating my way around Penang’s capital, George Town from artwork to artwork (and street stall to street stall). As a massive fan of street art, it was the best way to explore the city.
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- The best way to explore Penang, is by following the art
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- ‘Children Playing Basketball’ – Louis Gan
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- ‘Little Girl In Blue’ – Ernest Zacharevic
Life Imitates Art, Imitates Life
Most of my favourite murals in George Town were done by Lithuanian artist, Ernest “Zach” Zacharevic, who is a master of all artistic disciplines; be it installations, oil paintings, stencilling and sculptures. In 2012 he rose to fame after he was commissioned to create six pieces of street art that celebrated the culture and lifestyle of George Town, titled Mirrors George Town.
‘The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler’ – Ernest Zacharevic
Since then, he’s created amazing art around the world and his pieces in George Town are a major drawcard for tourists and art admirers. BBC even named him “Malaysia’s answer to Banksy”.
‘Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur’ & ‘Boy on Bike’… & Ling – Ernest Zacharevic
I love that a lot of his works implement part of the physical environment into the art. I also love that they are interactive, allowing the audience to become part of the art!
Ling & ‘Little Children on a Bicycle’ – Ernest Zacharevic
Another stand out for me were the two pieces by local deaf/mute artist Louis Gan who was self-taught. Isn’t that amazing!? He certainly puts our stick figure drawings to shame!
Ling and the ‘Brother and Sister on a Swing’ – Louis Gan
‘I Want Pau’ – WK Setor
Love street food as much as you love street art? Check out our post on the street food in Penang.
Marking George Town
The iron sculpture series celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage site
Did you know George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? To celebrate and promote the fact, the Penang State Government ran an international competition in 2009 to find ways to creatively and artistically mark the public spaces of the historical city.
Each sculpture tells a different story about George Town
Kuala Lumpur-based company, Sculpture At Work, won the competition and created illustrated iron-rod sculptures that told enlightening stories of the history and culture of George Town.
The sculptures are interesting and light-hearted
52 pieces of artwork adorn the sides of buildings and streets throughout the World Heritage Site and are a fantastic way to navigate around the city, whilst learning interesting facts about George Town.
Some pieces are easier to find than others…
Despite all of my efforts over two days, I didn’t quite see all 52 (I think I managed to get 47 all up though, so not a bad effort!). Some pieces were removed during the time I was searching for them, but it was still a fun activity! If you are planning on seeing as much as you can, make sure you stay hydrated and have sunscreen, as the days can be long and hot!
If you want to see all 52 pieces, have a map and time handy!
Quirky Street Art
I don’t know why, but there seems to be a theme (or strange obsession, if you will) with Minions and cats in a lot of the street art. I know, I don’t get it either… (Dog people over here, folks!)
Cats vs Minons…
Asian minion…
Cat and art lovers unite in George Town, Penang
Not exactly ‘street art’, but still creative!
Love Malaysian food? Check out the recipe for a Malaysian classic, Chicken Curry here.
Planning your Street Art Journey
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- The Marking George Town series is a great way to learn about Penang’s capital
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- So much art, hidden in plain sight
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- ‘Reaching Up’ – Ernest Zacharevic
Street Art Penang Map
Here is a fantastic interactive map that you can use on your phone, or if you are a bit old school like me, you can pick up maps of George Town in most cafes, hostels and hotels. With a little bit of prep work (using the map above when you are in the comforts of your accommodation and have wifi access), you can mark out all the highlights on the map and cross them out as you go and save the phone for photos and selfies. Oh and calls, I guess.
I prefer using the ‘old school’ map and a pen method to checking off the art
Or, if you have access to a printer, I absolutely love the flyer from Visit Penang, as it has the map with the artwork marked on it, plus a snippet of information on each piece of the Marking George Town series. Penang Travel Tips also has plenty of information on the street art in Penang.
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- One of my favourites, done by a local
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- The street art here crosses cultures and styles
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- Appropriate art for the Tipsy Tiger hostel
If you want a fun experience, hire a trishaw for an hour. They are generally targeted towards tourists and can be found on main streets (such as Beach Street), and they will take you around the sights, pointing out the street art as you relax in comfort. If you are good at haggling, you could get away with an hour’s ride for around RM30. Make sure you negotiate and settle on a price before you hop on board! My driver was great and stopped at interesting sights and had plenty of info on George Town’s art and history.
Getting around by trishaw is a fun way to see George Town
My driver was excited to show off the Bruce Lee vs the Cat art
Getting to Penang
Penang is located on the northwest coast of Malaysia and can easily be reached by car/bus or plane. Flights are cheap (from memory, I paid about $14 one-way from Kuala Lumpur) and are reasonably quick (flying time from KL is around 50 minutes). Taxis from the airport are normally pre-paid and can get you to George Town within 30 minutes. For more info, check out http://www.penangairport.com/getting-to-penang-airport/penang-airport-taxis.htm
‘I Want Pau’ – WK Setor
So if you are a fan of art, a trip to Penang should definitely be on your travel wish list! There’s always new art popping up all the time, and the city of George Town itself has a really funky vibe about it.
Have you visited Penang? What was your favourite piece of street art? What city has surprised you with their street art scene? Comment below?
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This is so cool, I love seeing interactive street art and this is quite unique. I need to go back to Penang because this was not the scene when I last visited about 15 years ago.
You’re right, Noel. I think most of the art scene really exploded sometime after 2011. Shame you didn’t get to see it when you were there. All the more reason to visit Penang again! 😉
woow this is such an interesting place I have never heard about before! Now that is what I call great street art! You’ve managed to take really fun photos.
Thanks Sia! To be honest, I had not heard much about Penang either, but fell in love with it when I was there! It has a very cool vibe and the art and food is pretty awesome!
Penang is such an interesting city, in every corner a new mural, painting, graffiti… I’m planning to go soon, so you tips about the route and how planning a visit to all the streets are very helpful, thanks!! And your photos are amazing 🙂
Thank you Natalie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I hope you enjoy your visit!
Penang is definitely an up and coming travel destination, I loved that there was art every where you turned. My favourite photo of yours has to be with your trishaw rider posing as Bruce Lee!
Haha Yeah, the trishaw rider was a character! The people are very friendly there, and it’s certainly the destination for colourful art and food!
Wow these are all pretty remarkable! I think the coolest is the one with the swing. I’d totally be all over these when I visit Penang St someday.
I loved the Swing one too 🙂 I look forward to seeing your photos when you do visit!
I really enjoyed reading this and love your pictures. I really love street art so would love to be able to this!
Thank you Anita! If you love street art, you won’t be disappointed in Penang!
It looks like you had so much fun! I love the one of the little boy and his pet dinosaur! I’ll be in KL in November, I may just have to make a side trip to Panang.
I highly recommend a Penang side trip, Mags! Flights to Penang are quite cheap from KL and you could easily enjoy a weekend there! If you haven’t already, check out our post on the Food Tour in Penang, as it was also a highlight of the trip. Let us know how you go!
I’d seen photos of some of this street art before but I had never known where it was, so thank you!! I really love the ones done by Ernest Zacharevic because they are interactive. Great photos!
I love Ernest Zacharevic’s stuff too. I love how animated and detailed the subjects are! Glad you know where to find them all now!
I’ve read so many articles about the street art in Penang-looks like I will have to go see it for myself. Thanks for the map and marking them all-so useful!
Thanks Anna! The map was definitely useful! I hope you enjoy Penang as much as I did!