Story by Chan Lilian, Pix by Alissala Thian
PENANG is once again in the limelight with the Urban Xchange international street festival. It is the first time a street art featuring artists from New York, Berlin, Copenhagen, Manchester, Melbourne took place.
These 15 talented artists gathered at Penang to create 18 murals between Nov 15-23. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng dropped by the Hin Bus Depo Art Centre on Nov 21 to meet up with some of the artists including the famous Ernest Zacharevic from Lithuania.
“Penang hopes to be the platform for international and local arts group. We hope to be the centre for arts and culture to flourish where we have the space, tolerance for new ideas and for creativity. Penang is willing to support this efforts and encourage local artists to grow,” Lim said.
Urban Nation from Berlin was represented by Elisabetia Pajer, the executive assistant to Yasha Yoong, Director of Urban Nation at the launch. Urban Nation aims to bring together artists that shape and enrich urban spaces in neighbourhoods in every corner of the world and around the globe. It is a unique vision with the goal to support renowned and up-and-coming contemporary artists alike as well as cities and their inhabitants.
Ernest explained why Urban Nation was brought to Penang. He said, “Urban Nation will be able to see the talents from Malaysia and it is spectacular that Penang is chosen. Everyone loves Penang. There is something special about Penang. Kuala Lumpur is too modern but Penang is more relaxed.”
Have you been on the lookout for the 18 murals around Penang? The murals are all over the city and even in Balik Pulau. Local artists like Donald Abraham, Kenji Chai, Bibichun and more also contributed their pieces on the walls. Spot them by finding out the locations of these murals. Go to facebook.com/hinbusdepot