Penang has long been known for its food, heritage and culture — but over the past decade, it has also earned a global reputation as one of the world’s most vibrant street art destinations. Walk through George Town today and you’ll find murals tucked behind cafés, splashed across heritage shophouses, hidden in alleys, and even painted on quiet village walls in Balik Pulau.
Whether you’re a traveller, photographer, or Penangite rediscovering the city, here is your complete guide to Penang street art — where it began, where to find the latest murals, and how street art continues to evolve in the island.
🌟 A Brief History: How Penang Became a Street Art Capital
Penang’s street art movement started gaining international attention in 2012 when Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic created a series of murals for the George Town Festival. His pieces — including “Boy on a Bike,” “Little Children on a Bicycle” and “Reaching Up” — became instant icons, turning everyday streets into living galleries.
After Zacharevic’s success, more artists from Malaysia and around the world were invited to create murals across the city. Soon, George Town’s UNESCO zone transformed into a colourful open-air museum blending art with heritage architecture.
Today, Penang’s street art landscape includes:
- Interactive murals
- Sculptural installations
- Metal rod caricatures
- Village murals
- New works commissioned by festivals, businesses, and communities
🎨 Must-See Iconic Street Art in George Town
Little Children on a Bicycle
This is Penang’s most famous piece of street art, created by Ernest Zacharevic as part of the original six murals he was commissioned to do for the “Mirrors of George Town” series back in 2012.
Location: Lebuh Armenian
I Want Bao
Illustrated by Kuala Lumpur-born and Penang-based artist WK Setor, this mural cum real-life bicycle installation is etched on the side of the Ming Xiang Tai pastry shop.
Location: Gat Lebuh Armenian
Reaching Up
This is another of Ernest Zacharevic’s original six “Mirrors of George Town” murals and has been painted here since 2012. It depicts a boy reaching for something inside the hole and it’s a nice example of Penang’s blend of two dimension and three-dimension street art.
Location: Lebuh Cannon
Chinese Woman Praying
This is one beautiful piece of mural art that uses a Chinese praying altar as part of the artwork. It shows a daily life of a typical Chinese lady that lifts her arm up to put the burning ritual joss sticks on the altar.
Indian Woman Under The Tree
This is one of Russian artist Julia Volchkova’s early murals in George Town. Her creativity of merging the existing tree with her illustration is definitely a brilliant work.
Location: Lorong Lumut
Little Boy and Pet Dinosaur
“Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur” depicts a small boy taking his dinosaur for a walk. The fact that the dinosaur is rendered in the form of child-like graffiti expresses the creative mind of small children and how they merge fantasy with reality.
Location: Lebuh Ah Quee
Boy on a Bike
This is also another Ernest Zacharevic’s famous piece of street art in George Town, Penang. There may have been thousands of people that have sat on the motorbike for a photo.
It is a contemplative portrait of a boy sitting on a motorcycle, with the mural blends seamlessly with the real motorbike attached to the wall.
Location: Lebuh Ah Quee
Children Playing Basketball
Children Playing Basketball is the second street mural painted by deaf-and-mute artist Louis Gan. It graces the wall of the Kwong Wah Yit Poh warehouse along Gat Lebuh Chulia.
Location: Gat Lebuh Chulia
Kung Fu Girl in Blue
Another interesting artwork which merges the painting with existing structure of the heritage building. Ernest Zacharevic drew the art as though the “kung fu girl” is trying to balance herself over the two windows of the shophouse.
Location: Lebuh Muntri
The Real Bruce Lee Would Never Do This
“The Real Bruce Lee Would Never Do This” is one of the murals painted by ASA, Artists for Stray Animals, in George Town, Penang for the 101 Lost Kittens project.
Location: Lebuh Ah Quee
Indian Boatman
In another of Julia Volchkova’s series of George Town murals, the Indian boatman is very realistic and stunning. The mural itself faces Lebuh Klang, which is at the junction with Lorong Stewart.
Location: Lorong Stewart
Old Soy Milk Stall
This art work is created in collaboration by St. Xavier’s Institution, Homesoy and Vilmedia and depicts an old lady at a soy milk stall serving bowls of soy milk to children.
Location: Gat Lebuh Chulia
Brother and Sister on a Swing
This is a famous Penang street art piece by local artist Luis Gan. It’s still in very good condition, despite the fact many tourists like to climb on the swing to the left to take their pictures.
Location: Gat Lebuh Chulia
Uncle Ng, the Clog Maker
This huge black and white portrait is the face of Uncle Ng, the Clog Maker. Interestingly, this is a real life person who is Ernest Zacharevic’s neighbour, who provided the inspiration for this work. However, due to the rain and sun, the artwork has faded since then.
Location: Lebuh Armenian
Beyond Murals: Penang’s Metal Rod Sculptures
One unique feature of Penang’s street art is the series of 52 metal rod sculptures installed around George Town. These witty caricatures depict stories from Penang’s history, local phrases, and cultural heritage.
Some notable ones include:
- “Narrowest Street” at Acheh Street
- “Mahjong Players” at Soo Hong Lane
- “Kopi O” sculpture on Chulia Street
They make excellent checkpoints for a heritage walk.
📸 Tips for Photographing Penang Street Art
- Go early morning for the best natural light and fewer crowds.
- Bring a wide-angle lens to capture murals on narrow streets.
- Explore side alleys — the best murals are often hidden.
- Be mindful of traffic, especially on busy roads.
- Respect the artwork — avoid climbing, touching or damaging installations.
Penang’s street art scene is constantly evolving — new murals appear, old ones fade, and fresh ideas continue to colour the island. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, walking through Penang feels like flipping through the pages of an art book where every corner has a story waiting to be discovered.
If you love culture, creativity and hidden gems, Penang remains one of the best places in Asia to explore street art.
