PETALING JAYA: Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic is helping the Penang government to restore three of his most iconic street art murals in George Town.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Han Wai said they reached out to Zacharevic in response to public concerns over the deterioration of the murals from natural weathering.
The murals are the “Children on a Bicycle” on Armenian Street, “Boy on Motorbike” on Ah Quee Street, and “Boy on Chair” on Cannon Street.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Zacharevic for his willingness to return and restore these significant works,” Wong said in a statement today.
“His contributions have had a lasting impact on Penang, and we are confident that the restored murals will continue to inspire visitors from around the world.”
Wong also expressed hope that the restoration project will encourage more artists, both local and international, to contribute to Penang’s thriving arts scene, keeping the city alive as a creativity hub.
He said the restoration efforts are receiving full support from the state government.
“We are excited to witness the revitalisation of these artworks, ensuring that they continue to enrich the cultural landscape of George Town for many years to come,” he said.
Zacharevic first painted these murals during the 2012 George Town Festival, gaining worldwide attention. His works were later featured in Lonely Planet’s Street Art book, compiled by independent curator Ed Bartlett in 2017.
George Town stood out as the only Asian city featured alongside iconic street art locations such as Banksy’s work in London, and French artist Invader’s mosaics across European cities.
