My travels through Malaysia have been nothing short of wonderful, and Penang, a short flight north from Kuala Lumpur, is no exception. George Town, the colorful capital of Penang, is well known for its street art, which is what initially drew me in. What kept me there was the delicious Indian food, live music, kind locals, kind tourists, kind hostel staff (it’s just the kind of place where everyone is kind), and more lovely cafes than I can count.

why so much art?

It originally became an art hub in 2012 when the city commissioned Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, to breathe life back into the streets.His work seamlessly blends into the environment through the creative use of props, such as a real bicycle, swing set and motorbike, that allows visitors to interact with the artwork. 

Since then, many other artists have contributed to make the city a vibrant, colorful masterpiece. Newer projects and emerging artists have sprouted up, such as Artists for Stray Animals, a group that raises awareness for street animals and shelters. They painted 12 pieces of cat art which, despite being 89 cats off, is they entitled “101 Lost Kittens,”

Below are a few pieces that I enjoyed, yet they only make up about half of what I actually found. I’ve included the general area of where they can be seen, though I recommend straying off the main street and meandering down the alleys to find hidden gems.

armenian st.

LEBUH SOO HONG

LEBUH CANNON (cat art central)

LEBUH CHULIA

GAT LEBUH CHULIA

LEBUH PANTAI

LEBUH AH QUEE

LEBUH STEWARt & LOVE LANE

SCATTERED GEMS