Photo Credit: The Star, Facebook
Graffiti and vandals have put an abrupt stop on a large-scale wall mural project in Ipoh. The project, to paint 57 wall murals, was launched in conjunction with Malaysia’s 57th Merdeka Day.
Artist Eric Lai had so far completed 33 pieces of artwork on the walls of several buildings at an alley behind Jalan Masjid and Jalan Sultan Iskandar in Ipoh. At the moment, he is unsure if he is able to complete his artwork in time because of the graffiti.
The graffiti was first discovered on the 30th of July by a student (of Lai). According to Lai, the wall had been vandalized with an image of a skull praying in a strange way.
“I am now worried for my safety. I am also worried for my students and family,” said Lai, who runs an art studio in Bercham.
According to Lai, he was approached by the Ipoh City Council to carry out the project, which was also initiated to “add life to the dirty looking walls” and to turn it into an art lane.
“I am saddened by the irresponsible act,” he said. “I have lodged police reports as some of the logos scribbled may be seen as representing certain groups,” said Lai.
Some of the graffiti sprayed on the walls (beside the completed artworks) include logos, possibly representing underworld groups. The remaining empty walls have also been sprayed with vulgarities.
Despite the vandalism, people are still taken in with the murals painted on the walls, some of which depict children playing hide-and seek, a man bearing a kavadi, a wayang kulit show, a Chinese cultural dance and even a black and while mural depicting an airplane, in memory of the passengers and crew of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Story and quote from: The Star
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