Students’ murals on cultural heritage brighten up 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh

AN ART academy’s students put their skills to the test by beautifying part of The RiverCity in Kuala Lumpur with vibrant murals.

The paintings by students of Dasein Academy of Art showcase Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and contribute to the revitalisation of the community space.

The project is a collaboration with The RiverCity, a mixed commercial development by the Low Yat Group consisting of eight low-density blocks located on 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh.

It is part of their ongoing commitment to promoting local art and enhancing urban vitality through placemaking initiatives.

Mural titled ‘Explore Malaysia’s Multicultural Menu’ by (from left) Zhi Xuen, Jie Hua and Zi Wei.

A total of 34 students participated in painting the murals from June 12 to June 15, guided by three lecturers.

They worked on the three winning murals which were done by three teams.

Titled “Explore Malaysia’s Multicultural Menu,” the mural by Tan Jie Hua, Tan Zhi Xuen, and Foo Zi Wei takes viewers on a culinary journey through Malaysia’s diverse food heritage.

It features iconic dishes such as nasi lemak, satay, cendol and roti canai, symbolising unity in Malaysia’s food culture.

“Malaysia’s food is rich and diverse, so we incorporated a variety of local ethnic specialities into the mural,” said Zhi Xuen.

Zi Wei added: “We use multiple languages as our design elements in this mural, such as Malay, English, Tamil, Mandarin and bahasa rojak to showcase Malaysia’s unique lingo.”

Titled “Cultural Fusion Vista,” the mural by Ngu Shin Yiing, Teng Jia Hui and Yeo Ken Siang depicts Malaysia’s rich cultural mosaic, showcasing the traditions and heritage of the Malay, Indian, Chinese, Kadazan and Iban communities.

“Our team decided to use the five races in Malaysia to bring out our culture theme,” said Jia Hui. This mural features traditional dances, festivals, attire and musical instruments such as congkak, songkok, wau, lanterns, mandarin oranges, and sape.

(From left) Shin Yiing, Jia Hui and Ken Siang with their mural ‘Cultural Fusion Vista’ at The RiverCity. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

The third mural, titled “Life of a Traveller,” was by Adrian Chan Kye Ming and Yee Kam Fook. It illustrates a traveller’s adventures through Malaysia’s diverse landscapes, traditional dishes, exotic wildlife, and iconic landmarks.

“For the background and design, we wanted something simple yet easy to identify,” said Adrian.

This mural features famous landmarks such as the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Batu Caves and Penang’s Kek Lok Si Temple.

“We also incorporated symbols to represent some states in the country, such as the areca nut palm tree, Mount Kinabalu and eagles,” he added.

Present were Low Yat Group group executive director and The RiverCity managing director Low Su Ming, The RiverCity’s senior marketing manager Chan Wai Yee, and Dasein Academy of Art president Gooi Hean Chye.

Gooi thanked The RiverCity for providing the students an opportunity to unleash their creativity and potential.

“This mural is more than just art. It’s a message to show that my students can contribute to society,” he said.

Low said: “Art and placemaking are interrelated. Besides telling a story, art fulfils the need for a sense of belonging.

“Through these efforts, The RiverCity is transforming historically rich areas into thriving hubs of art and community, showcasing the powerful synergy between mural art and placemaking.”