Butterworth Art Walk - Butterworth, Penang

Lynn T.

This is a very short lane with only a few murals. The artwork is lovely, varied and impressive to admire, but don't expect to spend more than 15 minutes here I would say. We went on a Saturday afternoon and were the only 2 people there. Limited food/drink options in the area so you would most likely visit just to view the murals and move off elsewhere. We made a short detour here from the ferry terminal so it was a nice way to kill a free hour that we had.

βigcat 6.

算算一下不知不觉在北海住了两年，但这个连走路也能到的壁画街却是第一次来，虽然大概知道地点，但开车在外面大路也没能发现这个地方，因为壁画街隐藏在后排的老店屋区。

抵达后可以从店屋旁边墙上看到许多丰富的创作画面，既有彰显本地旅游和美食的装饰图样，也有围绕Bagan地区的历史定位以及人文地理的象征图案，最后通过色彩缤纷的字样把Butterworth这个新时代的名称带出来。

有块墙上的画面是一些长形色块的组合，原本还在纳闷这幅过于简单的图有什么含义，离开后才回想起这其实是一个地方特色标志，因为北海一带就有好几个超大的集装箱停泊站，所以这幅图呈现出来的是抽象图案组合，同时也描绘出了它的真实形象和趣味点，而且也符合此地点特色的大主题，令人恍然大悟的同时也了解了创作者的用心。

其实有几条街都隶属于壁画街范围，这一带都是经营着传统生意的老店屋，从门面部分看并不容易发现“图画”的痕迹，也鲜少有店家把图画融入在里面，画面多藏在旁边墙壁和后巷里。

我们顺道光顾了一家位于壁画街附近的烘焙面包店，这同样是一栋老建筑，整栋楼用了纯青绿色做为主要粉刷，这种“不讲究”的方式既直接又能凸显出建筑设计的古拙美，尤其后巷楼墙上的通风口排列更透露出一种幽默美感，建筑旁的七彩盆景也起到一种愉悦效果。

“壁画街”在这个时代已不算是件新鲜事，也可以说到处都有了，让这种跟旅游和打造景点挂钩的创意环境和场景逐渐失去了它的独创性，无论如何这种伴随建筑而存在的“作品”还在全国各地持续增长中。

壁画街这词有自己一套“标准”，也可以说任何地方都得符合条件才能有这称谓，它主要由两个部分所构成，分别是“先天”的老街古建筑群和“后天”充满装饰味道的画面，两者相结合才能成就出壁画场景。

这时代兴起的壁画元素也不是本地创造，简单说它是源自西方壁画艺术和街头涂鸦行为的“后果”，而且呈现方式也有相当的差异性，有的偏向画面的完整性，有的只是极简涂鸦，无论如何两者之间都拥有一个快速完成的共同特点。

这地方给人一种惊喜的感觉，首先也许是它藏得够好，实地参观时才会把那份冲击感带出来，不管是由老建筑带出新画面还是壁画亮点带出了老建筑群的价值都好，两者都是相辅相成相互成就。当然，如果只是仅此而已的话，这种价值并不可能长久维持，总有没落消失的一天，也许这事情在当下已经在发生了而我们并不知道。

这是一个时代的价值观，这种价值观会持续创造一份属于自己时空的价值，不是那种多搞五年还是十年的那一回事。

壁画是装饰，建筑是美观，街道拥有它的使用价值，店家还在经营生意，一切都是遵循着实用主义价值在行进，而这种艺术气息的东西并不同，如果没有文创活动在运作，这壁画街的价值和生命就会变得很短暂，好比槟城一州两地，两个地方的文艺气息和受关注程度不同。

后来我也后知后觉的的想到坐落在另一边的足球场边不是添置了好几个大型集装箱？上面也漆上了一些装饰和人物，虽然我不晓得那是谁，总的来说先声夺人这部分就已经做到了，这事像是在说，大家都看到了但我的生活需要这些吗？
02/06/2025🐱🐈🚶🏻‍♂️🖼️🎨📸✨

Romano A.

A hidden gem in Butterworth with vibrant murals showcasing local heritage, old trades, and everyday life. Less crowded than George Town, it offers a raw, authentic vibe perfect for photos and cultural insight. Easy to reach, best visited in the morning or late afternoon. A quick but meaningful stop for anyone exploring Seberang Perai.

Vanessa S.

We took the ferry from George Town and a short grab ride,and we were there. There are restaurants and shops around the square, and the artwork is easy to find as you walk and explore. Butterworth seems to be a lot more low-key than busy George town. I enjoyed my time exploring and a cold drink in the local restaurant.

CP T.

Street art or graffiti by your definition, as another view of the city life from another perspective.

My visit at night was pretty quiet and a little dark without much street lighting while further walking into the narrow lanes as the rear of most restaurants emitting the kitchen exhaust as an unpleasant smell.

edmund O.

Nice and beautiful art work, a project initiated by the local tourism ministry. But is a pity that is not really attract tourist and much people. Lack of promotion. Tourists flock into Penang island but not Butterworth.

Umm H.

A nice place to spend the evening if you like murals. The newer murals have vibrant colours our pictures turned up very nice. Unfortunately many of the old murals are quite bad hope they will do something about that. Another unfortunate one was the trash at the scuba diver mural
Free parking (Sunday). Not a bad place to go

George B.

Fun for pictures, but depending on local parking, access isn't ideal, it's also in a bit of a dead area.

I'd recommend it if you're in the area, but don't make a special trip