Figurines appear ‘out of nowhere’

Unexplained appearance of ‘Hazmat Men’ leaves Georgetown perplexed

GEORGE TOWN: Street art in Penang has gone way over the top, way overhead and way too small.

You will have to look up if you want to find the latest street art pieces, hiding along Cannon Street and Armenian Street.

Acting on a social media post, The Star went in search of the art and found two.

The first was 4m above the road, standing on a corbel (projection jutting out from a wall to support a structure above it) of the side wall on the last prewar house at the corner of Cannon Street and Acheen Street.

It is a figurine, 17-20cm tall, and it depicts a man wearing hazmat (hazardous materials) protective wear, complete with latex boots and gloves, hood and a face mask.

What does the art mean? What message is the artist trying to convey? Why depict hazmat gear in a narrow, colonial day street where no industrial activities are taking place?

Nobody knows. And residents in the area are clueless.

Because of its height, shopkeepers in the area were just as surprised. “I never saw it. No idea who did it,” said L.T. Khor of Art of Dragon Gallery.

A spokesman from George Town World Heritage Incorporated, which coordinates a panel overseeing street art creations in the heritage enclave, also had no idea who the artist was.

The second figurine took longer to find, It was higher and even more cryptic.

It depicts a man with a bald pate and folded arms, also wearing hazmat protective gear – minus the hood and face mask.

Why this one depicts a more relaxed posture compared with the earlier figurine is also a mystery.

To give readers the satisfaction of going on a hunt themselves for the second figurine, The Star will not publicise where it is.

But, here’s a clue – both are in the Armenian Street and Cannon Street zone.

Word on the street is that there may be more. If you do find them, let us know at north@thestar.com.my.