Graffiti gaining mainstream acceptance

IN the past, graffiti artists were considered troublemaking vandals. However, the past decade has seen a proliferation of street artists fast gaining a foothold in the popular imagination. Far from being a nuisance, the mushrooming of graffiti art across the country has somewhat lent it a more pedestrian vibe, if you will. 

Graffiti in the 1960s and 1970s was mainly a vehicle of protest with “demonstration inciting messages” – a representation of displeasure with authorities in most Western countries.

Apart from that, graffiti was also seen as an eyesore – an act of vandalism that damages private property and public facilities such as recreational parks, public toilets, bus stops and train stations as the main target. 

In Malaysia, graffiti only reared its head in the 1980s when one could spot it on the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train carriages. 

The Vibes spoke to a group of four graffiti artists to get their insight on the graffiti movement in Malaysia.

Abdulrashade, 37, is a contemporary graffiti artist from Balik Pulau, Penang. He said that graffiti is very much accepted today compared to the 1980s until the mid-1990s when graffiti artists had to do their ‘work’ under the cover of darkness. 

“I can clearly remember, when I first started 14 years ago, we (graffiti artists) were deemed as ‘budak nakal’ (rascals) but now, people look at us as more of artist quality.

“We don’t just ‘conteng’ (scribble) here and there… On the contrary, there are artistic elements involved. One example is our colour controlling and schemes,” he said adding that each artwork is looked upon as a masterpiece.

Abdulrashead has worked in several design agencies for over a decade and is now a full-time graffiti artist. In 2016, he was one of eight Malaysian artists invited to paint on 24 buildings in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He explained that before, graffiti artists would be rushed into finishing their artwork. They do this while looking over their shoulder for any signs of approaching authority. 

“In those days, in the middle of the night, we had to think fast while finishing up our artwork. We are always looking left and right to make sure that the authorities did not creep up behind us. Because if they did, we had to run for our lives if we didn’t want to get arrested,” he remembered.

On being apprehended while on the job, Abdulrashade said that usually when they were caught by the owners of the abandoned buildings on which they are spray-painting, the graffiti artists would plead with the owners to be allowed to complete their artwork before the police were called.

“There had been several times when the owners caught us red-handed. However, we would try and negotiate with them to let us finish our artwork first. If they did not like our graffiti art, we would repaint the whole wall back to its original form as promised. So far, the owners approved our masterpieces once completed,” he said excitedly.

Meanwhile, Abdulrashead warned that being caught by the authorities is a different ball game altogether. The authorities being the police and municipal officers, who differed in their actions.

“When graffiti artists get into trouble with the police and the municipal (Bandaraya) officers, some of them would only get a slap on the wrists. Some would be taken to the police station for a stern pep-talk but some were not so lucky, and instead thrown into lock-up,” he said.

In Malaysia, there is no specific regulation to deal with vandalism. Any act of damaging and, or destroying property is considered committing mischief under the Penal Code.

Section 425 and Section 426 of the Penal Code provides that anyone who commits mischief shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with a fine, or with both. But if the mischief causes loss or damage to the amount of RM25 and more, Section 427 then increases the punishment to a term of imprisonment of up to two years.

Positivity and growing recognition

Muhammad Abqari, 27, better known as SnakeTwo in the graffiti world, believes what was once considered a form of vandalism is now getting more attention and recognition by the public as ‘professional street art’.

SnakeTwo confessed that in most cases, graffiti artists would concentrate and convert abandoned buildings, walls that are rundown and dirty. They would also find alleyways that are drawn with pornographic elements as the main target for ‘rehabilitation’. 

“We can express our art (spray painting) in broad daylight. Passers-by would stop to give us motivation and words of encouragement. Some would even go as far as giving us tokens in the form of money as appreciation. 

"Many would stop by and drop off food and drinks for us, too. It is a positive boost for us. It is good to see that people are seeing us more as artists than vandals, as well appreciating the art we are producing and the many colours we use,” he said. 

He also feels that it is better to cover up all obscene illustrations to prevent visual pollution, especially for the younger generation.

In 2017, SnakeTwo was the 1st Runner-up for Make Your Mark in Melbourne Street Art Competition. He was also an exhibitor for Petronas #tanahairku Exhibition at the Petronas Art Gallery in 2015.

Ignorance harms, love heals, tolerance unites, unity strengthens 

In July last year, at Taman Cahaya Alam, Seksyen U12 Shah Alam, a video clip showed an act of vandalism. A mural of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah were spray-painted over. The words ‘B**i’ (swine) and ‘B*****at’ (f**k) painted clearly over their eyes).

Muhammad Fahrul Idham AB Malek, also known as Perol, said that it was a disgrace. He added that such behaviour by so-called Malaysians should never be exemplified.

“The mural was a form of appreciation for our king, the prime minister and especially the health DG (Dr Nor Hisham) as they are doing a fantastic job for our country and the rakyat. What the culprit did was pure evil and spiteful,” he said.

If there were to be more graffiti artists who wish to show their appreciation for the front liners similarly, he hopes that the artists would consider doing so on a much taller building. This would make it nearly impossible for vandals to deface their artwork again. 

The mural was painted by trio Muhammad Suhaimi Ali, Abdul Hadi Ramli and Muhamad Firdaus Nordin as a gesture of appreciation for the country’s leaders and Malaysians for their contributions. It garnered tremendous praise from fellow Malaysians and personal visits by the Health director-general and Yang Di-Pertuan Agong themselves.

Apart from that, Perol also cautioned his fellow artists not to mess around with political issues and other sensitive areas.

“Please do not politicise art. Stay away from politics. We have an acquaintance – a particular artist – who is overboard with politics. And it frustrates our community as he is seen belittling our national leaders through his art. It portrays an image that our (graffiti) community is against the establishment.

“Other than that, he has this bad habit of sticking his art pieces (in the form of stickers) over other artists’ creation. Doing this to another’s art is not cool,” said the 33-year-old, adding that he believes that these artists have an axe to grind. 

Perol also acknowledges that there are also a handful of graffiti artists who do not care about what society thinks. They would debase private and public property with profanities.

Even if they are displaying their artistic flair, their actions are wrong as you cannot spray paint on someone’s property without their permission, he explained.

“To them… arrogant people as such, I’d like to ask them, how would they feel if I were to spray paint on their mother’s house with curse words?” he said.

Perol, who is a graduate in Graphic Design, is also known for contributing his artwork for Petronas, Berjaya and several more companies. 

Graffiti art today

Meanwhile, a graffiti artist who wishes only to be known as Siek 27, said that he wishes to see graffiti art be more accessible to the younger crowd. He believes that the government can play a part.

This is because when there is no proper guidance on this type of art form. Youngsters tend to engage in the negative aspect of the art form – which is vandalism.

Talking from experience, Siek 27 said that there are still many people who are unaware of what graffiti art is. They cannot differentiate between graffiti and vandalism. 

“I hope that the government can play a more active role in supporting us and encouraging the younger generation to learn about and appreciate street art. It would also help to allocate an area for those interested in street art to express their ideas on a wall or the side of a building,” said the 37-year-old from Muar, Johor.

He also notes that parents should be open in letting their children explore an interest in the art form. 

Being in the right channel and circle is important as we do not want our youths to be led astray by the wrong group of people, he stressed. Certain youths tend to feel ‘proud’ when they are caught for breaking the law and being locked up.

“I advise parents to be supportive of their kids if they are into street art. Try to be more open-minded about it because kids today – ‘apa yang kita tak bagi dia buat, itulah yang lagi dia nak buat’ (the more we oppose them doing something, the more they are obsessed and curious in doing it). So, that is not the way anymore,” he urged.

On tips for those who are interested in graffiti art, or those starting out, he warned that it is a big ‘no-no’ to apply this art form at any religious site.

Trying out, or targeting religious homes or shrines is not art. It is clear-cut vandalism, completely disrespectful, and breaches the code of graffiti art ethics. One must always have self-discipline and to always be respectful of others’ beliefs and sensitivities, he advised. – The Vibes, April 18, 2021