A slice of home: The Penang Dollah Kitchen in Perth boasts a colourful Penang-themed mural by Lowkey.
Mural further depicts state’s vibrant colours and flavours
GEORGE TOWN: The interior of a restaurant in Perth is awash in Malaysian ambience, with vibrant murals featuring the rich cultural tapestry of Penang.
One mural depicts a man balancing pots of rice and curry on shoulder poles, bringing to life the traditional way nasi kandar was sold in the olden days. Another features a black panther to honour the Penang Football Club affectionately known as the Penang Panthers.
The artwork also incorporates symbols of the state, including the iconic Penang Bridge, the “pokok pinang” (Areca palm tree) and the Penang flag.
Known as Penang Dollah Kitchen, its co-owner Darvin B. Mutusamy, 32, said the murals were put up to mark the restaurant’s first anniversary in Warwick, a suburb in the state capital of Western Australia.
He said his co-owner Shaikh Suni Mohd, 56, better known as Abang Dollah in Perth, is also featured in one of the murals.
“Abang Dollah is a proud Penangite from Kampung Melayu, Air Itam, and there is a painting of him making roti canai, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, and nasi kandar.
“There are also murals portraying the iconic Komtar, a traditional trishaw, a roadside stall and the heritage houses that define the Penang landscape.
Proud owners: Abang Dollah (left) and Darvin posing at their restaurant in Perth.
“Each mural serves as a celebration of Penang’s rich heritage. We want to promote Penang and Malaysia to Australians and tourists, highlighting the island’s unique blend of traditions and flavours,” he said in an interview.
Darvin, from Pahang, has spent seven years in Australia.
He said the murals have become a noteworthy attraction ever since they were completed by Malaysian artist Mohamad Fakhri Mohd Salleh, better known as Lowkey, in September.
Using spray paint to create the murals, the Kuala Lumpur-based artist said he wanted to ensure that the vibrant Penang vibes were reflected in the restaurant.
“For the Penang street element, I’ve taken inspiration from the trishaw in Penang and how nasi kandar was originally sold.
“The restaurant owners want their customers to feel as if they are dining in Penang itself,” said Lowkey, who took a week to finish the murals.
Lowkey, who has 16 years’ experience showcasing his art in the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Belgium and South-East Asian countries, thanked the restaurant owners and former deputy tourism, arts and culture minister Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik for entrusting him with creating the murals.
Muhammad Bakhtiar, when contacted, said he got to know Abang Dollah when visiting Perth recently. “He told me he used to live in Kampung Melayu and work at the well-known Kampung Melayu Nasi Kandar restaurant.
“When I saw the empty walls of the restaurant, I proposed the idea of adorning them with Penang-themed paintings.
“They agreed and decided to use Lowkey’s services upon seeing his sketches,” said Muhammad Bakhtiar, who sponsored the artist’s flight to Perth.
