GEORGE TOWN: As soon as one enters the main gate of the Sungai Nibong Pesta site, a large mural depicting the country’s multi-racial community located on the left side of the main gate is very eye-catching.
Themed “Unity”, the 44-foot-wide and 12-foot-long mural was one of the attractions for visitors on the last day of the Northern Zone Madani Rakyat 2024 Programme, which would draw its curtain down on Sunday (May 5).
Even more impressive was that the hand-painted mural by graffiti artist Abdul Qoyyum Mohd, 31, was completed within three days from Friday, which was the first day of the Madani Rakyat 2024 Northern Zone Programme.
Realising the ‘mission’ to complete the mural, Abdul Qoyyum said he set to work from morning to night to ensure the mural was fully completed according to Sunday’s schedule because he was producing the mural alone.
“Usually this kind of graffiti mural painting takes a week to complete. In the demos (paintings) I make are 8×8 feet (banners), this is probably the biggest I’ve ever made for a short programme and by myself.
“Before this there was also a team, but the other team members had already travelled abroad (other places).
“It should have taken one person a week (to complete the 44-foot-wide and 12-foot graffiti mural) but I have simplified the design to only focus on the subject (in the graffiti mural),” he told Bernama.
Abdul Qoyyum uses a spray paint art technique that depicts the atmosphere of a group of children of various nationalities playing in a park against the backdrop of the majestic Komtar building.
The Universiti Selangor graduate with a Diploma in Graphic Design explained that he chose to draw the joy of the multiracial children to depict the harmonious life in the pluralistic communities in this country, besides that the group is the link of the next generation.
“Unity” was specially presented by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry through the National Art Gallery and it was the result of an art exhibition held for the first time in conjunction with the Madani Rakyat 2024 Programme.
Even more special, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar who attended the Closing Ceremony of the Northern Zone Madani Rakyat 2024 Programme on Sunday had the opportunity to sign the graffiti art before conducting a visit to the stalls of the government ministries and agencies.
Abdul Qoyyum expressed his happiness that he was able to complete the “Unity” mural within the three days, and he was also proud that his artwork was officiated by the Prime Minister.
He added that he has been working with the National Art Gallery since 2011 and his involvement in organising the second series of the Madani Rakyat 2024 Programme was at the request of the agency under Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“I have been collaborating with the National Art Gallery for a long time, following their art programmes to other states as well,” said Abdul Qoyyum who was interested in painting since he was a child.
Murals were art made directly on the surface of a wall or other large surface while graffiti is more of a writing on the wall or combined with a mural to create a complete design. – Bernama
