BATU KAWAN, Malaysia, April 7 (Bernama) — Ikano Centres, part of IKEA Southeast Asia, is pleased to announce the launch of Creative Spark, an art-based platform aimed at bringing communities together through an arts mentorship program. The initiative kicked off with the unveiling of the ‘Building Yourself’ graffiti mural at its Penang centre, anchored by IKEA Batu Kawan. The mural symbolises a fresh start for the dynamic new community and township.
In collaboration with Can Can Public Art, a creative place-making team specialising in street and public art; the mural was completed by the renowned artist Leonard Siaw with the assistance of three art graduates under his mentorship. Symbolic to the community starting anew, the mural portrays cultural elements inspired by music, education, learning, arts, and pop-culture. This is visualised through the books, graphic illustrations, and floral patterns seen in the finished mural, which also comes to life through an integrated augmented reality component where viewers can use their smartphones to scan the mural to watch it animate. ‘Building Yourself’ is the largest interactive outdoor painted mural in Penang and is supported by the Penang State Art Gallery.
