Keramat Roar!: Street artist paints mural series of Penang football legends at City Stadium

Mohd Azmi painting the football mural series at the City Stadium in George Town, Penang. In the foreground is a tribute to former national defender Datuk Namat Abdullah, who died earlier this month. Photo: Bernama

A caricature artist and cartoonist based in George Town has expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to paint portraits of six Penang football icons on the wall of the City Stadium, the home of Penang FC.

Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussain, 36, said he came up with the idea of immortalising Ali Bakar, Datuk Namat Abdullah, M Kuppan, Pang Siang Hock, Shukor Salleh and Mohd Faiz Subri (the first Asian to win the FIFA Puskas Award) in a mural painting when he was proposed by the Penang City Council (MBPP) to paint the wall with his art.

"MBPP had asked me to paint a mural on the wall of this stadium in conjunction with the City Day celebration which will be launched by MBPP mayor (Datuk Yew Tung Seang) in January next year.

"I came across a photo on Instagram where a foreign artist paid his tribute to the late Diego Maradona by painting a mural of the legendary footballer. I thought why don’t we do it for our local football legends especially in Penang ... I put forward the idea and MBPP agreed,” he said.

Mohd Azmi said he started painting the wall mural using the vector portrait technique.

Part of the mural wall at Penang FC's City Stadium featuring (from left) Ali Bakar, Pang Siang Hock and Shukor Salleh. Photo: The Star/Zainudin Ahad

The work by the Butterworth-born artist also drew positive response from passersby which also gave him great satisfaction.

He also hopes that the mural series would serve as another attraction for tourists visiting the area.

Mohd Azmi who has been painting for more than 10 years has also etched his name in the Malaysia Book of Records twice.

"In 2017, I made it into the Malaysia Book of Records after drawing 320 caricatures in 24 hours at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling while in 2019, I was recognised once again for producing the longest coffee painting in the country, ” he said.

Meanwhile, several passersby met said besides bringing back Penang’s football glory days, the mural painting will also allow the younger generation to get to know former football stars.

"Passing through this area has evoked memories of the golden eras of local football. The mural painting also makes the barren wall look livelier, ” said Nazri Walid, 46. - Bernama