WHEN night falls, a group of people armed with spray paint and marker pens wander the streets of Kuala Lumpur, looking for walls to turn into canvases.

These graffiti artists, who hold nine-to-five office jobs, use public places as a medium of expression. Some simply want to show off their creativity, while others send out social and political messages.

Graffiti has long had a negative connotation and many perceive it to be an act of vandalism. This is the reason most graffiti artists work under the cover of darkness, to avoid detection by the authorities.

One artist, who wants to be known only as Case, told The Malaysian Insight that graffiti entails sending out messages through art created in public places.

He said the association between street art and gangsterism is a gross misunderstanding, referring to how graffiti is often taken to be “marks” left by gangs.

“We just create art in whatever place we come across. We mostly move at night, after work or school. We go on the lookout for suitable places.

“We have asked for permission from the authorities, but they refused to grant it because of the negative perception,” said Case, who has been involved in the scene since 2000.

The 34-year-old from Klang, Selangor, said the authorities came down hard on graffiti in 1999 and 2000.

He said he has been arrested more than 10 times and subjected to beatings by cops.

Despite this, he continues, driven by his deep passion for the art form.

Pop culture

Case fell in love with graffiti while dabbling in hip-hop culture through breakdance.

As the culture gained popularity in Malaysia, so did street art, he said.

In the early days, he would graffiti only letters, but has since incorporated characters.

“Then came an evolution, and street art started branching out. There were characters added to it, and then came murals, which were previously considered fine art,” said Case, whose day job is with a private firm.

Another artist, Skyde, said he was inspired by the active street art scene in his hometown of Batu Pahat, Johor.

The 25-year-old Japanese translator said most prominent street artists hail from Batu Pahat.

“That was how I got influenced. Most of the youngsters there are involved in graffiti.”

He said he loves the challenges posed by the art form.

“When we draw fine art, we use brushstrokes, which we can control. Here, we use spray paint, which is harder to control.

“Another reason why I love graffiti is because the ‘canvas’ is huge, unlike the paper canvas we use for other artworks. On walls, we can experiment.”

Skyde has not run into problems with the authorities but had to convince his parents about his hobby.

“My parents objected to it at first due to the negative connotation, but eventually, they came to accept it. And I have convinced them by producing beautiful artworks.”

He said he uses animal motifs to convey messages about globalisation and the environmental impact on wildlife.

“If people want to identify my work, they can look for wolves holding a paint can or a fishing rod. My characters are never static.”

From illegal to commercial

Case said the public has started accepting street art, adding that since 2010, many graffiti artists have gotten popular worldwide.

This has opened the minds of many people, including Malaysians, he said.

Graffiti is heading towards the mainstream, and the authorities are beginning to accept it.

“We now have programmes with the government and local councils. Sometimes, they approach us to produce artworks,” said Case.

He said he has even conducted a workshop for pupils.

Graffiti can also generate income for artists hired to produce artworks in various places, he added.

An artist from Langkawi said street art movement Sesak, which highlights socio-political issues, started out as a collective selling clothes in Ipoh in 2008, before changing course two years later.

“The message that Sesak conveys is focused mainly on politics. Currently, racial prejudice is a hot issue, and we’re trying to fight it.”

Even though street art has gotten flak, especially for its association with vandalism, he said, it is actually “closer to the people”.

“Not everyone likes Sesak’s message, which can be radical, but ‘harsh’ words are what get attention.”

An “invisible squad” was set up to help spread the movement’s messages on walls nationwide, he said.

He added that there are many talented graffiti artists in Malaysia, but most of their artworks do not touch on social issues.

“People here prefer to criticise on social media ‘walls’ rather than real ones.”

He said the country was “built on fear”, preventing radical ideas from being shared via art in public places.

“The fear is also because people don’t want to risk their earnings. I don’t blame any party. Every artist has his own identity.

“Those of us who speak out against the norm are considered the enemy. Plus, our artworks are done on walls without the owner’s permission.

“But it’s not a problem. Every day, our numbers grow, and with that, our words, which are deadlier than bullets. Ideas never die, and the truth always lives on.” – September 25, 2019.