The murals adorning the walls of buildings within The RiverCity condominium area in Sentul speak volumes.
They capture a rich tapestry of life, culture, and the arts from Malaysia's diverse, multi-ethnic community, showcasing the nation’s deep traditions and cultural heritage.
These remarkable works were created by 34 talented students from the Dasein Academy of Art, who have expressed their love for the country through their exceptional artistic creations.
The murals, created by fourth-and fifth-semester students from the academy, encapsulate the spirit of unity they aimed to highlight, with the hope that they will inspire the nation to continue living in peace and harmony.
Each painting radiates a sense of joy and liveliness, reflecting how fortunate Malaysians are to experience a vibrant life enriched by strong interethnic relationships and mutual respect, symbolising a deep bond of unity.
SHOWCASING DIVERSE CULTURES
In their approach to the theme ‘Cultural Fusion Vista,’ three friends—Ngu Shin Yiing, 19, Teng Jia Hui, 19, and Yeo Ken Siang, 20—created a mural depicting Malaysia’s diverse population. Their artwork represents various ethnic groups, including Malays, Indians, Chinese, and the indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak, such as the Kadazan and Iban.
"We chose to convey the concept of multiculturalism in this mural. Malaysia is rich with diverse ethnic groups, each contributing its own unique aesthetic value.
"Through this mural, we showcase Malaysia's traditional dances, vibrant festivals, and the way we all celebrate together," said Ken Siang to Bernama, with support from his friends Shin Yiing and Jia Hui.
These students also featured traditional games like congkak and wau in their paintings, as well as cultural symbols such as the songkok and lanterns, highlighting the beauty and vibrancy of the country’s traditions.
“This mural highlights the differences and beauty of various cultures while showcasing the diversity of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic communities," he added, noting that the mural incorporates five colours: red, blue, yellow, black, and white.
Ken Siang, who is pursuing a Diploma in Illustration, explained that they took four days to complete the mural with the assistance of three lecturers.
When asked about the challenges they faced while creating the mural, Ken Siang, from Muar, Johor, noted that translating cultural themes into paintings was indeed challenging and required considerable patience.
“This was because we needed to capture the essence of the culture we wanted to convey, including customs, clothing, and daily activities. The main challenge was the time constraint, in addition to ensuring that the message of the artwork was clear and resonated with viewers," he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the lecturers and friends who played a significant role in helping create the mural.
“From the sketching stage to the final result, our lecturers provided immense support and confidence, enabling us to complete this task. I also want to thank my friends who dedicated their time to help us create this mural,” he said.
FOOD AS A UNIFIER OF SOULS
Beyond culture, food plays a vital role in strengthening relationships within society. The power of a menu should not be underestimated, as it can unite Malaysians, who enjoy a rich variety of delicious dishes that appeal to people from all walks of life.
This concept was showcased by Tan Jie Hua, Tan Zhi Xuen, and Foo Zi Wei in their second mural with the theme ‘Explore Malaysia’s Multicultural Menu.’
The three friends highlighted popular and iconic Malaysian dishes, such as nasi lemak, satay, cendol, laksa, and roti canai, using their artwork to symbolise the unity found in Malaysia’s culinary culture.
Through the mural, they incorporated various languages, including Malay, English, Tamil, Mandarin, and ‘bahasa rojak’ (mixed language). Among the phrases included were ‘ikat tepi satu’ and ‘must try,’ which are commonly seen in eateries and food stalls across the country to attract customers.
The third mural, titled ‘Life of a Traveller,’ depicts Malaysia's landscape, traditional dishes, exotic wildlife, and iconic landmarks, such as the Petronas Twin Towers and Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang.
Created by Adrian Chan Kye Ming and Yee Kam Fook, this mural also features symbols representing various states in Malaysia, such as the areca palm, Mount Kinabalu, and the eagle
THE RESILIENCE OF SENTUL AND BATU TIGA
Sentul is a suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur with significant heritage value. It was once home to the largest railway engineering depot in Malaya, and the area also features several old temples.
In 1904, the Federated Malay States Railways began constructing a railway maintenance complex in Sentul, known as the Central Railway Workshop, the largest of its kind in Malaya.
To restore Sentul’s former glory, The RiverCity, a residential development by Low Yat Group, aims to transform the area into a visual attraction that celebrates the historical significance of Sentul and Batu Tiga, Jalan Ipoh—both key elements of Kuala Lumpur’s cultural landscape.
Chan Wai Yee, Senior Marketing Manager at The RiverCity, said that to achieve this vision, The RiverCity decided to rejuvenate the historically rich area by transforming it into a vibrant arts and community centre.
"The collaboration to enrich culture through this mural project aims to infuse art into the local community while supporting young artistic talents. At Low Yat Group, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for everyone in this community.
“Our main goal is to transform this area into a healthy, attractive environment that fosters a sense of community and belonging," she said.
Additionally, she said The RiverCity is also developing a community walkway near Jalan Selvadurai.
“With a commitment to cleaning up the river path near Sungai Batu, The RiverCity will collaborate with the authorities to enhance public infrastructure for the benefit of the community," she added.
Meanwhile, Dasein Academy of Art President Gooi Hean Chye explained that the mural project at The RiverCity involved 34 students from the academy and took four days to complete, from June 12 to June 15.
Commenting on the collaboration between the academy and The RiverCity, Gooi Hean expressed pride in the partnership and satisfaction with the students’ achievements.
“This mural is not just art; it is something more. It serves as a medium for conveying a message that demonstrates the students at this academy are capable of contributing their efforts and ideas to society.
“A huge thank you to the lecturers at Dasein Academy of Art who also contributed to the success of this project," he said.
Translated by Salbiah Said
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