Twin Sisters Share A Career As Mural Artists

By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) –Twin sisters Elyana Sazlin and Elyana Sazwin Magbanua not only share strikingly similar features but also a deep passion and talent for art, which has led them into the realm of visual arts, with a particular focus on mural painting.

Equipped with their artistic talents and a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts Technology, the 28-year-old twins took a significant step forward by founding LE’SIBS Art, where they offer their mural painting expertise, with a special focus on clients in Sabah.

 Reflecting on their artistic journey, Elyana Sazlin and Elyana Sazwin, who reside in Kinarut, Papar, shared that their love for art began in primary school, where they frequently participated in drawing and colouring competitions.

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They further honed their skills at university through their studies at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

"After graduating, we planned to paint murals voluntarily to brighten up our former schools, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pekan Kota Belud Dua and SMK Tenghilan, Tuaran, as a token of appreciation for our teachers.

 “Unexpectedly, the murals we created as a source of motivation for students received an overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many people reached out to us inquiring about our services after the murals were shared on social media," they told Bernama recently.

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As their work gained increasing recognition, Elyana Sazlin said they decided to establish LE’SIBS Art in 2021 to make their services more structured and professional.

According to her, their murals, which feature a semi-realistic style, can be seen in various districts across Sabah. Their work adorns the walls of government buildings, residential areas, mosques, tourist attractions, and recreational spots, including Borneo Ant House in Tuaran and Cabana Retreat in Kota Belud.

“From 2021 until now, we have completed more than 300 murals, covering various concepts such as flora and fauna, underwater scenes, three-dimensional designs, abstract art, vehicles, Sabah cultural patterns, and food," she said, adding that they also offer building painting services, portrait sketches, and henna art.

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Meanwhile, Elyana Sazwin shared that despite being twins, they sometimes have differing opinions when working on a project.

"This is normal and does not affect the quality of our work. We both contribute ideas and develop designs together.

"Sometimes, I come up with an idea, while my sister, Elyana Sazlin, creates the design. We rely on each other to generate creative concepts for our mural projects," she said.

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Reflecting on their biggest challenge to date, Elyana Sazwin pointed to a mural project in Kuala Penyu that showcased the uniqueness of heritage and nature. The mural was painted on the wall of a shop building, standing nine metres high—equivalent to a four-storey building—and 15 metres wide.

Usually, we use scaffolding that is two stories high, but for this project, we had to use a five-storey scaffold. On top of that, we also needed a skylift truck to help with mobility during the painting process," she said, adding that the mural took eight days to complete.

 -- BERNAMA