While Singaporeans got deep into conversations over a mural depicting a smoking samsui woman here, an artist over in Malaysia wasn’t so lucky.
Russian street artist Julia Volchkova took to social media to share about one of her murals in Kuala Lumpur being whitewashed without an explanation.
Previously, the wall showcased the 35-year-old’s painting of a goldsmith at work.
It is unclear if Julia had sought approval from the building owner prior.
“First, everyone is asking why, why, why. I really don’t know. I also want to know the reason. If anyone knows the real reason, please tell me,” she pleaded on social media.
Julia admitted that the act of her work being painted over “is painful because art is [her] children” and went on to share that this artwork in particular “was very difficult” and done in “unbearable conditions”.
She started painting murals in Malaysia more than two decades ago, and some of her more famous works include the ‘Indian Boatman’ and ‘Indonesian Boy’ in Penang.
“I’ve spent my time, knowledge, my health on it [the goldsmith],” she said before sharing that she has developed health problems after years of creating physically taxing work.
She also found the removal of her work strange as she believes the mural is an “indicator of Malaysia’s cultural heritage to the world”.
“It was a very important landmark, a tourist spot where people come to visit,” she added before admitting that as a street artist, it is common to have your work being painted over.
Umm… At this point, why is she fussing about the removal again?
Netizens also seem mixed about her reaction.
While many stood on Julia’s side and asked for Malaysians to be more understanding of the arts, others gave a more nuanced take on the removal of her mural.
“The building might have changed owners who preferred a clean façade,” explained an online user.
An alleged graffiti painter even questioned Julia’s motives saying, “Street art is temporary. Is there a need to create drama about its removal?”