The
annual Georgetown Festival inspires creative types, and 2014’s 101 Lost Kittens
Project, left a distinctly feline flavour to Georgetown. The inspirational project
was created by Artists for Stray Animals (ASA) to raise awareness of the plight
of strays and encourage people to help animals.
There
are 12 artworks in the series, each painted with environmentally friendly
paint, which will wash off eventually, so if this is something that interests
you, hurry up and visit! Whether you prefer your art traditional in style or
are a bit of a modernist, enjoy paintings or have a soft spot for sculpture, there
is a piece of ‘cat art’ for you, and heading out to discover it is a great way
to explore Georgetown.
No
animal discrimination please
Behind
Edelweiss café on Armenian Street
Tucked
away behind a busy café is an almost private piece of art. Images of cats and a
dog bring the animals together and promotes equal treatment of all species.
 |
| No Animal Discrimination please, street art, Penang, Malaysia |
I can
help catch rats
In a
small alley along Armenian Street
This
bright and colourful artwork reminds us that pets can be as useful as they are
fun. It aims to generate a desire to keep cats as useful pets
Cats and
humans happily together
Cheah
Kongsi (enter from Armenian Street)
This
large and rather fanciful painting depicts a procession of Taoist deities
represented by cats, indicating the harmony that can exist between species.
 |
| Cats and humans happily together, Penang, Malaysi |
The real
Bruce Lee would never do this
Behind
Ah Quee Street (behind Boy on Motorbike)
While
initially seeming a bit at odds with the principle of the project, the title of
this work remind us that it is using Bruce Lee’s fame (and famous pose) to
bring attention to the issue of animal harm.
(Image at the top of this page).
Cats
walking for animal awareness
Back
lane walls of Beach Street Fire Station
Small
black cats are stencilled on a white wall at the back of Beach Street Fire
Station, and around the corner to Victoria Street. They remind us that animals
do not have a voice and, while they walk along this wall for awareness, they
need our help.
Even if
handicapped, still love me
Victoria
Street – in front of Victoria House
This
statue is also known as ‘mama cat’. It depicts a disabled cat positioned on a
trolley and is intended to raise awareness of stray animals and their troubles,
and encourage people to take them off the streets and care for them.
 |
| Handicapped cat sculpture, Penang, Malaysia |
Take
time to sit with your pet
Victoria
Street, in front of Sekeping Victoria
A small
model of a cat walks across the back of a chicken wire couch, in the same way
pets often do. This unassuming work reminds pet owners that an important part
of pet ownership is the commitment to spend time with pets, and let them enjoy
company.
Fine 500
for littering. Sterilise instead
Victoria
Street, near the corner with Armenian Street
This
work shows two small model cats left in an abandoned three-wheel cart. It’s
message is to discourage people from abandoning animals and hammer home the importance
of sterilizing pets to prevent unwanted litters being abandoned in the future.
Shade me
if you love me
Victoria
Street, near CF food court
A
colourful umbrella stands out against a wall that has cats painted on it. The
work aims to create awareness of stray animals and encourage people to adopt
animals in need of shelter.
 |
| Fortune cat street art, Penang, Malaysia |
Love me
like your fortune cat
Armenian
Street Ghaut
A silver
tabby looks wistfully towards a dangling rat in a scene that could be painted
at a window, but is in fact painted on the side of a building. Apparently the
cat is wishing for a better fortune for himself and his species.
 |
| Skippy cat street art, Penang, Malaysia |
Skippy
comes to Penang – and rat lurking around corner
Armenian
Street Ghaut
Perhaps
the ultimate of the cat art, Skippy is a giant mural of a ginger cat sitting
watching the world go by. It was inspired by a real stray ginger cat (yes,
called Skippy!) who had a bad leg. Skippy’s story ended well though, as Skippy
was adopted. Perhaps Skippy’s fate makes this the most hopeful of the artworks?
The rat
lurking around the corner adds a touch of fun and humour. If you stand at the
rat-end of the Skippy painting, it looks as if they are each aware of the
other’s presence.
 |
| Care for cats street art, Penang, Malaysia |
Please
care and bathe me
Armenian
Street Ghaut – around corner from Skippy and rat
This
painting depicts two cats that look rather sorry for themselves, in the way
that soggy cats do. The work aims to reminding humans that even animals
perceived to be independent, like cats, still need to be cared for sometimes.
How do
you feel about art projects with a serious message? Do you think they work?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
