IPOH, Nov 13 — Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic said he is not angered that one of his murals in Ipoh was painted over last month.
Instead, he said he was thankful that the owner of the building had allowed the painting to take place, noting that many others would not have done so.
The artist also said it was previously agreed that the owner reserved the right to remove the mural if necessary.
“Whenever I paint someone’s building we have an agreement that the building owner is welcome to remove the art if it offends someone, disturbs their business or simply fades to the point where they find it no longer appealing,” he said.
“The temporary nature of street art is a part of its charm. It is common for art in the streets to be removed, damaged or simply fade away.”
Zacharevic, who has painted murals in Singapore, Europe, and the United States, said he found out about the removal of the Girl with Stool and Birdcage mural from articles shared by his friends.
The street artist is responsible for a series of murals painted on six buildings in Ipoh’s old town district.
Zacharevic’s six other paintings still remain and can be found along Jalan Panglima, Market Street, Concubine Lane 3, Jalan Tun Sambathan and Jalan Padang.
