WHEN graffiti artist Kenji was asked to create cheery murals for three walls of the Golden Screen Cinemas IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Selangor, it didn’t take long for him to come up with exciting ideas for the blank space.
An artist who draws inspiration from the environment, a nature-themed mural was high on his list.
The result? A jungle inspired from Hollywood movie The Planet of the Apes.
His work sees him infusing greenery into a city setting to restore a small semblance of serenity.
On another wall, he takes visitors on an inter-galactic journey with artworks inspired from the movie Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, while a depiction of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was his choice for the third wall.
Kenji, who first dabbled in graffiti art 10 years ago, started off as a graphic designer.
“I later realised that the computer was becoming a barrier between me and my art.”
Four years ago, he carved a full-time career from this medium.
Following his artwork at the cinema chain, Kenji went on to work on murals to depict movies and iconic figures such as Penguins of Madagascar, Bruce Lee, The Hulk and Ant-Man at its Ipoh chain at Ipoh Parade Mall.
Kenji’s first graffiti was created on a street wall in Jalan Klang Lama.
“It was in a dark alley and I was worried about getting caught,” he says with a laugh.
“At first, I was only interested in bringing art into life.
“But as time went by, I started to realise that the objects, themes and colours that I poured into my artwork had inspired many people. To them, each one tells a story.”
Describing himself as a “positive go getter”, Kenji hopes to inspire communities with his artworks.
“I hope that my work inspires people to see the world in a positive light. Maybe we can make the world a better place one mural at a time.”
He has been creating graffiti art for the past 13 years and his works can be seen in the city and its surrounding areas.
They include the fighting cockerel for a roast chicken restaurant in Petaling Street, SS2 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and Genting Sky Venture in Genting Highlands, Pahang.
How much time does he spend on each artwork?
“It depends on the colour and concept,” he says, adding that he spends two weeks to work on an artwork, which requires 90 cans of spray paint.
The largest painting he has completed is the fighting cockerel for the roast chicken restaurant, spanning 195 sq m.
Constantly on the go, Kenji says he works whenever inspiration strikes him and he is rarely seen without his sketch books and pencil.
“This is my life. Art makes me feel alive.”
When creating his murals, Kenji says the artwork should complement the place where it takes form as the two go hand in hand.
“My artworks are there to enrich, inspire, move and create excitement to the environment they inhibit.
“Each location where I get to display my artwork is a special place.”
He says graffiti art has evolved over the years and now serves as an art form for communities.
“In the past, graffiti art was perceived as a rebellious expression for subculture groups.
“Today, it belongs to the community and has been accepted by society.
“Some artists also use graffiti art
to beautify cities they live in, with powerful and inspirational messages.
“In Asian countries, graffiti as an art form has evolved so much over the last 20 years.
“It is now recognised as an art form to society that allows artists to translate snapshots of life and society into city landmarks.”