SAYS EXCLUSIVE: An Afternoon With Ernest Zacharevic Reveals Surprising Details
During our chat with Ernest Zacharevic, the street artist revealed how working on the streets has taught him not to have an emotional attachment to his labour of love.
By Mei Mei Chu — 25 Jun 2014, 04:25 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
SAYS met Malaysia's favourite street artist Ernest Zacharevic to celebrate the completion of the new murals he has painted around Ipoh
SAYS met Malaysia's favourite street artist Ernest Zacharevic to celebrate the completion of the new murals he has painted around Ipoh
Image via Mei Mei Chu/SAYSErnest painted seven murals that were inspired by the surrounding, history and culture of Old Town. Out of the seven, he could not choose one that was his favourite.
Ernest painted seven murals that were inspired by the surrounding, history and culture of Old Town.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaErnest Zacharevic: "I don't have a favourite painting. Usually my favourite one is the one I painted last."
In this case, the last painting that Ernest completed only the night before was 'Evolution'. 'Evolution' is a Chinese caligraphy-style painting that depicts Ipoh's roots as a tin mining town.
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His last completed mural, 'Evolution', was very different from his signature artworks that we are used to seeing. Ernest tells us that he wants to keep things fresh for his audience.
Ernest tells us that he wants to keep things fresh for his audience.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaDuring his month-long journey in Old Town, it was evident that Ernest has became a part of the community.
During his month-long journey in Old Town, it was evident that Ernest has became a part of the community.
Image via Mei Mei Chu/SAYSAs Ernest walks down the street, uncles and aunties would smile and greet him a hello. People would poke their heads out from the windows above and wave their hands just to say hi.
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He was very inspired by how the people of Ipoh are so proud of their hometown, and by the massive amount of support he has received from the locals.
Ernest Zacharevic: "Whoever is from Ipoh, you probably know how proud you are of this place. And anyone who knows a person from Ipoh knows how Ipoh people are really, really proud of their hometown. And this really inspired me a lot of bring some of my art here. To make these seven murals around Old Town." "I got so much support here (from the people), I've never gotten so much support anywhere else. It really shows how enthusiastic people are about art, heritage and where they come from." "As much as I got inspired, I hope I can inspire people to have a more creative look of their surrounding and of their town."
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The Lithuanian's first time in Ipoh was just a short stop for lunch and coffee, but it was enough to make him want to return and leave a little painting here and there.
The Lithuanian's first time in Ipoh was just a short stop for lunch and coffee, but it was enough to make him want to return and leave a little painting here and there.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaErnest Zacharevic: "My first time in Ipoh was just to grab lunch and stop for a cup of coffee. Ever since, I never forgot this place. I always wanted to come back to leave my trace, to leave a little painting here and there."" I was really happy to hear from OLD TOWN White Coffee who had a similar idea and inspiration to bring some of my art to this place, to highlight the heritage and culture."
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Ernest admits that the legal and cultural sensitivities of Malaysia does affect his paintings, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly.
Ernest Zacharevic: "It all comes up to a social environment. It does reflect in my work, sometimes it's direct, sometimes it's not so direct. I treat every artwork as individuals, I try to make every artwork different. It does not necessarily affect (my artwork), but even if it does I leave it to the viewer to judge."
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We asked Ernest how would he like Malaysians to preserve his paintings, and his answer surprised us.
We asked Ernest how would he like Malaysians to preserve his paintings, and his answer surprised us.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaSAYS: How do you want people to preserve your paintings?
Ernest Zacharevic: I don’t want it to be preserved. It should die naturally.
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SAYS: The ones (murals) in Penang are already fading, aren’t they?
Ernest Zacharevic: That’s the thing, people get so offended that it is fading. But they are the ones who are "killing" it. People crowd around it, touch it, and take photos, and it fades even quicker. And these are the same people who want to preserve it.
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It was obvious that Ernest does not have an emotional attachment to his paintings. He choses not to, or else it would be too hard.
It was obvious that Ernest does not have an emotional attachment to his paintings.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaSAYS: What about graffitis? Do you get offended when people paint over or vandalise your paintings?
Ernest Zacharevic: I work on the street, I can’t be offended. I can’t have any attachment to my paintings, or else it would be too hard. I have to let it happen.
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As media shy as he is, Ernest was very polite and friendly in accommodating to the barrage of questions and photo requests. We asked if he is used to the media attention, and his answer was a simple 'no'.
As media shy as he is, Ernest was very polite and friendly in accommodating to the barrage of questions and photo requests.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaErnest Zacharevic: "No. I don’t like it, but I have to. I just want to paint in peace and do my own thing."
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From Penang to Kuching, Ernest has painted in states across Malaysia, but Johor remains as his favourite place to have painted in.
From Penang to Kuching, Ernest has painted in states across Malaysia, but Johor remains as his favourite place to have painted in.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee MalaysiaSAYS: What is the favourite state you have painted in?
Without a thought, Ernest Zacharevic immediately replied with a big laugh: Johor. Because of the controversy, and people there were so nice.
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Despite the fame and respect he has earned from Malaysians, Ernest Zacharevic is still a simple man. He has lived in the land of white coffee for weeks, but his favourite coffee are still the ones that comes in a plastic bag.
Despite the fame and respect he has earned from Malaysians, Ernest Zacharevic is still a simple man.
Image via OLDTOWN White Coffee Malaysia