IPOH: For someone who only started taking up mural paintings two years ago, Yip Yew Chong has certainly made his presence felt.

The Singaporean is here to do two murals in Jalan Panglima and Jalan Bandar Timah in conjunction with the Causeway Exchange (Flies to Ipoh) programme organised by Singapore arts production company DMR Productions and non-profit arts and culture organisation Global Cultural Alliance Ltd.

The banker, who has not named his two murals yet, said he wanted to do something based on his niche, which is heritage.

“The last time I came to Ipoh was in 2014 and I was smitten by its old world charm. When someone called me to do this, I was excited, even though it was at short notice.

“For three days, I did two murals that depicted the heritage and beauty of both Singapore and Malaysia,” he said.

This is the first time he is drawing murals in Malaysia. He has so far done 20 in Singapore and Hong Kong over two years.

Before coming to Ipoh, Yip did not have a clue on how to start his first mural in Jalan Panglima but seeing pomelos in Tambun triggered a myriad of imagination for the 48-year-old.

From pomelos to garlands, Yip took about two days to complete his first mural, which has a shop owner resting in his shop that is adorned with garlands, pomelos, sarong, wau and lanterns.

Called “Sin Ma Shop” (Short for Singapore-Malaysia shop), the mural is also adorned with signs naming the shop in various languages.

Yip’s second mural in Jalan Bandar Timah is a tree with tropical fruit and it is particularly interesting as he drew around a pomelo that was done by Malaysian artist Chong Kok Leng.

“I saw that pomelo and I told myself, let’s do something around it.

“That’s when I decided to draw some of the fruits loved by Singaporeans and Malaysians.

“I have tried my hands on many concepts but many organisations call me to do heritage murals. I guess that it is my niche and I am glad that I am valued for my work.

“I hope to come back and do more in the near future. It is good to see exchange programmes like this being organised,” said Yip, who added that he was inspired by Ernest Zacharevic, who has done several murals in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Causeway Exchange, which has been held since 2010, is an annual event that provides platforms for artistic and cultural activity exchanges between Malaysia and Singapore.