KLJJ Vibe

Lorong Panggung is one of those Kuala Lumpur lanes that quietly rewards anyone who slows down. Tucked between Chinatown’s constant movement and its layered histories, the alley has become a living canvas — changing, weathered, and deeply human.

On a recent walk, I had the chance to explore this space with Ekamil, a local street artist whose graffiti and characters have gradually become part of the visual language of Chinatown. His works appear on walls you might otherwise pass without a second glance — corners, shutters, back lanes — places that don’t ask for attention, but offer it if you look closely.

Ekamil doesn’t present himself as a spectacle. From what appears in social media posts and casual photo features, he is very much a street-first artist — working quietly, often anonymously, letting the environment shape both the placement and the mood of his pieces. His characters are expressive but restrained, sometimes playful, sometimes reflective, often responding directly to the texture, damage, or history of the wall itself.

As we walked through Lorong Panggung, Ekamil shared his thoughts on individual works — why a certain piece sits where it does, how the surroundings influence colour and form, and how street art here is less about permanence and more about presence. Some pieces fade. Some get painted over. Others remain, long enough to become part of the alley’s identity.

What stood out was how integrated his art feels within Chinatown. These are not murals designed to dominate a space or turn it into a destination. Instead, they sit comfortably alongside old shopfronts, back doors, signage, and the everyday wear of the city. They feel like conversations rather than statements.

This video is less about graffiti as an art object, and more about place, process, and perspective — a walk through Lorong Panggung with someone who understands its walls intimately. It’s a reminder that some of Kuala Lumpur’s most meaningful art doesn’t hang in galleries, but lives quietly in the streets we walk every day.

Capture date: Sunday, 30 November 2025
Kit: Insta360 X5