# MaiKea: Hokkien Language Revival in Penang

> Artist Sumidik's exhibition encourages Penangites to write Hokkien graffiti on walls.
- Title: MaiKea: Hokkien Language Revival in Penang · Malay Mail
- Summary: Artist Sumidik's exhibition encourages Penangites to write Hokkien graffiti on walls. Sumidik's 'MaiKea' exhibition invites public to write Hokkien phrases…
- Keywords: sumidik, maikea, hokkien, penang, masshaus, george town, toilet stall, hokkien phrases, language revival, exhibition, news, world
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/life/2026/10/17/maikea-to-encourage-the-use-of-hokkien-in-penang-an-artist-invites-the-public-to-write-on-walls-at-an-exhibition/238836
- Author: Opalyn Mok
- Published: 2026-10-17T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sumidik, maikea, hokkien, penang, masshaus, george town, toilet stall, hokkien phrases, language revival, exhibition, news, world
## MaiKea exhibition opens
Artist Sumidik's 'MaiKea' exhibition highlights Hokkien language's cultural significance at MassHaus in George Town.

> The 'Tukao' sculpture in the 'MaiKea' exhibition., Picture courtesy of Sumidik
## Hokkien language revival
Sumidik aims to encourage younger Penangites to use Hokkien through familiar phrases and expressions.

> I want to use this exhibition as a fun way to shine a spotlight on hokkien as i feel many in the younger generation cannot speak hokkien now
## Exhibition title meaning
MaiKea means 'fear not' in Hokkien, encouraging people to use the language without fear.

> MaiKea which means "fear not" in hokkien
## Hokkien phrases in public
Hokkien phrases like kopi-o peng mai liao were once common in kopitiams and markets.

> kopi-o peng mai liao (black coffee without sugar)
## Hokkien calendar series
Sumidik's 14 prints from Hokkien Calendar Illustration series feature cultural phrases.

> buai ya (a hokkien adaptation of the malay word buaya)
## Tukao sculpture
Tukao is a Hokkien phrase for a rough, loud person who may be vulgar.

> TuKao is the shortened form of the common hokkien phrase ah tu ah kao (pig and dog)
## Public toilet stall
Exhibition includes a toilet stall for visitors to write Hokkien graffiti on walls.

> I want to spotlight all these familiar hokkien phrases and expressions by putting a fun wordplay on them through direct translation in my art
## Exhibition dates
Exhibition runs from October 9 to October 31 at MassHaus in George Town.

> The exhibition, which opened on october 9, has already seen many visitors letting loose and scribbling various phrases on the three walls of the toilet stall
## Key takeaway

Sumidik's 'MaiKea' exhibition invites public to write Hokkien phrases on walls at MassHaus in George Town until October 31.