GEORGE TOWN, Oct. 17 -- Graffiti in public toilet stalls and even schools filled with vulgar Hokkien phrases, crude drawings and declarations of love is largely frowned upon.

We don't see so many of them anymore though and it's a good thing.

But artist Sumidik is using his memory of this as a way to encourage the use of Hokkien - once widely spoken by Penangites of all races - again.

Sumidik's solo exhibition even features a toilet stall complete with a toilet bowl with walls for visitors to scribble their Hokkien graffiti on.

"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," he said.

His exhibition is titled MaiKea which means "fear not" in...