Kuala Lampur, June 2 -- PETALING JAYA, June 2 - Long before neighbourhood malls and grocery delivery apps gained traction, traditional wet markets flourished as the heartbeat of local communities.

Back then, tagging along with parents to market trips was a weekly ritual that most children looked forward to.

Routine bargaining would ensue between patrons and vendors over spreads of fresh greens and freshly caught seafood, while the sound of people chatting would fill the breakfast stalls at the corner.

Though wet markets still exist today, they are frequented by fewer, less enthusiastic patrons.

But visual artist Ryzalman Misran keeps the nostalgia alive in his vivid paintings of wet markets, especially the seafood section.

The 50-yea...