"Intro"

Credits: Shian Bang

Hello, I’m A’shua Imran—founder, artistic director, and pirate captain of Mural Lingo. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to do work I love, excel at, and sustain as a livelihood.

Mural Lingo began as a simple dream: to create a community around painting murals and turning walls into stories that inspire, connect, and transform. While my journey has been filled with challenges, it’s also been profoundly rewarding. I’ve never dreaded a Monday because, for me, there’s no such thing as Monday blues when you truly love what you do.

In the early years, sustaining this dream demanded more than artistic talent—it required resilience, resourcefulness, and an entrepreneurial mindset. I immersed myself in the world of business, devouring books, attending seminars, and developing skills I’d never imagined needing as an artist.

Fast forward to today, and Mural Lingo has left its mark across seven countries in the Asia-Pacific. With over 400 murals painted, we’ve collaborated with global brands like Google, Amazon, Decathlon, Volkswagen, and WWF.

Each wall we’ve painted tells a unique story of collaboration, persistence, and courage. Whether working on a corporate sustainability initiative or a community-driven mural project, every creation reflects the spirit of teamwork and transformation.

My journey has been enriched by an industrious crew of creatives who are more than colleagues—they’re family. Over the years of countless challenges we faced through projects, we’ve built something far greater than walls. I love my crew—my pirates.

On 31 December 2024, Mural Lingo celebrated 10 years—a milestone that fills me with gratitude and reflection. What began as a quest to escape the “struggling artist” phase evolved into a decade-long journey of discipline, growth, and transformation.

As we mark this anniversary, I’m thrilled to embark on a journey of sharing the behind-the-scenes stories, invaluable lessons, and significant milestones that have fueled our passion for mural artistry. Alongside these narratives, I’ll delve into the resources that shaped my path—books, videos, and seminars that played a pivotal role in developing Mural Lingo from the ground up.

Expect insights into the techniques and secrets behind mural artistry, strategies for creative entrepreneurship, and personal development hacks that made it possible to build a thriving studio with zero capital investment. My aim is to provide aspiring creatives with a roadmap to manifest their dreams and turn them into reality, just as I have done.

Every journey begins somewhere. For me, it began with the first mural that sparked an idea—and fueled the foundation of a dream.

Let me take you back to where it all began: The Wall That Started It All.