Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic has lamented the exploitation of his famed street artworks in Penang to make money.

He also expressed his sadness to see that people living within the vicinity of his artworks have had to find new homes due to the rise in housing rates.

"I see my work printed on all types of unlicensed merchandising. I wanted to benefit the community, not create a tool for others to make money.

"It is sad to see many residents forced to leave their homes because of the ever rising rates in the area," he said in a statement today.

Zacharevic said when he first produced the George Town mural series, his intention was to create artworks inspired by the community in secluded spots to resonate with the local people.

"The dynamics of the environment have since changed dramatically - these pieces are no longer 'quietly discovered'.

"Instead, they have evolved into well-recognised symbols of the area and are often exploited by big businesses to generate global attention for themselves.

"As much as I am aware of the darker consequences street art can have in 'gentrifying', it is not something I can control as an artist; it's not why we produce work.

"It brings about an internal conflict which goes beyond the art," he noted.

Zacharevic said he was grateful that no one had retouched his artworks, and that it was never his intention to restore them when they deteriorate.

"I've always said that I would never restore the murals. It is part of the charm of street art to watch a piece fade and change with the city, and these works were never designed to last so long.

"However, four years of immense public appreciation has convinced me otherwise.

"This week, I have replaced the broken and worn parts and refreshed the portraits. Hopefully they will continue to inspire the local people, travellers and visitors alike to this great city," he said.

He also thanked the local community for maintaining his artworks without retouching them.

"I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the George Town Festival and the incredible efforts of the community... the people to whom these works actually belong.

"They tirelessly maintain these pieces, cleaning them to keep them presentable and caring for the immediate environment," he pointed out.