KUALA LUMPUR: The Penang Art: Then & Now exhibition hosted by The Edge Galerie here offers those interested in fine art a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view an exclusive collection of rare works done by dozens of celebrated artists from the state.

The exhibition, which premiered yesterday, saw The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd managing director Au Foong Yee, famed artist Dr Cheah Thien Soong and Wendy Kok, senior manager, brand and communications at IJM Land Bhd attending. IJM Land is the sponsor of The Edge Galerie.

A public talk — by the exhibition’s co-curators, artist and gallery owner Koay Soo Kau and lawyer and art activist Lee Khai — was given at the Kuala Lumpur preview. The talk detailed the stories behind the individual paintings which enabled those interested to learn more about the history and background of Penang’s fine art and its artists.

According to them, Penang art has a long and colourful history — the first Malayan artist to hold an art exhibition in the country was Ooi Hwa, who showed his works in Penang in 1927. Another significant moment in Malaysia’s artistic history happened when prominent artist Yong Mun Sen moved from Singapore to Penang, subsequently establishing his own studio there.

The exhibition features artworks sourced from private collectors in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, as well as from the artists themselves and their family members. 

The collection is a conglomeration of artworks selected from major Penang pioneer artists, such as Yong Mun Sen, Abdullah Ariff, Kuo Ju Ping, Datuk Tay Hooi Keat and Datuk Chuah Thean Teng, as well as those from the second and third generations of artists. Among them are: Tan Choon Ghee, Tan Chiang Kiong, Khoo Cheang Jin and Hasnul Jamal Saidon.

The effort is aimed at promoting a greater appreciation of Malaysian art, particularly through works produced by prominent artists associated with Penang.

The paintings in oil and watercolour also include mixed media works, and even a sculpture from some of Penang’s rising stars.

None of the 41 pieces on display at Penang Art: Then & Now are for sale. The exhibition runs until Sept 20.

The Edge Galerie is located at G5-G6 Mont Kiara Meridin, 19 Jalan Duta Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, and is open from 11am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. For details, please contact The Edge Galerie at [email protected] or call (03) 7721 8188, or visit the website at www.theedgegalerie.com.

This article first appeared in digitaledge Daily, on September 11, 2015.