GEORGE TOWN, Sept 7 – The Official Signing Ceremony between the Penang Development Corporation and Yayasan Haji Zainuddin to set up a new iconic art museum, Ilham Penang George Town was held on this morning at Pranging Market, Jalan Lim Chwee Leong.
Penang is extremely excited with this new proposed development because every renowned international city in this world has within its walls a collection of iconic and illustrious art museums. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said they are also extremely enthusiastic because the ‘investment’ by Yayasan Haji Zainuddin will be a catalyst for culture-led urban regeneration in historical Georgetown.
He said Yayasan will invest at least RM30 million to build Ilham Penang and cover the cost of its operations and maintenance over the period of time. The art museum will have at least 45,000 square feet of gallery space which will be the largest of its kind in Malaysia.
Ilham Penang, when completed, will certainly go a long way towards making Penang an international destination of choice and contribute immensely towards the Georgetown remaining as one of the most livable cities of the world. More importantly, in the times of economic slowdown and uncertainty, Ilham Penang will be a catalyst for urban regeneration in Georgetown.
“We similarly believe that the Ilham model will be equally successful because the Trustees of Yayasan Zainuddin will be heavily incentivised to ensure that it succeeds, as it is their own money. And they have shown their desire to succeed by appointing one of the best art curators in the country today, Valentine Willie,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“We believe that the PDC-Yayasan Haji Zainuddin public-private partnership will give the project the greatest chance of success in Penang. Sia Boey is the name for a locality within the heart of George Town and in Hokkien it means ‘Town’s End’ and was home to hundreds of local families in the trading business,” he said.
He said Pasir Sia Boey in Malay, the area is known as Ujung. Meanwhile, Pasir Sia Boey or Ujung Pasir brings back nostalgic memories of a bustling market filled with commercial and cultural activities and it was the best showcase of Penang’s culture, heritage and commerce.
Therefore we are pleased that besides a RM30 million Ilham Penang, PDC will be investing an additional RM70 million to make Sia Boey, the Penang Heritage Arts District. In line with George Town’s World Heritage status, the dilapidated heritage shop houses will not be torn down but will be meticulously restored, to be occupied by art galleries, studios, schools and workspaces.
The Victorian Prangin Market will host flea markets and the best flavours of Penang street food. The Prangin Canal will be upgraded into a pristine water feature to complement a beautiful 2-acre public park dotted with stunning sculptures and installations, a unique open green space within George Town. The ambition isn’t only to make the Heritage Arts District the must-visit destination in Penang, the premier art district in Malaysia, but also in the whole of Southeast Asia.
In conjunction, there is also a showcase of artworks produced by local artists, working in collaboration art societies and galleries such as The Penang Arts Society, Penang Chinese Brush Painting Art Society, Penang Oil Painting Society, Penang Water Colour Society, Urban Sketches Penang, Batek-Lah Collection, The Art Gallery Penang and Alyssa Khoo Gallery. The future will become in an exhibition which will be held here for a week till 13thSeptember 2015.
