RENOWNED artist and intellectual Prof Lin Xiang Xiong suggested the use of art to help promote peace and mutual benefit in a world growing increasingly turbulent.
As his landmark turtle-shaped art gallery was official unveiled at The Light Waterfront near the Penang Bridge, Lin said art can sooth tensions while coaxing the mind to seek peace.
He expressed hope that his gallery, which bears his signature art works, would serve as a platform for cultural dialogue, promoting peace and unity across diverse traditions while elevating Penang’s cultural standing on the global stage.
China-born Lin also underscored the importance of art in an increasingly turbulent world.
“In a world confronted by tension and conflict, art can steady emotions, elevate awareness and deepen understanding. Art cannot directly stop wars, but it can illuminate the mind. When countless points of light converge, darkness will eventually be dispelled,” he said.
To mark its opening, the gallery is presenting a special exhibition, titled Picasso and Lin Xiang Xiong: A Dialogue Across Time.
Centred on the theme of dialogue, the exhibition explores the artistic resonance between Picasso’s modernist language and the Eastern cultural perspectives embedded in Prof Lin’s works.
The striking, turtle-shaped Art Gallery was officially opened by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
The eight-storey art museum rises above the sea and is founded on the powerful mission of ‘Art for Peace’ with the turtle (Gui) design in Chinese mythology representing longevity.
The gallery houses a collection of more than 1,000 artworks, with over 400 pieces on display at any given time.
Chow described the gallery made possible through the vision and generosity of its founder Lin, as a significant addition to the state’s cultural landscape.
“Penang has always been known as a place where heritage, art, and culture grow naturally. Our murals, historic buildings, traditions, and creative communities have made Penang famous around the world,” he said.
He highlighted the growing global trend of cultural tourism, where travellers plan their journeys around major galleries and cultural institutions.
Among those present were Penang State Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang, Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
The gallery opens from Tuesday to Sunday.
Tickets are currently available for on-site purchase, with online ticketing and reservation systems to be introduced progressively. - December 15, 2025.
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