66th Anniversary of Penang Art Society
Speech by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang
For The 66th Anniversary of Penang Art Society
24th August 2019
Dr. Tan Chong Guan
Penang State Art Gallery Committee Member
Mdm. Rokiah Ismail
Penang State Art Gallery Committee Member
Mr. Ch’ng Huck Theng
President of Penang Art Society
Mr. Lok Peng San
President of the Calligraphers’ Association of Penang
Mr Gooi Chye Soon
Organizing Chairman of Penang Art Society 66th Anniversary Exhibition
Members of the Media, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Penang Art Society for your 66th Anniversary. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Penang Art Society for the invitation to grace this significant event. It is indeed a great honour for me in addressing all of you – the men and women gifted in the arts – right now at this very moment.
Penang Art Society officially came into being in 1953, even before the independence of Malaysia, and the Society has since then, proven itself to be a great platform for local and foreign artists to showcase their creations. I must commend the current President, Mr Ch’ng Huck Theng and his committee members for their efforts in taking this society a step further as formerly it was only a society with Chinese members but now it has prevailed to be one that is inclusive of all races that also welcomes foreign international participants. As a result, today, the Penang Art Society is not only the oldest but is also the largest art society in Malaysia with more than 600 members and still growing.
The Penang State Government supports such an effort because it is a step in the right direction to contribute towards the identity of Penang as a melting pot. Looking ahead, I strongly encourage more art exhibitions and events with common themes or interests to be held, as it is a significant way to bring individuals of different backgrounds together and help us all bridge our differences and respect for each other’s choices.
On the other hand, the Penang State Government also supports the Penang Art Society’s endeavour for its expansion to cover six different art forms – music, poetry, painting, engraving, calligraphy, and photography as well as opening its membership to non-artists who have a keen interest in the arts, including art enthusiasts, art professionals, art collectors and supporters. Such an effort, will furthermore, promote better interaction amongst artists, art lovers and art dilettantes
Penang is a renowned tourist destination, but we must keep on striving to improve and create new products for visitors to see and to explore. Besides being conferred the UNESCO World Heritage status, we can all work together to place Penang on the world map as a hub for the arts that displays the creativity and unity of a multicultural community. With this identity, Penang will attract more tourists and we can further promote our state as a model to inspire our very own nation.
Through arts, I hope organisations like Penang Art Society will work endlessly towards the flourishing of our talents in the arts as well as working towards the state government’s aim to promote a conducive environment in which people with different ideas and from an assortment of backgrounds are able to socially assimilate into one melting pot. Let us bring the arts closer to the people and visitors. Together, we can Penang an artistic state full of colours, fun and excitement. My hope is that the arts will emerge as an alternate language of communication for everyone in Penang!
Lastly, congratulations once again to the Penang Art Society for your 66th Anniversary Celebration. My best wishes for your future endeavours in promoting unity and our talents through the arts!
Thank you.