“ We stock mostly Malaysian Art, both pioneer artists such as Abdullah Arif, Chuah Thean Teng, Khaw Sia, Yong Mun Sen as well as contemporary such as Alex Leong, Calvin Chua, Khoo Cheang Jin, Khoo Sue Hoe and others The Art Gallery Penang stock mostly Malaysian art, both contemporary (such as Alex Leong, Calvin Chua, Lee Joo For, Lee Long Looi) and old masters/Pioneers works by Malaysian pioneer artists (such as Abdullah Ariff, Chuah Thean Teng, Lee Cheng Yong, Khaw Sia and Kuo Ju Ping and Yong Mun Sen). Established in 1989, The Art Gallery Penang is the brain child of philanthropist and avid art collector Dato’ Dr Tan Chee Khuan and his late wife, Siau Bian. The gallery quickly made a name in the art world to become a prominent art gallery holding between 12 and 15 exhibitions of the masterpieces by local well-known artists. Amongst its repertoire of collections are artworks by pioneer artists such as Yong Mun Sen, Kuo Ju Ping, Khaw Sia, Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng and Dato’ Mohd Hoessein Enas. The gallery also actively gave prominence to artists mostly from Penang, Malaysia and also those from other Asian countries. The gallery ventured into publishing and as at today it has produced more than 40-over art books on Malaysian art and artists. Due to Siau Bian’s untimely demise in late 2001 from acute myeloid leukemia, the gallery was closed in August 2002 for exhibitions. However, Dato Dr. Tan’s passion for art lives on as the gallery continues to showcase his extensive collections and is also known for making available a very wide and big selection of beautiful fine art masterpieces for art lovers who wish to invest or purchase fine art works of Malaysian artists. Upon requests by fans, The Art Gallery was revived in 2013 operating on “By Appointment” Only. After some 30-odd years of involvement in the art world, Dato' Dr Tan, then started his own career as an artist in 2008 and has held 4 solo exhibitions from 2009 to 2011. He continues to be the executive director of the gallery and is currently a vice-chairman of the Penang State Art Gallery committee and since 2011, advisor for the Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers auctions of Malaysian art. He continues to be a prolific writer of art books and publisher and has written many art books and articles on art, mental health and a book against beliefs in the supernatural and superstitions. These books are also available for sale at his gallery. Since April 2016, Ee Lene, his daughter has officially taken over the management of the gallery with Dato' Dr Tan as her mentor. Ee Lene curates solo and group exhibitions four to six times a year, providing a platform showcasing recent works of contemporary Malaysian artists (established and emerging artists) as well as occasionally curating mini-retrospectives exhibitions for local artists who have been in the art career for at least 10-15 years, to show the evolution of their work. The Art Gallery Penang is mainly for hosting art exhibitions, art books launching, art selling and other art-related events. We offer wide selection of paintings, drawings and sculpture with a range of prices. We provide expertly curated environment for artists to exhibit and sell their artworks
During exhibition periods, it is open on Fridays to Sundays from 2pm until 5pm. At other times, viewing is by appointment only. To view the gallery’s collections and/or to acquire some masterpieces of Malaysian art works, please contact Ee Lene at wasap.my/60126041434 or [email protected] for an appointment.
