While many Penangites and other Malaysians fail to see anything of value in Kampung Buah Pala, 14 of Penang’s top artists felt otherwise. This morning, a downpour did not deter them from descending on the village to capture images of the village for posterity.
As the artists caressed their canvases with deft flicks of the brush, the thuds of ongoing demolition work broke the tranquility of the village – no doubt, music to the ears of the developer. A herd of cows grazed on a hillock behind while a couple ambled closer as their curiosity got the better of them.
Among the renown artists were Chong Hon Fatt, who runs an art gallery in George Town, and Ong Choon Hoo from Bukit Mertajam.
Hon Fatt said a journalist invited them to come and record impressions of the village, and he and his colleagues in the art fraternity jumped at the idea.
“It’s so nice, wonderful,” purred Choon Hoo, savouring the atmosphere. “I feel sad because it’s going to be destroyed. Actually, it should be preserved and protected as our history and culture. It’s full of culture and nature. When I went there, I felt it was totally different from the town area. It’s a very traditional place.”
Other professional artists who turned up included gallery owner Koay Soo Kau, Tan Lye Hoe, Lean Kim Lam, Choy Kim Hong, Lau Seong Leng, and Yeap Tho Seng.
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