6 May 2019

A building resembling a turtle coming ashore will soon greet visitors driving along the Penang Bridge as a famed Sino-Singaporean artist plans to build a seven-storey art gallery that is set to become the state’s latest cultural icon.

The 88,000 sq ft Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery building, earmarked along the eastern coastline of Gelugor, will simulate a turtle approaching the shore, signifying longevity and kindness.

The seven-floor building will include a Unesco education centre on the ground floor and space for artwork from around the world.

The project is a collaboration between renowned artist Lin Xiang Xiong and IJM’s Jelutong Development Sdn Bhd. It commenced in December 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2021.

“It is a significant project which is reflective of our eastern culture and values. Penang’s art and cultural scene will see a big change once this gallery is completed,” Lin said at a signing ceremony with IJM.

Earlier, Lin, who is Space Arts and Culture (M) Sdn Bhd executive chairman, signed a sales and purchase agreement with IJM to buy and develop a piece of a 0.89-acre plot of land owned by IJM at the Light City Gelugor seafront.

(Photo: Lin Xiang Xiong (third from right) exchanging documents with IJM Land Bhd managing director Edward Chong at The Top, Komtar. With them are Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow and his state executive councillors)

Lin is a world-renowned artist and entrepreneur, originating from Guangdong, China and is now a Singaporean citizen. He studied in Singapore and France and has held exhibitions around the world.

The signing was witnessed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Chow supported Lin’s initiative of creating a gallery by incorporating Unesco as an strategy to foster collaboration with the UN cultural body. He said the gallery would also attract a new segment of tourists consisting art enthusiasts would further elevate Penang on a global map, creating prominence in the arts sector.

We are proud to announce that Unitech has been appointed by IJM for the provision of quantity surveying and cost management services for this iconic project.