Tag: sculpture

Penang Street Art (The ‘Sad Art’ Cement Eclipses Miniatures)

During the George Town Festival, Spanish artist Isaac Cordal brought a unique touch to Penang by placing around 20 tiny cement sculptures—known as Cement Eclipses—throughout George Town. These small, somber-looking figures, about 17–20 cm tall, can be found perched on walls, ledges, and electrical boxes, often high above eye level. Blending quietly into the city’s heritage architecture, they invite passersby to pause, look up, and discover hidden corners of the city—like a little art treasure hunt tucked into the urban landscape.

Here is the list of locations where you can hunt/find these tiny art sculptures (note: some may no longer be there anymore or removed):

  • Armenian Street Junction (opposite the famous bicycle mural)
  • Biscotti Cafe, Beach Street
  • Warehouse 129, Beach Street
  • Fuku (side alley of the building), Beach Street
  • The Courtyard, Beach Street
  • Vietnamese Phở & Coffee @ Lean Thye 1951 (building’s back), Ah Quee Street
  • Lebuh Ah Quee Junction
  • 56, Lorong Pasar
  • Penang Straits and Oriental Museum, Stewart Lane
  • 39, Love Lane
  • 33, Love Lane
  • Journal George Town, Muntri Street
  • Green-colored Townhouses along Magazine Road
  • Curios-City Penang, Victoria Street
  • U.A.B Building Interior (closed at the time of this hunt)

Penang Street Art (Nyonya Kuih Seller)

An art sculpture depicting an Indian selling “nyonya kuih ” on the street. This was a common sight back in the old days whereby nyonya kuih sellers (most of them are Indians) would be either cycling or walking around the town selling the local delicacies.

George Town Street View: CHULIA LANE

Chulia Lane is a small street in George Town that runs from Stewart Lane to Chulia Street. In the old days, the street was known as “17 Houses Street” due to the number of heritage townhouses that once lined up along the street. Presently, some of these townhouses have been converted to inns and cafes.

A steel rod art sculpture located at Chulia Lane.

Penang Isle: Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in George Town and is located in Penang’s Little India along Queen Street. The historical temple was built in 1833 and is also known as Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

On a side note, Thaipusam festival was also held on 8 January this year in Penang.

Penang Hindu Temple: The Waterfall Temple Arch

A beautiful arch-entrance to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani in Penang.

Wishing all Hindus a Happy Deepavali!

Butterworth Bagan: Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu Temple

Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu Temple is an old and historical Hindu temple located at the Bagan Luar area in Butterworth. The temple was found to have originated from a small hut built by the local Hindu community here in 1853 as a place of worship for the Hindu mother deity Amman. Subsequently, the temple underwent additional renovation and expansion into a beautiful and impressive temple complex today.

George Town Street View: A Qilin Sculpture

One of the most common mythical creatures in Chinese lore is the Qilin. Qilin looks like a cross-breed of a dragon and a giraffe although historically, Qilin was said to have originated from the giraffe. According to Chinese beliefs, Qilin is a divine creature that protects against evil and therefore, usually appears as sculptures or paintings in temples as well as in ancient Chinese architecture.