Reviews of current and coming shows and events in Penang.
Obscura Festival Exhibitions: Global Photography in Penang
The Obscura Photography Festival is an independent project based in Penang. This month sees its seventh instalment since it was established by Vignes Balasingam in 2013. The festival holds a variety of events, including photography exhibitions held at Hin Bus Depot...
Animal Companion, Until October 31st 2019
Currently there is a stunning ensemble of animal related art from Ryan Ng adorning the walls of the G Hotel Art Gallery until 31st October 2019. Ryan Ng, though only 19 years of age and just starting university, has already developed his skill level to extraordinary...
Hungry Ghost Festival, August 1st – 29th 2019
You will want to watch out this month in Penang. The gates of hell have been opened — according to Chinese Buddhist and Taoist beliefs — and ghosts are roaming freely. These long-necked spirits are hungry, both for food and entertainment. And it is the role of the...
FACES by Khoo Sui Hoe, July 27th – August 25th 2019
Enter the Daiichi Art Space and you'll find yourself stared at by a plethora of small faces. FACES, the new exhibition of paintings by Khoo Sui Hoe, is, well, what the title might lead you to believe: a lot of paintings of a lot of faces. But there is something...
The Extravaganza, July 28th 2019
The finale of the George Town Festival 2019 will be a huge celebration — fittingly titled The Extravaganza — on the evening of the 28th July, from 5pm - 11pm along Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai). This will involve some 120 artists, both local and international, in a...
BIRD, July 26th & 27th 2019
BIRD is a visually stunning dance production brought to George Town Festival 2019 by two renowned collaborators, the visual theatre company WHS from Finland and the Pichet Klunchun Dance Company from Thailand. Fittingly, while BIRD itself is a product of...
Subculture: Obscura Photography Exhibition, July 13th – August 31st 2019
For its seventh year joining with George Town Festival, the Obscura Festival of Photography is exploring the topic of ‘subcultures’. This theme is not only the focus of talks and workshops but also the free exhibition, titled ‘Subculture: An Exploration into the Human...
Gerimis: A Collaborative Orang Asli Art Exhibition, July 11th – 28th 2019
‘Gerimis’ translates as ‘drizzle’ — a very light rain that often goes unnoticed. This is a neat analogy for the aims of Gerimis: A Collaborative Orang Asli Art Exhibition — to draw attention to the traditions of the Orang Asli and the (largely undermined yet very...
Teater Normcore: Double Bill, July 23rd & 24th 2019
Teater Normcore: Double Bill is an upcoming performance taking place during George Town Festival this year, both directed and written by Ridhwan Saidi. Typically denoting unisex, everyday unpretentious clothing, ‘Normcore’ is an ethos that Saidi applies to the realm...