Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery In Penang
Penangites, if you spot a Darth Vader helmet-esque building peeking above the next row of trees as you drive along The Light City area – surprise, surprise, it isn’t a gigantic Darth Vader helmet.
The turtle-shaped establishment is, in fact, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Penang, constructed in dedication to the life and works of the renowned Singaporean artist Lin Xiang Xiong, and now open to the public.
Here’s a guide to the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Penang:
A turtle-shaped art gallery by a famed Singaporean artist
For the uninitiated, Professor Lin Xiang Xiong is a world-renowned artist and entrepreneur who has had his works showcased in solo exhibitions across the world. Before the opening of the gallery in Penang, Professor Lin held major solo exhibitions in cities including Beijing, Paris, Singapore, and Bangkok.
The official opening ceremony of Lin Xiang Xiong’s art institution in Penang on 14th December saw the attendance of Former French Prime Minister His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, as well as Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow.
Image credit: Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery
The sight of the art institution can be a rather baffling one when you catch a glimpse of the futuristic-looking structure as you drive along the area, but the large building is actually the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery, which aims to become one of Southeast Asia’s largest private art galleries.
Located along the shores of The Light Waterfront in Penang and jutting out slightly into the Penang Strait, the 8-storey building is the product of a collaboration between famed Singaporean artist Professor Lin Xiang Xiong and IJM Corporation Berhad, as a living archive of Lin’s prolific artworks across six decades, as well as vast collections of those of emerging artists across the region.
Image credit: Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery
Somewhat resembling a mini version of the Sydney Opera House, the building of the art gallery is said to be a visual extension of Lin’s artistic philosophy, which very frequently delves into intentional themes of humanity and harmony, and is founded upon the core mission of “Art for Peace”.
While the architecture of the outside is eye-catchingly contemporary, its interiors are thoughtfully curated to give visitors a contemplative experience, with spacious halls, open-viewing zones, as well as Penang’s serene oceanic backdrop.
The various exhibitions in Lin Xiang Xiong’s art museum
Visitors will be treated to an intimate artistic odyssey of Lin’s, with both permanent and rotating exhibitions showcasing the artist’s early works, landscape pieces of Southeast Asia’s rich tapestry, as well as diverse artworks that explore the unity and multicultural coexistence of humanity.
The collection of over a whopping four hundred pieces of artworks, out of over a thousand, which will be displayed on regular rotations, is exhibited across four floors. Spanning from the 3rd through 6th Floors are the main exhibition spaces, each focusing on major themes of Lin’s: Story of Xiang Xiong, Story of Nanyang, The Vicissitudes of Life, and Story of Nature.
The special launch exhibition is set on the 7th Floor, titled Picasso and Lin Xiang Xiong: A Dialogue across Time, bringing together the unexpected harmony between Picasso’s modernist edge and the Eastern cultural influences in Professor Lin’s work.
From anti-war messages to environmental awareness and poverty issues, the exhibition reveals how artists from different worlds grapple with the same human concerns, and how art is used as a medium and a powerful voice for peace.
Apart from the main exhibition of Professor Lin, there’s the Art Seed Garden on the 2nd Floor, which is an art education centre as a space to nurture the creative minds of future generations.
Right by the exit on the lobby is a souvenir corner where visitors can shop for keepsakes of Lin Xiang Xiong’s Art Museum in form of T-shirts, postcards, mugs, and refrigerator magnets.
Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery at The Light Waterfront, Penang
Already celebrated for its UNESCO-listed George Town, Penang Island will soon boast a dedicated art institution honouring one of Southeast Asia’s most influential artists. More than just a landmark to display creative expression, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery hopes to foster the broader role of art in shaping society and inspiring future generations in Penang.
The art gallery is currently in its soft-opening phase, with tickets available for purchase on-site.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Jia-Ju.
This article was originally published on 8th October 2025, and was updated on 24th December 2025.