Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery opens, bridging art and peace

After more than two years of development following the signing of its main construction agreement in September 2023, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery officially opened its doors today, marking a significant addition to Penang’s cultural and artistic landscape. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow and former Prime Minister of France, His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, underscoring the gallery’s international stature and its aspirations beyond national borders.

Rising eight storeys above the sea at The Light Waterfront, the gallery arrives with an ambitious mission — “Art for Peace.” More than a physical structure, it positions itself as a platform where art, humanity and dialogue converge at a time when global tensions and uncertainty continue to dominate international discourse.

A cultural platform designed for global dialogue

Housing a collection of over 1,000 artworks, with more than 400 pieces displayed throughout the year, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery presents a rotating programme of visual narratives and humanistic reflections. Its facilities include an art education centre, permanent exhibition floors, a special exhibition hall and an international collaboration conference room, reflecting its commitment to both public engagement and scholarly exchange.

The sixth floor serves as an international exhibition platform, set to host leading artists and curated projects from around the world. This space is expected to play a key role in positioning Penang as a regional hub for cross-cultural dialogue and artistic innovation, complementing the state’s long-standing reputation as a meeting point of cultures.

While the gallery prominently features the works of Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, its founder, the institution’s vision extends far beyond a single artistic legacy. It aims to foster sustained international artistic exchange through exhibitions, joint curatorial initiatives, forums and education programmes, gradually evolving into an open, diverse and long-term cultural platform.

“Civilisations are not defined by superiority or inferiority, but by their depth. Every culture is the crystallisation of its people’s history and labour,” Professor Lin said, encapsulating the philosophical foundation upon which the gallery is built.

Art, peace and cultural diplomacy

The opening ceremony also marked a significant moment for the intersection of art and international peacebuilding. Professor Lin was officially appointed to the Leaders for Peace Council, an international organisation founded by Jean-Pierre Raffarin and dedicated to preventive diplomacy, civilisational dialogue and peace education.

His appointment signals the growing recognition of artistic voices within global peace initiatives, and further strengthens the gallery’s role as a tool of cultural diplomacy. It reflects an understanding that art can operate beyond aesthetics — as a medium for dialogue, empathy and shared values in a fragmented world.

Reflecting on the contemporary global climate, Professor Lin emphasised the role of art in times of turbulence. “In a world confronted by tension and conflict, art can steady emotions, elevate awareness and deepen understanding. Art cannot directly stop wars, but it can illuminate the mind. When countless points of light converge, darkness will eventually be dispelled,” he said.

These ideals were echoed throughout the day’s events, reinforcing the notion that cultural institutions can serve as quiet yet powerful counterweights to division, offering spaces for reflection and connection rather than confrontation.

Inaugural exhibitions and international forum

To commemorate its opening, the gallery launched a special exhibition titled Picasso and Lin Xiang Xiong: A Dialogue Across Time. Centred on the concept of “dialogue,” the exhibition explores artistic resonance between Pablo Picasso’s modernist language and the Eastern cultural perspectives embedded in Professor Lin’s works.

Through themes such as anti-war, anti-poverty and environmental consciousness, the exhibition aligns closely with the gallery’s “Art for Peace” mission, inviting visitors to reflect on shared human concerns across cultures and generations.

The opening day also featured the Art for Peace International High-Level Art Forum, which brought together distinguished cultural, diplomatic and artistic leaders from UNESCO, France, Brazil, Japan, China and Malaysia. Structured around two thematic sessions — Governance & Peace and Arts & Peace — the forum examined issues of civilisational dialogue, cultural soft power, artistic responsibility and cross-cultural engagement.

Discussions explored how art can foster understanding, support emotional healing and build meaningful exchanges amid global uncertainty, positioning the gallery as not merely an exhibition space but an active convenor of ideas.

During the forum, Professor Lin reiterated the ethical responsibility he believes art must carry. “Art is not merely aesthetic. It is the yeast of human civilisation, a force that records truth and preserves conscience. If art can become a bridge between civilisations, then the gallery must embrace the responsibility of fostering peace and mutual understanding. This is not just a personal aspiration, but a collective responsibility,” he said.

Located at The Light Waterfront, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery is currently in its soft-opening phase and is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays closed. During this initial period, tickets are available for on-site purchase, while online ticketing and reservation systems will be introduced progressively. As Penang adds another cultural landmark to its skyline, the gallery’s challenge — and promise — will lie in translating lofty ideals into sustained public engagement and meaningful international exchange.