Time flies at shuttle speed: being the first Pan-Malaysian studio of fine art, the Penang Art Studio since its foundation till now, at the blink of an eye has traversed half a century. This article briefly traced the roots of its origin, background and enumerates some if its students and artists. The main aim is to put on record an indelible part of Malaysian art history and enshrining some of its past forgotten milestones.

Due to a lack of funds, even though the studio only lasted two years, it must be put on record the glorious efforts of the pioneers; the trio blazed a new trail, they could even wear out stones with patience, they tended the seedlings of artistic talents, they scaled artistic heights, and went through the arduous and torturous road without any regrets. Their lofty aspirations and sentiments, should be extolled and forever engraved in Malaysian art history.Penang Art Studio, has now become our historically forgotten treasure trove. After this unravelling, it is fervently hoped that this event will be engraved in the history of Malaysian Art, thus redeeming its glorious advent as milestone.Presently, the profession of art industry faces stiff competition. However, we hold steadfastly the goals and ideals. Past artists strenuously strived for their best, their spirit of struggle were not weakened, their outlook always optimistic, audacious and challenging, exuding the best of their fighting spirit.

Even though the past has gone forever, we do not lose our tenacity, for we will face right on whatever challenges.Bracing the storms and winds, we have with us many artist friends and fellow-travelers, never abandoning one another, but facing the challenges shoulder to shoulder, thorough thick and thin, we will triumph at the rainbow's end. This profound friendship has its spirit carved in stone. In fact, "A myriad years is too long. Seize the hour, seize the day!" The profession of art is but another form of Long March. Our future road of art is long and arduous, but we will match it with our tenacious fighting spirit.A goblet of cloudy liquor amidst the wind and the rain, new and old winds intermingle, and we fervently hope that the art profession even though it faces numerous difficulties and obstacles, at the ultimate end it proudly proclaims;"A thousand panning, a myriad filterings while strenuous and bitter, the ultimate blow will swirl the frenzied sands & yield the gilded glitter."


Chuah Siew Teng, Penang
Translated from Chinese into English by Prof. Dr. Chuah Chong Cheng