Exploring multicultural connections
Three arts and cultural events at the Commonwealth of World Chinatown’s first conference in Penang 2025
CWC co-founder Lee Khai said that art is a bridge that brings together different groups and perspectives. “The concept of CWC originated from the historical context of Penang and Singapore's Chinatown, exploring the multicultural connections between these two cities and China, as well as Asia and the wider world,” said Lee.
“We hope to show the relationship between modernity and postcolonial transformation through the exchange of knowledge, language, science and art.”
Lee added that to achieve this goal, CWC has specially planned three arts and cultural events for its recent conference:
Dinner with Emily – by renowned playwright Stella Kon who re-arranged her classic work Emily on Emerald Hill into a musical revue and performs it with a dinner
Silent Art Auction – featuring works by 40 artists to raise funds for the Penang Art District; and
Tan Kwank Liang’s installation of the experiential art, titled Journey of Stars and Oceans – Inspired by the historical comparison between Zheng He and Leonardo da Vinci, it echoes one of the conference themes, “Writing Our Narratives”, and explores how Eastern knowledge may have inspired the European Renaissance
Lee Khai said that Zheng He’s voyages are not only a glory for the East, but also an important testimony to the exchange of human civilisations.
##CROSSOVER: Click here to read our story, Sailing through history: Tan’s sojourn through stars and seas, at www.newasiacurrents.com
“CWC hopes to promote cross-cultural learning and continuously expand the boundaries of human knowledge through such artistic and intellectual dialogues,” he added.
Journey of Stars and Oceans by international artist Tan Kwank Liang, also known as Kenley, is currently at The Courtyard@Beach Street 1786, George Town, Penang, from now until Sept 30, 2025. It opens daily from 5pm to 10pm.
##CROSSOVER: Click here to read our story, Breathing new life into Penang’s heritage godowns, at www.newasiacurrents.com
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