Bernard Lim – a friend, a brother, a blessing

Bernard Lim Peng Aunn (right) holding up the custom photo book I designed for him in 2017.

On 26 January 2025, Bernard called me while I was busy making thau chang kuih (ribbon biscuits) for Chinese New Year. He was at the stunningly lit Kek Lok Si Temple that evening with a few sisters from the Little Sisters of the Poor, hoping to enter the pagoda – but it was closed to the public. Of course, I could not help him with that, but what mattered was hearing his familiar, jovial voice. He sounded full of life, his laughter warm and genuine, as always. Little did I know, that would be our last conversation.

Michael Quah’s Solo Art Show 2024

Life on Canvas & Island Resonances
21 September – 20 October 2024
SXI Heritage Centre, St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang

Tze Whay: charting a path of purpose through life's labyrinth

Dr Stefan Phang Tze Whay and I were moulded by the same hands, shaped by the same brilliant and dedicated teachers at La Salle School in Penang, Malaysia. Those formative years, shared with some of the most inspiring educators, laid the foundation for our lives. We were taught to think critically, to understand that our actions impact those around us, to hike, to camp and to revel in the embrace of nature. Our education transcended the classroom, preparing us for life at large. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," as WB Yeats once said. Our teachers ignited that fire within us.

Stitching Through Hardship: A Nyonya's War-Time Chronicle

At the Church of the Assumption, nestled amidst the charming streets of George Town, the hearts of Louis Michael Martin and Emily Elizabeth Surin became forever entwined. Their love story, like a cherished melody, found its harmonious crescendo on that memorable day of 7 August 1926. Officiating their marriage was Rev. Fr. P. Lerond. The church must have looked different from what we see today as it underwent a major renovation in 1928 when two wings were added.

Tan Sri Datuk Seri (Dr) Ahmad Nawab Khan, Seniman Negara

Celebrating six decades of contribution and achievements in the music industry

On 13 August 2017, the legendary Ahmad Nawab offered an intimate glimpse into his extraordinary musical journey during a dialogue session with Gareth Richards at the Penang House of Music. Over a career spanning six decades, Ahmad has composed more than 2,000 songs, with nearly 70 singers from across the region bringing his compositions to life. Many of these have become timeless standards. Besides ‘Bintang Malam’ (subsequently recorded by Zaharah Agus and Uji Rashid), other songs include ‘Kau Kunci Cintaku Dalam Hatimu’, ‘Setulus Hati Mu’, ‘Sabar Menanti’, ‘Tiada Maaf Bagi Mu’, ‘Antara Matamu dan Mataku’ and ‘Wajah Kesayanganmu’.

Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak – a self-taught artist of great talent

"In portrait painting, likeness is crucial"

Under the guidance of his father, Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak honed his artistic skills at a very young age. He was just nine years old when he earned his first commission – a portrait in oil which he sold for RM80.

Pastoral charms and rustic women – the batik art of Teng

An appreciation of a local legend

One does not run the risk of an overstatement when describing Chuah Thean Teng as the pioneer of batik painting. He is, after all, recognized internationally as the master of an exquisite and delicate art - one which requires skill, draftness, patience and meticulousness. In the fickle, fidgety and evolving world of art, his oeuvre has carved a permanent niche in the rare pantheon reserved for timeless and sublime works of beauty.

Capturing the opulence of bygone days – the Nyonya art of Sylvia Lee Goh

Sylvia Lee Goh embarked on a journey of discovery of identity and self-worth. It was a long road but with a lot of encouragement and moral support.

In the mid-eighties Sylvia was a member of the Arts and Craft Guild in which she held a committee member position for two years. This Guild was under the umbrella of the American Association.

In 1986, Ahmad Khalid Yusoff, the president of the Persatuan Perlukis Malaysia invited Sylvia to become a member. She was a life member of this Association.

Tan Choon Hoe – the crusader of Penang Hokkien Dialect

The Digital Age and today’s globalised world have been a boon for the spread of Popular Culture. Popular culture – Western or American, is slowly but surely seeping into our way of life. Predictably, even Asian youths are dressing and gesturing like their hip hop or boy band idols from MTV. Even the way we speak is being MTV-nised and you will find certain youths who are more at home going “Yo, dude” or "Whassup” than greet you in their native tongues.

P. Ramlee: Where lies the heart of a star

Every genius has his roots. Each marvel springs from a source.

In 1925, a young sailor from Lho' Seumawe in Acheh by the name of Teuku Nyak Puteh settled in Penang to marry a quiet lass from Butterworth, Che Mah Hussein.

As the modest couple began a new life in a village, it is unlikely they could in their wildest dreams have imagined that they would have a son who would someday become a legend.