Past Exhibitions > Opening Ceremony of The Poetry of Light: A Retrospective of Chong Hon Fatt
Physical Exhibition: 8 August 2026 - 20 September 2026
Virtual Exhibition: 18 August 2026

Opening Ceremony of The Poetry of Light: A Retrospective of Chong Hon Fatt

The Poetry of Light: A Retrospective of Chong Hon Fatt Learn More>

Event Highlight

Two youth performers reciting excerpts from President Ikeda’s long poem “Youthful Country with a Shining Future,” vividly conveying the unique charm of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

Artist, Chong Hon Fatt

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai expressing his admiration for Dato’ Chong’s unwavering dedication to art over the past 60 years. On display in the hall is a series of works created by Dato’ Chong on-site during the construction of the Penang Second Bridge, documenting its progress through art.

Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister YB Steven Sim Chee Keong praising Dato’ Chong Hon Fatt for vividly capturing the cultural character and passage of time through his paintings.

Guests and visitors pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony.

Visitors interested in the humanities and arts viewing “The Poetry of Light: A Retrospective of Chong Hon Fatt” exhibition.

Artist Chong Hon Fatt (left) gives Guest of Honour YB Steven Sim Chee Keong (right) a tour of the exhibition.

Curator Vicky Ho (second from right) gives Guest of Honour YB Steven Sim Chee Keong (centre) a tour of the exhibition, accompanied by artist Chong Hon Fatt (second from left) and SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai (far right).

On 18 August 2026, the exhibition “The Poetry of Light: A Retrospective of Chong Hon Fatt” officially opened at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (WKSGM), with Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister YB Steven Sim Chee Keong officiating the opening ceremony. Artist Dato’ Chong Hon Fatt, SGM representatives and other guests attended the ceremony, which commemorated his more than six decades of artistic journey.

Organised by SGM and Harmoni Soka Art and Culture, the exhibition presents 99 works created by Dato’ Chong from 1959 to the present. Known for his exploration of light through painting, Dato’ Chong used oil painting to document Penang’s cultural heritage and urban transformation, while capturing the cultural character and imprints of places he encountered throughout his travels around the world.

During the opening ceremony, two youth performers recited excerpts from President Ikeda’s long poem “Youthful Country with a Shining Future.” Their expressive recitation vividly conveyed the unique charm of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

YB Steven Sim described Dato’ Chong’s six-decade artistic journey as a profound pursuit, likening his brush to a vivid record of history that brings together the cultural heritage and passage of time of different places through light and shadow. He also praised SGM for organising the exhibition, recognising the artist’s achievements while promoting cultural exchange.

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai expressed his admiration for Dato’ Chong’s unwavering dedication to art over the past six decades, noting that his paintings have preserved many historically significant buildings and cultural memories. Dato’ Chong expressed his gratitude to SGM, the curatorial team and his family for their support, saying that he was deeply honoured to hold his retrospective exhibition at WKSGM. Following the opening ceremony, YB Steven Sim viewed the works under the artist’s guidance, gaining a deeper understanding of their significance.