Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
A small art gallery in Penang is making big waves in Southeast Asia’s art scene by bringing over 60 authentic Pablo Picasso works to Malaysia – a feat that would typically cost millions and involve years of international negotiations.
The Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery’s inaugural special exhibition, “Picasso and Lin Xiang Xiong: A Dialogue Across Time”, opened late December and runs until 31 March.
It’s likely the most significant Picasso showcase ever mounted in Malaysia.
But this isn’t your typical “come see the famous paintings” exhibition.
The gallery has deliberately chosen Picasso works focused on peace and anti-war themes – lithographs, posters, and prints the Spanish master created not for wealthy collectors, but to circulate among ordinary people during times of conflict.
“Picasso’s selected works were never intended for private collectors. They were created to circulate in society and enter our lives,” said Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, the gallery’s namesake and a contemporary Malaysian artist whose 300 paintings are displayed alongside Picasso’s pieces.
A Conversation Across Centuries
The exhibition pairs Picasso’s 20th-century responses to two world wars and the Spanish Civil War with Lin’s modern works addressing today’s ethnic conflicts, refugee crises, and regional wars.
Instead of simply showcasing masterpieces, the gallery creates what Lin calls “an evolving visual archive of how peace has been imagined, communicated and shared across time.”
The exhibition’s peace theme feels particularly relevant as global conflicts continue to make headlines, with the gallery presenting Picasso’s anti-war art as an ongoing call to action rather than as historical artefacts.
“Visitors are not just viewing valuable artworks, they are engaging with an evolving visual archive,” Lin explained.
In moments of extreme conflict, Picasso chose to respond consistently and powerfully – that commitment forms the foundation of this exhibition.
Making Art Accessible
Despite featuring works by one of history’s most expensive artists, the gallery has kept admission reasonable – RM38 for Malaysian adults on weekdays, with discounts for seniors and children.
The four-month run and family-friendly pricing suggest a genuine intent to reach diverse audiences beyond art collectors and tourists.
The exhibition runs Tuesday through Sunday, with the gallery closed on Mondays.
It further solidifies the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery – an eight-story art museum located above the sea at The Light Waterfront – as a serious cultural institution in the city’s growing arts scene.
This is no small feat given that securing authentic Picasso works typically requires extensive international connections, insurance, and transport logistics that can exceed many institutions’ annual budgets.
In a world still grappling with conflict, this small Penang gallery is proving that art’s power to inspire peace remains as relevant today as it was in Picasso’s time.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.