The Steel Rod Sculptures Of George Town, Penang

Posted by : foongpc | Tuesday, April 8, 2014 | Published in

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Besides the murals, there is another type of street art in Penang known as steel rod sculptures.

During my 4-day trip in Penang last year, I managed to capture some photos of the murals and the steel rod sculptures in George Town. Read about the murals in my previous post.

The steel rod sculptures are really a collection of caricatures by local cartoonists depicting the history of the streets where they are located. I guess it's more fun to learn about the history of George Town in this way.

This sculpture below is located at Cannon Street based on a caricature by cartoonist Tang Mun Kian. It shows a trishaw peddlar falling into a hole on the ground while the passenger looks on in astonishment. It's actually a comical depiction about a cannon shot fired during the 1867 Penang riots  that made a large hole in this area. Now you know why this street is known as Cannon Street? : )

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However, the hole was said to be not on the ground, but on the wall of the minaret of Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Lebuh Acheh)! I managed to take a photo of the said mosque. Can you see the hole?

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I saw this on the wall of Yeoh Kongsi along Chulia Street Ghaut. Based on the caricature of cartoonist Baba Chuah, it depicts a group of newly arrived immigrants received by their host. The Yeoh Kongsi was established in 1836 to look after the welfare of the newly arrived Yeoh clansmen.

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Did you know that up till the year 1909, the police in George Town also doubled up as fire fighters? This was clearly depicted in this steel rod sculpture on a wall along Chulia Street Ghaut.

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Based on the caricature by cartoonist Tang Mun Kian, this sculpture complete with a red firehose barrel celebrates the Beach Street Fire Station (Balai Bomba Lebuh Pantai) in George Town. (photo below)

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There are many shophouses turned budget hotels at Love Lane and this is celebrated with this steel rod sculpture on a wall along Love Lane. Based on a caricature by cartoonist Reggie Lee, it depicts a rather comical budget hotel scene.

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My photo is not very clear, so in case you can't read what the cashier said to the tourist, well this is what he said : "Your room is upstairs. Later, if you want a massage, I can do it at budget rate." LOL!

There's another steel rod sculpture along Love Lane which seems to describe this street pretty well. Based on the caricature by cartoonist Tang Mun Kian, it depicts a man climbing down the wall from a window apparently to escape from a raid.

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It is widely believed that in those days, rich men who lived at nearby Muntri Street kept their mistresses in the houses at Love Lane.

On a wall facing Muntri Street, I saw this 'one leg kicks all' steel rod sculpture based on another caricature by cartoonist Tang Mun Kian. It celebrates the amah or Chinese housemaids.

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These amahs, which came from Guangdong Province in China, did almost everything in the household, from cleaning to cooking to taking care of the children, hence they are known as 'yat keok thek' which in Cantonese means 'one leg kicks all'.

This steel rod sculpture at Sungai Ujong Road depicts two barbers on opposite sides of the then Prangin canal throwing locks of cut hair into the canal, to the bewilderment of a boatman passing through.

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Based on yet another caricature by cartoonist Tang Mun Kian, the sculpture celebrates the barbers who lined up on both side of the canal to ply their trade in those days.

There were many more steel rod sculptures which I have missed or did not take photos of because it was too dark by then, but if you are interested, the complete list can be found at Timothy Tye's Penang Travel Tips website.

I still prefer murals compared to these steel rod sculptures but the latter do provide some comic relief during my walk around the streets of George Town.

Comments (42)

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That's my hometown and I studied at the Christian Brothers school which the side's gate opened to LOVE LANE. Now that dimly lit lane has lots of Ah Kuas at night!! Did you get hook up ??? Muahahahahaha
My recent post 4 Countries in One Day
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
I love these drawings and they looked new to me as I have not seen them before. I am surprised to hear that the policemen had to be fire fighters too! What a tough job for them.
My recent post 4 Countries in One Day
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
You mean the drawings are all made from steel rods?? That's amazing!
My recent post 4 Countries in One Day
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
Love all the steel art. I wanna go Penang and see all these too!
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
Princess Ribbon's avatar

Princess Ribbon · 592 weeks ago

The steel rod sculptures look interesting, all of them.. I have never seen nor imagined anything like that before.. If I'm there, I scared cannot tahan itchy hands touch & pull the rods, kekekeke.. *shhhh*
My recent post Lunch Box
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
aiyoh, Penang Penang!! have not been to Penang for ages lah.. let me recall, the last time i went there was like more than 10 years ago, I can't even remember exactly when!! haha~~

My recent post 2014.04.09 | 臭屁游戲
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
heard and seen so much about all the murals in Penang.. and yes, i do love them very much!! sad to say, we can't really find anything like this in KL huh?? why don't people in KL do the same i wonder..

My recent post 2014.04.07 | 面書的贊
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
and this steel rod sculpture is indeed very unique, and i love this, much more than those usual paintings!! and i am rather very impressed with the skills, i guess it's not easy to do this.. kudos to those who made these happen, it's BEAUTIFUL!!

My recent post 2014.04.09 | 臭屁游戲
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
Very informative post on the murals Panda. Love it! :D
My recent post Breakfast With Love, With F&N Seasons NutriSoy
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
The old buildings and street art are such an attraction to me. Thanks for the info on the steel rod sculptures.
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1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
Now besides hunting for yummy Penang food, I can hunt for yummy Penang men.....errr..... street art.
My recent post Que Delicioso With Christian Escribà and Patricia Schmidt - WW
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
That looks so cool. People usually put up photos of murals. But I think this one looks nicer. The comics are cute. Especially the first pic. :p
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1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
These are nice! I love the Mr Yeoh!

My recent post Movie: Rigor Mortis 《僵尸》 2013
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
love all the stories behind them! some are very funny hahah B)
My recent post It's Time
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
ohh that building doesn't look like a balai bomba eh :D
My recent post It's Time
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
me too..i prefer murals to steel sculptures! ^_^
My recent post It's Time
1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
Penang is certainly on the right track where keeping history alive is concerned. KL could definitely take a lesson from there. Very soon our history here in KL will be lost forever esp when they are renaming the roads wiping out the history of the place. Are we ashamed of our past..

Nice shots, Foong. Thanks for sharing.
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1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
This is really quite an interesting street art and definitely something I haven’t seen before. But while the cartoon-like steel sculptures are fun to look at, I personally much rather prefer the mural versions. They seemed to integrate much better into the surrounding.
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1 reply · active 592 weeks ago
<3 <3
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Nice also these steel rod sculptures, very interesting! <3
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1 reply · active 590 weeks ago
So how many days were u in Penang? And how come still no food pics? LOL! B)
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2 replies · active 590 weeks ago

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