ChinaHouse, Penang – part 1

While we were wandering around in Georgetown, this pink tank attracted our attention. It was sitting outside a gallery called “179 – The Place” which sells a range of artwork, from painting to textile, and antiques as well as modern artisan-made furniture.

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We talked to the gallery person for a while as IT was really interested in some funky chairs and an antique wooden box for carrying business paperwork.

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The gallery is one long, narrow space lined with furniture and artwork. None had price tags.

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He told us that the gallery belongs to a complex of shops, restaurants and bars, and is owned by an Australian lady.

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We looked her up – Narelle McMurtie, who started with the authentic Malay style Bon Ton Resort 20 years ago in Langkawi, and now owns also the Temple Tree Resort.

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The style of this painting on wood panel resembles those of the famous street art around Penang. See earlier posts about street art in Georgetown here.

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Apparently, some profits of the businesses are directed to support the Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation –  LASSie, a passion of the owner.

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The gallery is part of the complex – ChinaHouse – which has its entrance two doors down the same street. The bar is called Canteen. The entrance is 25 feet wide, typical of the traditional shophouses of Penang.

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There was a live band practicing for the evening’s performance. It was 2014 New Year Eve and they were preparing for an event.

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The bar was empty as it was in the middle of the afternoon but we could imagine the place filling up with people.

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A door at the back leads to the next area of the ChinaHouse – an open courtyard and burger bar.

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Here is a plan of the ChinaHouse cut from their web site.

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A photo walkthrough of this complex to be continued in our next post.

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