Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker



The signboard shop is currently owned by a veteran named Kok Ah Hwa who is one of the last remaining traditional signboard maker in Penang. The art of making this signboard is passed down from his father who originated from Guandong China. This craftsmanship is fading due to the rise of modern signages. However, Kok Ah Hwa is striving to continue this tradition. Thus, he is referred as 'Living Heritage Treasure' due to his effort in preserving this precious.

The making of signboard by using traditional method is pretty straight forward. But, you still need enough talent and experience before you can get high quality work. The steps of making this signboard are based on bellow instruction;


A piece of sandpapered softboard, cut to size and shape, is treated with a layer of glazing putty to smooth out the surface. When the glazing has dried, the characters to be carved are traced onto the board with carbon paper. This will provide an outline with which to work on.

After the characters have been carved, another layer of putty, and thinner, is applied. Finally, the board is painted in two colours, one for the background (usually black, but red and green are also used) and gold for the characters. Completion takes about three weeks.

source : http://www.penang-vacations.com/traditional-signboard-maker.html






















Exploration Map






On this map illustrates our exploration journey. We started at Prangin Mall. There were 14 stops;

1. Masjid Pintal Tali
2. Masjid Jamek Alimsah Waley
3. Ng Fook Thong Temple
4. Kuan Im Temple
5. Han Jiang Temple
6. Nagore Dargha Sheriff Shrine
7. Masjid Kapitan Keling
8. Yap Temple
9. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh
10. Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker
11. St. George's Church
12. Church of the Assumption
13. Masjid Jamek Benggali
14. Shree Krishna Temple










Second Visit. Searching for Icon



On second visit, there were only two of us, I and Sohwah. When we arrived in Georgetown, we still have not decided on what kind of icon we were looking for. We took tourist guide pamphlets available at Prangin Mall to look for inspirations. Thus, we decided to do research on religious landmarks such temples, mosques and churches around Georgetown. So, our icon is;

'Religious Landmarks of Georgetown'

This UNESCO World Heritage City is blended of different cultures from many races and religious backgrounds. Thus, there are many religious landmarks that can be found in Gorgetown. By using a map from a pamphlet, two of us started to search our first religious building. At first, we found a small mosque, Masjid Pintal Tali. We took pictures of it, but sadly we could not entered as the building was locked. We marked our location on map so that we could know where was the building located at.



Masjid Pintal Tali

The second building that we found was Masjid Jamek Alimsah Waley at Lebuh Chulia. There are graves next to the mosque. However, we did not get any information regarding the graves. Based on the information that we got, this mosque was founded by Indian Muslim which was also referred as Chulia.


Masjid Jamek Alimsah Waley

Graves next to the mosque

The first chinese temple we found was Ng Fook Thong Temple. Both of us are muslims. Therefore we know nothing much about chinese temple. Luckily there was an old man inside the temple to explain little bit about the temple. There are two sections inside the temple. The first section that we can enter from entrance is to be used as praying area. The second section located at the back is where many altars that content names of passed away people. According to that 'uncle', if people pay more money, the name can be placed on the bigger and most beautiful altar. Most of the names on that altar where from rich people. 

Ng Fook Thong Temple entrance

Praying area

Altars for deceased people

Front View

The next stop was Kuan Im Temple. Based on information that we know, this temple is the oldest chinse temple in Georgetown. The temple was founded on 1800 by early chinese settlers. Kuan Im Temple worked as mediation place to settle any disputes within chinese community in the past. Now, it become spiritual landmark that attract tourists from all over the world. Because of its strategic location at the heart of Georgetown, the atmosphere are quite busy with the present of many people.



Entrance door details

A praying woman

Interesting detail

Altars

Inside garden

Kuan Im Temple front view


Our next destination was Han Jiang Temple which was the only example of traditional Teochew architecture in Georgetown. Inside this temple, there are many information about the history of this temple. Han Jiang Temple had been restored to replace its old structure with new details. This temple probably is my most favorite chinese temple. I really love it because of the richness of detailings that decorate its structures.



Inside Han Jiang Temple 
Praying area

Detailings

Altars

Detailings


Near Han Jiang Temple there is a building named as Nagore Dargha Sheriff Shrine. It's not a mosque but it has spiritual significant especially to Indian Muslim. The shrine commemorates Syed Shahul Hamid a muslim saint from Nagore, South India. We were allowed to entered and the opportunities to take pictures inside the shrine.


The shrine from outside

detail

Inside the Shrine


Our next target was Masjid Kapitan Keling which was the oldest mosque in Georgetown. Its history can be traced back to 1801 when it's first established. The mosque is also the largest mosque in Georgetown. It's established by Indian Muslim. Therefore it's architecture depicts its Mughal-styled of architecture.



Front View

Prayer hall

The dome 
Exterior

Yap Temple were the last chinese temple we visited. This temple has very interesting granite columns which decorated with carvings. Compared to other temples we have visited, this temple is much smaller.


Outside View

Interior

Another part of building


The next mosque was Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh. Unlike other mosques in Georgetown which were mostly established by Indian Muslim, this mosque were opened by Achenese prince from Sumatra. Thus, the architecture ae based on South East Asian styled of archiecture with tiered-roof.


The Entrance

Exterior

Mausoleum 
Main door



Our first church, St George's Church which was the oldest Anglican Church in South East Asia. It has Fancis Light memorial in its grounds. Unfortunately we did not have the chance to enter the church to explore its interior



Side view


Closed up

Far view


Our next destination was Church of the Assumption which was the first Catholic Church in Georgetown. Unfortunately we could only take the pictures of its exterior as we could not entered the church


Outside details

Side view

Front view

The last mosque we visited, Masjid Jamek Benggali which was opened by Benggali immigrants.


Entrance

Front view


Before we went back to USM, we managed to take pictures of a Hindu temple, Shree Krishna Temple but we only viewed it from outside without entering it..

The only Hindu Temple we have









First Trip, Exploring Georgetown



On 01/03/2016, we began our exploration trip in searching for  Georgetown's icon. All students were gathered at Padang Kawad before taking buses to reach Georgetown. After we arrived at the destination, all student were gathered again to listen the project briefs given by the lectures before we started our exploration.

There were three projects assigned to the students.

1. Cultural Mapping by Dr. Nurul - searching for Georgetown's icon

2. Food Hunting by Mr. Goh - searching for local food delicacies

3. Signage by Prof. Rahman - researching signage around Georgetown



Project brief by Dr. Nurul


After all the brief were explained, together with my partner, Sohwah and friends started to walk together to search for all information that we needed for our assignments. At first, we did not really have a plan of  which location we need to get there first. In addition, I and Sohwah have not decided on our topic yet about Georgetown's icon. Thus, we walked around the heart of Georgetown randomly. We took pictures of every signage that we found and at the same time we were also searching for inspiration to be made as our Georgetown's icon.


Walking together with my partner, Sohwah and friends


By observing the surroundings, we were interested with the beauty of ceramic tiles which decorated the buildings around Georgetown. These ceramic tiles can be found commonly on building walls and pavements of the buildings. They are in form of variety of patterns which are mostly geometrical and floral. 


Ceramic tiles on wall

Floral pattern

Geometrical pattern


However, we were informed that there was a group which already choose the same topic, ceramic tiles. Therefore, we decided to have a backup idea because we tried to avoid choosing the same topic as other group did. Thus, we took pictures of windows and doors of buildings as our backup topic.






At the same time, we were also taking pictures of signage that we found around Georgetown area. The task is to investigate and do some research on how these signages work with their surrounding area. Are the signages effectively depict their information to the public and how these signages work on heritage buildings? These are some question that we need to figure them out.






Some of signages that we found


We had limited time to explore Georgetown. The lecturers already told us that we need to gather at China House before going back to USM. Before we walked to China House, we had launch at Restoran Kapitan. 

There were many places that we have not covered yet due to time restraint. Thus, we planned to have a second visit to accomplish all the task given.