The Art Gallery, Penang was started by  Mrs. Tan Siau Bian and  Dato' Dr Tan Chee Khuan in September 1989.  The Art Gallery’s niche and focus was in the promotion and collection of pioneer artists of Malaysia, such as Yong Mun Sen, Kuo Ju Ping, Khaw Sia, Dato' Chuah Thean Teng  and Dato' Mohd Hoessein Enas. 

From inception right though 2001, in addition to introducing the works of pioneer artists, The Art Gallery was active in promoting many senior and contemporary Malaysian artists (including artists residing abroad) and hosting up to 12 exhibitions in a year.  The gallery was also responsible for establishing the artistic careers of many Penang-based artists. 

One of the main objectives of The Art Gallery was to create awareness and to educate the public on the arts. To this end, the gallery published more than 30 books on Malaysian arts and artists including Pioneers of Malaysian Art and 200 Malaysian Artists which have been used as reference books by art students and researchers.

The Art Gallery is perhaps one of the first few private galleries in the country to be involved in charity work apart from the usual art-related activities. Over the years, it has organised many successful fund-raising shows for numerous causes and institutions.

In its aim to ensure that some of Malaysia’s best artworks are housed in public collections, The Art Gallery is one of the very few commercial galleries (if not the only one) which has donated art works of established and pioneer Malaysian artists to the National Art Gallery, the Penang State Art Gallery (about 100 works) and Museum and the Tuanku Fauziah Museum & Art Gallery, Universiti Sains Malaysia (10 works). 

Unfortunately, Mrs. Tan Siau Bian was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2000. After being hospitalised for nearly a year in Singapore, she passed away peacefully on 6 November 2001. Our gallery was finally closed in August 2002, although it may viewed on an appointment basis.

In April 2009, we were approached by Amatir Resources Sdn Bhd, owner of Art Salon @ Seni to manage the gallery and, with this opportunity, we are now proud to be hosting exhibitions once again. To return to our charitable values, we decided to organise another charity art show in memory of Siau Bian. We decided to approach Badan Warisan Malaysia and they graciously consented to our proposal.

With this clarification in mind, it is evident that Badan Warisan Malaysia fulfils the goal of advancement and preservation of heritage for the benefit of the people of Malaysia and is therefore a worthwhile charity.

This exhibition features 47 paintings by 12 artists, all of whom exhibited at my gallery before.  The artists are Chong Hon Fatt, Foo Hong Tat, Khaw Sia, Kuo Ju Ping, Lee Joo For, Lee Long Looi, Ng Hon Loong, Peter Harris, Tan Choon Ghee, Tan Peng Hooi, Teh Siew Joo,and Zulkifli Yusoff.   We hope that all the paintings will go to good homes, where they will be appreciated for all time.

All proceeds from sales of artworks will be donated to Badan Warisan Malaysia (The Heritage of Malaysia Trust) and tax-exemptions receipts will be issued out to purchasers for this exhibition.