Kedah State Art Gallery

The Kedah State Art Gallery (Malay: Balai Seni Negeri Kedah) is an art gallery in Alor Setar, Kota Setar District, Kedah, Malaysia.

Kedah State Art Gallery
Balai Seni Negeri Kedah
General information
TypeArt gallery
LocationAlor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
Coordinates6°7′7.6″N 100°21′56.0″E
Completed1912
Opened1983
Design and construction
ArchitectMuhammad bin Lebai Thambi

History

The construction of the gallery building started on 21 January 1893 and finished in 1912 as the high court building and was officially opened by Kedah Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim of Kedah as the earliest modern government building in Alor Setar. By 1931, the high court had completed their relocation to a new building beside the Federal Building, the original building was repurposed to accommodate the Audit Department, State Treasury and British Advisory Office, and would later be used to house the Public Works Department and Sewerage and Drainage Department.[1] To mark the silver jubilee of Sultan Abdul Halim in 1983, the building was converted into an art gallery and was officiated and opened to the public by the Sultan on 25 July 1983.[2]

Architecture

Originally design by architect Muhammad bin Lebai Thambi of the Kedahan Public Works Department,[2] the building adopts an eclectic combination of neoclassical and Sino-Portuguese architectures, with strong Palladian motifs and colonnades from the former mixed with Baroque ornamentation and extensive use of arches from the latter; of note is the presence of the Kedahan shield in the ornamentation over every arch of the building.[3][1] The building is fronted by an open court comprising a public square and park.[1]

Exhibitions

The gallery displays various art works made by Kedah people, such as painting, wood carving and calligraphy.[2]

Transportation

The gallery is accessible within walking distance north west of Alor Setar railway station.

See also

References
  1. "Alor Setar Dahulu dan Sekarang - Vol II - Bangunan Lama" (in Malay). Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Kedah. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  2. "Balai Seni Negeri" (in Malay). Muzium Negeri Kedah Darul Aman. 2014. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  3. Mohd Yusof, Dato' Hj. Wan Shamsudin (2002). "Balai Seni" (in Malay). MyKedah.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
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