Hin Bus Depot
Originally built in 1947 in Art Deco style, Hin Company Ltd was one of the many private companies that operated Blue Buses on the Island post-World War II. To house and maintain their buses, the Hin Company built the bus depot along Brick Kiln Road (now known as Jalan Gurdwara). The depot had its heyday in the 1970s and was believed to be the most stylish bus depot in Penang, and remained so until its closure in 1999.
The Depot gained new life when Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, known for mural street art in Penang, sought a location for his first solo exhibition. He found inspiration in the abandoned Depot, where he launched "Art Is Rubbish Is Art" on 17 January 2014, showcasing art from discarded items. The original structures were retained, emphasising the exhibition's theme.
Under the leadership of arts advocate Tan Shih Thoe, the owner of Hin Bus, and the collective efforts of local artists, a permanent gallery was established along with a creative market. Hin Bus continues to evolve as a community-driven space for artistic expression, supporting and showcasing progressive artists and diverse art forms, transforming heritage and history into one of Penang’s largest accessible arts collective spaces.
