Poh Hock Seah
The Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple dates back to the early 19th century. It was established by the Peranakan (Straits-born) Hokkien community, making it a clan temple. The temple is dedicated to Twa Pek Kong, a Taoist deity of the Peranakan folk religion. Hock Teik Cheng Sin includes Poh Hock Seah, which was established in 1890 and occupies the entirety of the ground floor. The Temple was a base for the Kean Teik Tong secret society, which was involved in the 1867 Penang Riots.
This site is AR-activated by Koh Kai Ting and Aw Boon Xin, two mixed-media artists who bring to life the subtle distinctions of language and culture of the local Hokkien community.
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Artists' Statement:
Homophones of Prosperity explores the linguistic and cultural nuances of the Hokkien community in George Town within the transitional spaces of the historic Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple.
In Mandarin, the character 福 (fú), symbolising prosperity, sounds similar to 蝠 (fú), meaning bat, thereby associating bats with luck. Similarly, in Hokkien, 福 is pronounced "Hock," resembling 虎(hor), which translates to tiger.
The artwork responds to the core values of the Hokkien community, emphasising mutual assistance and diligence in labour to reap fruitful rewards. It serves as a way to celebrate tradition and foster deeper understanding and appreciation for Penang Hokkien heritage.
Kai Ting (b. 1996) is a socially engaged curator and artist. Drawing inspiration from natural history as a metaphor, she focuses on creating visual narrative to address socio-economic issues and challenge presumed societal orders. She has consistently worked with various communities to rewrite economic fiction premises around themes of desire, power structures and values. Her collaborative practice reflects a commitment to challenging conventions, prompting critical reflections on the intersections of art, society, and the human experience.
Aw Boon Xin (b. 1995) explores the intersection of personal experience, identity, and narrative through his art. Boon Xin works with different mediums including installation art, moving image, printmaking, and new media. His work also delves into the complex relationship between the human spirit, religion, and politics. In 2018, Boon Xin participated in thehe 6th Guizhou Printmaking Academic Exploration Exhibition at the Guizhou Art Museum. He also held a solo exhibition, "INSEEN," at the Guizhou University Gallery in 2019. In 2022, Boon Xin was shortlisted for the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award 2022 by HOM Art Trans. He recently completed a 3-month residency at Port Ipoh in 2023.
