Portraying Penang: A Photographic Collection of Tan Yao Wei

The 2007-2008 account of an era's humanistic observations of a city's ideal fictions, with a keen vision, generous writing, and a love for the land, reflecting the state of mind of a scholar of literature and history.

Chen Yaowei, a restorer of historical buildings, has been roaming the streets of George Town for many years. His concern and dedication to Penang and even local history far surpass others. When he explains the local old buildings, he always recounts the stories and talks about them eloquently, and is known as the "Penang Land God".

"Portraits of Penang: A Photographic Collection by Tan Yao Wei" (ISBN: 9789671392188) compiles his astute observations and explorations of the city from 2007 to 2008, including his explorations of the struggles and transformations surrounding George Town's World Heritage inscription in 2008. These essays reflect the life experiences and concerns of architectural expert Yao Wei, who still focuses on heritage culture, but goes beyond it.

Preface 1 / Gao Jiaqian / Guarding the Land and Protecting the City: A Record of Chen Yaowei
During our day together, the simple folklore exuded by Yaowei seemed to embody the essence of this old colonial city of Penang, like the mellow and sweet aftertaste of aged tea. Professor Dulwich spoke to me about Yaowei many times after returning to Taiwan, and we both fondly remember that encounter and time together. Penang has since become a cherished memory, both because of its splendor and because of Chen Yaowei's presence there.

Preface 2 / Huang Yuduan / The Authentic Penang in His Eyes
Reading each of his articles, I find that Yao Wei masterfully captures the essence of Penang's diversity. His writing not only reveals his deep love for authentic Penang, but also his bitter condemnation of those who are destroying it.

Preface 3 / Du Zhongquan / Chen Yaowei, the God of Land
This series of illustrated columns is a collection of articles and pictures. People who are familiar with Yao Wei in real life can read the tone and expression of Yao Wei when talking to us between the lines, as if he was right in front of them; for people who are not so familiar with Yao Wei, just think of Yao Wei sitting in a cafe and chatting with you, talking about the historical and cultural issues that he cares about.

Heritage and Architecture

Great Auspiciousness • Lantern Red Hair House • Durian Chinese Road Sign Oolong
1957
Nong Ying Merdeka (Nicaragua)
The scene of felling trees and moving monuments to apply for World Heritage status: "Night • Dawn"
Closer to death, squeezed to death, I mourn my loss. Batu Antong, a national cultural heritage, a lost swallow's nest, a street legend (Part 1)
Market Tales (Part 2)
The tomb of the Kapitan of Sindh, the sacred tree and yellow flower heritage, the National Heritage Act, the discovery of the Hakka village earthen buildings, the Sanbao Mountain, a good thing shelved, the sudden success of the World Heritage application, the shophouse architecture, the sodomy, the auspicious "heritage"
Suspected Happy Palace facade

Celebrate Together

Indian temple fairs, hanging sacred garments for worship, Little India • Big Jesus, religious discussions about Maitreya Buddha, Maitreya - Kuberan, everyone is happy, national flag, ancient celebrations, Zhongyuan Festival, Eid al-Fitr, India's Nine Emperor Gods, Datuk Najian, Huahua Thaipusam, the God of Wealth, and the New Year's miscellaneous gatherings, inviting fire, Qingming Festival, Qingming performances, worshiping Buddha, gold-clad fluorescent Dashiye, Mengjiali

Postscript to Chen Yaowei's Chronological Chronicle