"Shorn Hair" Sculpture, Sungai Ujong Road

Shorn Hair Sculpture, Sungai Ujong Road (11 May 2013)


The "Shorn Hair" Sculpture (GPS: 5.41563, 100.33158) is a steel-rod sculpture on a wall along Sungai Ujong Road in George Town, Penang. It shows two barbers at work on either banks of then Prangin Canal. They threw locks of cut hair into the canal, to the bewilderment of the boatman passing through.

The "Shorn Hair" sculpture celebrates the Prangin Canal, which is today covered. In the past, the open canal was a transportation hub of sorts, whre produce was brought in and out of town, and barbers line up along the canal to ply their trade. A young Yeap Chor Ee had his start in Penang as a barber here. The sculpture is based on the caricature of cartoonist Tang Mun Kian, and is one of those in the final installation of Marking George Town.

Getting there

The "Shorn Hair" Sculpture is at the junction of Sungai Ujong Road and Prangin Road. It is possible to walk to it from the Komtar Bus Terminal. Take Jalan Ria until Prangin Road. On the other side of Prangin Road is Sungai Ujong Road. You will see the sculpture on your left.

List of Steel-Rod Sculptures by Tang Mun Kian, Marking George Town Sculptures and Penang Street Art