Theatre of Ships, George Town Festival 2013

Theatre of Ships (1 June 2013)


The Theatre of Ships is an art installation by Indonesian artist Joko Dwi Avianto. It encases the Pusat Bayaran Setempat, the bill payment centre of the Penang Island City Council. It celebrates the role that theatres played in the history of performing arts in Penang. Before there was Internet and television, the main form of entertainment for the people was going to the theatre, to be entertained with live performances of Bangsawan and Chinese Opera.

Today theatres have receded from popularity, and famous theatres such as Sin Hee Tai at Penang's Drury Lane have to reinvent themselves to survive. Joko's art installation stands as a reminder of the glorious past of these theatres.

The Theatre of Ships structure is built of interlacing bamboo poles. From far, it looks like ships in a harbour, or wicker baskets. Joko, who developed the craft of structuring with bamboo since 200, is among a dwindling number of artists working on this medium. With its pointed tips, Theatre of Ships appears like a bamboo response to Sydney's Opera House or Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum.

George Town Festival's Theatre of Ships, a masterpiece in bamboo (1 June 2013)




Theatre of Ships was built over the MPPP canteen between the Town Hall and the City Hall. It will remain there for a period of six months.

Getting there

The nearest bus stop is along Light Street. You can take Rapid Penang bus CAT to get there. From Light Street, walk to Esplanade Road (Jalan Padang Kota Lama). You won't fail to notice the Theatre of Ships between the Town Hall and City Hall.


View Theatre of Ships in a larger map
Theatre of Ships (1 June 2013)


Like outstretched hands, the Theatre of Ships reaches up to the sky (1 June 2013)


Theatre of Ships (1 June 2013)

George Town Festival 2013