Do you know which is the most beautiful and attractive old street in Ipoh?

The answer for the artists is Lorong Parlima (Mistresses Lane)!

Is there any old building in Ipoh that has been forgotten by the public? Is there any unforgettable memory that has been left behind by the scenery of the old street?

Keeping memory alive through paintings

Xu Shao Hui, a well-known local artist who is outstanding in drawing ancient buildings, has a strong interest in drawing old streets as well as old shophouses.

With his master skill, he has painted lots of painting that are worthy to be collected. He never misses any chance of travelling to Chinatowns in different countries with the purpose of sketching and painting the scenery there. In other words, he is tryingto retain the history with his paintbrush.

Xu has left his footprints in the old streets and shophouses as well as many paintings after those visits.

He has a special fondness to draw his inspirations from the ancient shophouses in Penang and Melaka with distinguishing features. He also loves the classical taste of Ipoh.

Xu has been travelling to Chinatowns in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and the United Kingdom to paint the sceneries there. All these paintings have become the favourites of painting fanciers.

Holding personal exhibitions

Xu has participated in a number of joint exhibitions in the past while this will be the first time his holds his own exhibition in Ipoh during the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Majority of his paintings are of the streets of Ipoh. Each object in his paintings looks familiar and cordial to the public, especially the residents of Ipoh.

64-year-old Xu comes from Penang and has been living in Ipoh for more than 20 years. He is an outstanding painter of ancient buildings and old streets.

Before he starts painting, he will first take a photograph of the object and sketch what he wishes to paint. He wil then use the watercolour for the painting to make it look more unique.

Retain cultural heritage through paintings

During an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Xu pointed out that he had a strong interest in ancient buildings and the old streets. Therefore he would always include them in his paintings and hoped he would able to retain the cultural heritage through his works.

"I have painted different styles of ancient buildings but I feel upset by the disappearance of these buildings. I can therefore cherish the memories of them only through my paintings."

In his eyes, the most beautiful street in Ipoh is Lorong Parlima ((Mistresses Lane) which still retains much of the classical aura when compared to other streets in Ipoh. (Translated by LIM LIY EE/Sin Chew Daily)