Some 23 artists of various ages each chose to paint a picture of the heritage house located on Lorong Burma. Among them was Owen Ow, 60, who said he frequently visited the house and today marked his last time creating an artwork on the residence.

Ow, a person with disabilities owing to a leg impairment, said the two-storey structure had its own unique features and sentimental value. The view of the house, he added, was never dull as it was adorned with various flowering plants and featured Siamese heritage designs.

“I always come here to paint. This is the last opportunity before the house is completely vacated … it’s truly a shame, but that’s the reality of development,” he told the media at the site.

The Siamese Village, established over 200 years ago, is the only heritage settlement of this minority community in Penang. Sadly, this heritage village is expected to disappear after developers transform it into a commercial area.

Ten houses in the area have already been demolished to make way for the developer to proceed with the project.

As of today, only two houses, including this Siamese heritage house, remain in the area, and the owners were issued notices by the developer to vacate their homes by yesterday.

‘A price to be paid’

Another artist, Koay Sheng Tat, 42, said this was his first time painting the heritage house before it was demolished, and he did not want to miss the chance to capture that memory on canvas.

He said for the art community, the loss of such historical homes is deeply felt because the house holds significant memories for the owners and the local community, including artists who enjoy preserving images of heritage homes.

“It’s sad to see this old building being demolished, and as a native of Penang, there’s a sense of sorrow because it is part of our history. But for urban development, some things have to be sacrificed. If we want the city to be more modern and beautiful, there’s a price to be paid.”

Meanwhile, the second-generation heir of the house, Nai Ninn Sararaksh, 85, said the house had functioned as a community museum for the past five-odd years, and his family had made various efforts to save the building.

“It’s not just a house, it’s also part of the identity and history of the local Siamese community. Why demolish history that has existed for nearly two centuries just to build another commercial building? Let this house be preserved as a heritage site so that people can learn about our culture and history,” he said.

His son, Nai Boon Phrom Sararaksh, 49, said he and his family are appealing to the state government to intervene and save the house from being destroyed.

He said the house had been occupied by his family for five generations and served as tangible proof of the Siamese community’s presence in the area.