Mending broken hearts

The interior of the Breakup Gallery in Penang is designed as a healing space for people to share relationship stories and leave with an open heart. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

FEELING alone all over again after a bad breakup?

Fret not as the Breakup Gallery is here to help you mend your broken heart.

Located at 40, Jalan Sungai Ujong in George Town, the Breakup Gallery, which will be open to the public sometime this month, is a public space created for people to share their heartbreak stories.

Gallery founder Darren Ch’ng, 36, said she came up with the idea to start a breakup gallery after discussing with her friend, who is now the gallery’s chief marketing officer Luis Liew, 29.

“Breakups happen everywhere in the world and Malaysians are a bunch of emotional human beings.

“We hope to provide a space for the public to express and let go of their feelings especially after a breakup.

Ch’ng (right) and Liew are inspired by similar museums in Taiwan, Hong Kong and many parts of the world.

“There are such similar museums in Taiwan, Hong Kong and many parts of the world, ” she said in a recent interview at the gallery.

Ch’ng added that heartbroken guests could also donate their gifts from their ex-lovers to the gallery.

“There is a love discard area for people to leave their gifts given by ex-lovers.

“There are many quotes about love and relationships in the gallery.

“People who have been through this phase in life will be able to relate to them.

“I used to join the drama club when I was studying and they gave me many valuable insights and ideas to make the quotes more meaningful, ” she said.

Snapshots of phone messages are displayed in the gallery to offer a glimpse into conversations about love and breakups.

Meanwhile, Liew said the gallery would be a good place for people to reflect on their wrecked relationship and move on.

“Many people will be very sad and depressed after a breakup.

“They can use the gallery as a space to reflect on their relationships, look at other people’s love stories and hopefully leave here with an open heart.

“People can also leave messages and write down their feelings here, ” she said.

Liew said there was also a Facebook confession group for

people to share their frustrations and sob stories.

“They can also use our Facebook messenger (m.me/BreakupGalleryPenang) and we assure them their identities would not be exposed, ” she said.

The gallery will be open from 10.30am to 8.30pm daily.