In 'Arca Samudera' at Galeri Puteh, Rafiee Ghani is presenting a new series of sculptures to accompany his abstract paintings done in the last three years. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
EXHIBITION: RAFIEE GHANI'S 'ARCA SAMUDRA'
Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Date: Jan 6-27
Galeri Puteh is opening the year with an eye-catching show from one of Malaysia's beloved painters, who is planning something different in 2024.
From the mind that has given us amazing abstract paintings, veteran artist Rafiee Ghani, 61, is now set to exhibit a series of sculptural works for the first time ever.
Having been in the art scene for 40 years, Rafiee does not believe in the “writers block”, taking up the challenge of working with wood in this new exhibition, which opens today with a launch event at 3pm.
For Arca Samudera, Rafiee brought his sculptures to life with wood choices such as Chengal, African Mahogany, Sentang Wood, Tamarind, Acasia and Merbau.
Preparation for this exhibition goes back to 2020, as the wood sourced from Kelantan were brought to his home studio in KL. Instead of brushes, Rafiee took various sawing and carving instruments to work, while also adding vibrant colours to the new creations.
As you stroll through the gallery space, you realise that the sculptures are 3D versions of his paintings. This offers Rafiee a whole new type of space to work with, as many of the sculptures have carvings both inside and outside. Visitors will be able to spend hours inspecting carving details of totem poles and other abstract designs. What makes Rafiee’s work truly unique is that it diverts from the wood carving art norm.
Free admission exhibition.
More info here.
Ikat 2.0 at The Godown features a pop-up heritage textile gallery, hands-on workshops, talks, a fashion show and immersive art. Photo: Handout
HERITAGE TEXTILE ART SHOWCASE: IKAT 2.0
Venue: The Godown Arts Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: Jan 7 and 8
This weekend, the masses can delve into the enchanting world of Malaysian heritage textiles through pop-up experiential hub IKAT 2.0 (Immersive Knowledge and Textile), which aims to conserve and revitalise the tradition.
The two-day event - featuring a heritage textile gallery, hands-on workshops by skilled artisans, talks and a fashion show - will take place at The Godown, starting today, from 10.30am to 10.30pm.
Every edition of IKAT 2.0 promises a distinctive theme tailored to the audiences of each state it visits. The first stop of the pop-up textile experiential hub in Kuala Lumpur spotlights the allure of Bornean artisanal textiles, focusing on the centuries-old tradition of Iban handwoven textile Pua Kumbu; pis embroidery of the Rungus tribe as well as the integral heritage and cultural expressions of Borneo’s indigenous communities, beaded art.
Besides workshops, talk sessions, and live demonstrations, there will also be a fashion showcase, with contemporary interpretations of heritage textile. More than 20 young designers are a part of a collaborative effort (with the Limkokwing University’s Faculty of Creative Arts and Lifestyle).
Admission to the IKAT 2.0 is free. It is also scheduled to tour Penang, Terengganu and Kuching in a year-long programme.
More info here.
Bookaholics Anonymous is opening its flagship store in Subang Jaya this Sunday. Photo: Bookaholics
BOOKSHOP OPENING: BOOKAHOLICS
Venue: Lot 2.16, 2nd floor, Aeon Big Subang Jaya
Date: Jan 7
A new independent bookshop opening is always something to celebrate. After two years of online presence as a secondhand bookstore with thousands of books in various genres offered at pocket-friendly prices, Bookaholics Anonymous is opening its flagship store in Subang Jaya this Sunday (at 10am).
With shelf capacity of over 20,000 books in-store, this would be the biggest self-service preloved bookstore in Malaysia.
The bookstore offers a wide variety of books from fiction, non-fiction, young adult to children’s books. There are also academic selections from pre-school to university, as well as business academic books.
For book lovers, you know the deal: there are lots of delightful surprises and gems that lay hidden in plain sight on the shelves. Just spend some time to explore and discover them.
More info here.
Transforming grief into art, Suzy Sulaiman's 'Home Is A Feeling, Not A Place' explores the emotional resonance of a dining table. This poignant piece, a collaboration with media artist Ally Rusdy, invites reflection on the implicit sentimental value objects gain in our lives. Photo: Filamen
NEW MEDIA EXHIBITION: 'IMMERSIO'
Venue: Muzium Telekom, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Jan 7
It's the last weekend to catch this foward-thinking exhibition series. Twenty new media artists have given Muzium Telekom a new dimension with digital artworks and interactive installations for the public to explore.
Scattered along three floors of Muzium Telekom, new media artists and collectives such as James Ly, Filamen, Suzy Sulaiman, Chong Yan Chuah, Unrealitykai x Izealist, Anwar Suhaimi, Roger Ng Wei Lun, Aw-kult, Duta Adipati and Haura Khalisha, and Ammar Hazman have been given the freedom to showcase their edgiest work.
A group of digital art newcomers from the Malaysia Multimedia University (MMU) and The One Academy have also been given a platform to showcase exciting student projects.
The digital art installations, with their intricate use of technology, also highlight the need for sustainability.
You’ll find some pieces are activated by motion sensors, while others can be activated directly by touch or other levers and buttons. A particularly cute piece - made by student outfit The Factory - is made out of recycled plastics which reacts to hugs, changes colour and shows a heartwarming message.
This art playground is the fifth edition of Immersio curated by digital arts collective Filamen and supported by Yayasan Telekom Malaysia (Yayasan TM), as the strategic partner through the Digital Technology Incubation Programme.
Admission for Immersio is RM15 (RM5 for children under 12).
More info here.
A new artwork from Nestwo which is part of the 'Tagging (Temu)' exhibition at Temu House in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Nestwo/Instagram
EXHIBITION: 'TAGGING (TEMU)'
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends Jan 14
This group show at Temu House in Petaling Jaya presents a loose line-up of artist friends and collaborators from the street art scene and beyond in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Penang, who have come together for a thought-provoking series.
The artists include Asmoe Roc, Bibichun, Drewfunk, Ernest Zacharevic, Katun, Kenji Chai, Louise Low, Nestwo, Red Hong Yi, Sheena Liam and Sliz.
"Tagging, a graffiti slang to get your art up in as many places as possible; to also mean putting your statement out there. With Tagging Temu, we see the artists exploring their self-expressions, social commentary, and artistic creations on what matters to them as we flip the final pages of the year’s calendar," reads the exhibition's notes.
The exhibition is free admission. Open on weekends, 10am-5pm.
More info here.
A visitor takes a photo of a sword exhibit at the 'A Journey Through Islamic Art' show at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM MALAYSIA’S 25th ANNIVERSARY
Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, KL
Date: June 30, 2024
Here's chance to explore Islamic art and culture, encompassing a historical and cultural journey of over 1,000 years from East Asia to West Africa, through two exhibitions held in conjunction with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) silver anniversary celebration.
The exhibitions, A Journey Through Islamic Art and Alif Lam Ra: Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy, taking place at IAMM until June next year, showcase a diverse array of historical artefacts and Islamic art.
Four royal swords from the Mughal Empire in India, dating from the 15th to the early 18th century, belonging respectively to Emperor Akbar, who reigned from 1556 to 1605, Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627), Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1666), and Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707), are among the exhibition highlights.
Also on display is the golden finial that once adorned the throne of Tipu Sultan, famously known as the Tiger of Mysore, from the Mysore Sultanate in Seringapatam, south India, during the 18th century. It is believed to have been seized by the British forces after Tipu Sultan’s defeat to the East India Company in the Anglo-Mysore War.
A set of 30 volumes of the Hui Quran from the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century is also one of IAMM’s early collections. They are adorned with Chinese motifs such as cloud patterns or peony flower buds and are written with only three to five lines on each page for each juz (part).
The Alif Lam Ra: Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy exhibition features the works of 42 contemporary Islamic calligraphers from various countries, including notable calligraphers such as Fuad Kouichi Honda from Japan, Azra Aghighi (Iran), Charles Hossein Zenderoudi (Iran), Ahmad Moustafa (Mesir), Nasser Al-Aswadi (Yaman), Nja Mahdoui (Tunisia) dan Khaled Al Saai (Syria).
More info here.
EXHIBITION: SYAHBANDI SAMAT'S ‘THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED’
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang Point, Selangor
Date: ends Jan 17
Take a dive into the surreal world of Kuching-born Syahbandi Samat, a contemporary artist whose primary tool is a simple ballpoint pen. Most of his artwork is done on canvas, with a strong use of black colours, given its accessibility, with a few installations in mixed media.
The Road Less Travelled is Syahbandi's fifth solo exhibition, and possibly the most comprehensive survey of his career to date, with 35 works.
At the exhibition, you’ll find a wide range of animals, deformed bodies and other dark mechanisms. The artist uses an average of six to eight pens for each piece, proving that the talent of the artist outweighs the type of medium.
Located alongside the Habib Heritage Jewellery Museum, this exhibition is presented and co-created by Artemis Art and Ivan Gabriel, offering a unique “playground space” for art lovers to enjoy.
Despite the novelty of the artists most favoured tool, what’s most striking about this exhibition is the different types of torture devices showcased in his works. Inspired by the contraptions of the SAW movie series, Syahbandi notes that the anxiety and claustrophobia makes his intense pieces a little uncomfortable to look at.
Free admission exhibition.
More info here.
