The monochromatic world of photographer Nirmala awaits viewers in her latest solo exhibition 'Past Lives & Distant Voices'. The work featured is titled 'You Left Me Unmoored'. Photo: Nirmala Karuppiah
PHOTOGRAPHY: NIRMALA KARUPPIAH'S 'PAST LIVES & DISTANT VOICES'
Venue: Kamaria Gallery, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends April 30
At the Kamaria Gallery this month, visitors can step into the monochromatic world of photographer Nirmala Karuppiah as she presents her 10th solo exhibition, a mesmerising journey through the timeless allure of black and white landscapes.
Past Lives & Distant Voices, curated by Foo Chiwei, features 20 works, some dating as far back as 1996.
With a keen eye for detail and an unparalleled understanding of light and composition, Nirmala invites viewers to immerse themselves in the stark beauty of nature and urban settings captured through her lens.
Each photograph – shot in places such as Melaka, Terengganu, China, and a handful of US cities – tells a story, evoking emotions ranging from tranquility to awe as she skillfully portrays the delicate balance between light and shadow, showcasing the raw and unfiltered essence of the natural world. From rugged mountain peaks to serene kampung coastlines, Nirmala's imagery invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the profound beauty that surrounds us.
Viewing by appointment. Call 019-333-1092.
More info here.
The 'Bansan' board game sees players assuming the role of vendors to deal with wholesalers and customers, buy ingredients to cook Malaysian delicacies and manage wastes to optimise income. Photo: Handout
BOOKSHOP EVENT: 'BANSAN' GAMEPLAY SESSION
Venue: Sunda Shelves, Petaling Jaya
Date: April 14
Bookshop Sunda Shelves is rolling out the Bansan gameplay session this Sunday, taking visitors on a "wet market" tour inspired by old school markets in George Town. Whether you're a seasoned board game aficionado or seeking a lively weekend activity with the family, dive into the chaotic yet thrilling world of a pasar vendor with the Bansan game.
Led by the game's designer herself, Goh Choon Ean from LUMA & Arts-ED, immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of a Malaysian wet market. Suitable for players aged 10 and above, the gameplay lasts between 30 to 50 minutes. There will be two sessions, each with two tables accommodating four players each: slot 1 from 2pm-4pm and slot 2 from 4.30pm-6.30pm.
Secure your preferred slot upon registration. With only 16 spots available on a first-pay-first-confirmed basis, act fast! Registration fee is RM10 per person, inclusive of an RM10 voucher and an F&B discount voucher upon event arrival.
More info here.
JAPAN ANIME EXHIBITION
Venue: Seibu, The Exchange, TRX, KL
Date: ends May 2
Anime enthusiasts with a penchant for collecting can unearth prized artworks at the Japan Anime Exhibition hosted at Seibu, The Exchange, TRX in Kuala Lumpur.
This exhibition features a display of animation cells, replica manuscripts, and illustrations sourced from beloved manga series such as One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto, among an array of others.
Moreover, attendees can peruse and purchase an eclectic range of merchandise, spanning from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure posters to Studio Ghibli calendars.
For aficionados seeking rarities, the exhibition offers a treasure trove, including key animation frames from the early drafts of esteemed anime filmmakers and manga maestros like Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka. Also available are collectibles such as Books Cut Art featuring the iconic mechas from Neon Genesis Evangelion, ensuring a delightful immersion into the world of anime memorabilia.
More info here.
Hana Tan's artwork titled 'Arabella' (acrylic on linen, 2024). Photo: Rissim Contemporary
EXHIBITION: HANA TAN AND ONG PEI YEE'S 'TWO TALES'
Venue: Rissim Contemporary, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends May 4
Two Tales is an exhibition featuring the works of Hana Tan and Ong Pei Yee, both art graduates from Universiti Sains Malaysia. In the exhibition, the young artists present an evocative exploration of childhood memories, identity and cultural hybridity.
Through Ong's series of paintings, she seeks to capture the essence of childhood innocence and wonder, as she deliberately paints close-ups of hands and isolated chairs against a vague backdrop, much like how nostalgia is often surreal and fragmented.
Tan's series centres on the liminal space of cultural hybridity and identity. Drawing from a background as a former dancer, Tan's paintings explore traditional movement in contemporary domestic environments. Inspired by her transition from Beaufort, Sabah to Kuala Lumpur, Tan challenges stereotypes surrounding female identity.
Exhibition is open Friday to Sunday, 12pm-7pm.
More info here.
EXHIBITION: OCTO CORNELIUS' 'SIKLUS'
Venue: The Back Room, Zhongshan building, KL
Date: ends April 28
The Backroom KL is exhibiting Indonesian artist/sculptor Octo Cornelius' first solo show - titled Siklus - in Kuala Lumpur.
Hailing from Yogyakarta, Octo infuses his work with a delightful whimsy that echoes the essence of folklore and fairytales. His wood creations evoke a sense of wonder, drawing inspiration from objects and spaces that resonate with stories untold.
Octo's artistic vision is rooted in the belief that even the most overlooked materials, be it wood, stone, or metal, contain fascinating narratives and untapped potential. Each piece he crafts serves as a testament to this philosophy, breathing new life into forgotten elements of the world around us.
For Malaysian art enthusiasts keen on checking out Octo's works, there's no need to search far and wide. Just head to the Siklus exhibition at The Backroom KL this month. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm-6pm. Free admission.
More info here.
A view of the 'Titik Garis Bentuk' group exhibition, now showing at Ilham Gallery's main Level 5 space. Photo: The Star/Shaari Chemat
EXHIBITION: 'TITIK GARIS BENTUK: DRAWING AS PRACTICE'
Venue: Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends July 28
Titik Garis Bentuk, a group exhibition, invites art lovers back to Ilham Gallery's main Level 5 space to delve into the evolving role of drawing in contemporary Malaysian art, highlighting its significance as a standalone artistic medium.
Featuring pieces by 27 artists, the exhibition explores how boundaries between drawing and other art forms such as installation, animation, and performance are being blurred, redefining traditional notions of the medium. The line-up includes artists such as Jalaini Abu Hassan, Wong Hoy Cheong, Haslin Ismail, CC Kua, Chang Yoong Chia, chi too, Novia Shin, Paul Nickson Atia, Faizal Suhif, Hasanul Isyraf Idris, Chang Fee Ming, Engku Iman and Agnes Lau.
With a diverse array of works spanning figuration, landscape, architectural drawing, and minimalism, artists push the limits of conventional drawing techniques through innovative use of materials and methods.
From life-size charcoal figures to expansive landscapes, and from immediate, meditative sketches to intricate installations, Titik Garis Bentuk showcases the myriad ways in which artists are approaching drawing in contemporary practice.
More info here.
The 'Creative Coupling' exhibition features the artistic couples (from left) Silas Oo-Kimberley Boudville, Amat-Binti, and Joanne Loo-Esmond Sit. Photo: Temu House
EXHIBITION: 'CREATIVE COUPLING'
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: runs till 21 April
They say it takes two to tango! Here is an exhibition delving into the intricacies of individual and couple creativity. This showcase at Temu House is exploring the dynamics of three artist couples: Amat-Binti, Esmond Sit-Joanne Loo, and Kimberley Boudville-Silas Oo, who are all presenting their collaborative artworks.
Through their relationships, they navigate the inevitable ebb and flow of emotional highs and lows, experiencing both moments of exhilaration and the routine of everyday life.
Operating under the moniker Mati, Amat,and Binti are showing a collection of film photography suffused with poetic essence in their series titled Andtologi.
Sit and Loo, on the contrary, unveil papier-mache and clay installations that intricately narrate their artistic and romantic voyage, marking their inaugural collaboration for this endeavor.
Meanwhile, Boudville and Oo present a diverse array of framed portraits, pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums such as oil, paint, and ink, intertwining them with unconventional elements like fur and steel.
More info here.
