A view of Farah Ashira's works 'Congakan' (top) and 'Cetakan' (bottom), which celebrate Malaysia's traditional games, at the 'Interwoven Realities' exhibition. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani
EXHIBITION: 'INTERWOVEN REALITIES'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends May 11
If you're still feeling the Raya spirit and craving an exploration of art closer to home, then look no further than this newly-opened exhibition at Harta Space, Habib 2. The group show, Interwoven Realities, offers a glimpse into the Malaysian experience across various walks of life.
Curated by Sarah Abu Bakar, the exhibition features 32 artists, including both established names like Nor Tijan Firdaus, Anniketyni Madian, and Nini Marini, as well as up-and-coming talents like Nurul Diyana, Jakob van Klang, and Danielle Lin.
With a collection of 70 diverse artworks, you'll encounter a range of styles and mediums. Saharuddin Supar's steel sculpture Bom Bunga, Ang Xia Yi's fusion of 1980s fabrics in Waiting For The Ice Cream Man, and Aliya Maisarah's digital installation piece Forgotten Traditions – a video projected onto two layers of white cloths – are just a few highlights.
Visitors can also look out for interesting culture-inspired works from artists such as Nurul Diyana, who incorporates batik cloth with bamboo, and Fazrin Abdul Rahman, who is presenting a work with aluminum geometric embroidery designs.
Before you wrap up your art-filled outing, don't forget to grab a coffee fix at the next-door cafe and swing by the Harta Heritage Jewellery Museum to round off your experience. Admission is free.
More info here.
CLASSICAL CONCERT: KIAN SOLTANI: SCHUMANN CELLO CONCERTO
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC
Date: April 20, 8.30pm
In a debut performance at DFP, the accomplished Austrian cellist Kian Soltani, once a prodigy, now revered, delivers Schumann’s Cello Concerto with an exquisite blend of elegance and depth.
The composition, rich with musical intricacies, showcases Soltani's mastery, painting vivid sonic landscapes with remarkable clarity. Following this, Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 takes centre stage, hailed by the composer himself as his boldest creation. Here, themes of profound beauty intertwine with moments of both grandeur and delicacy, creating a harmonious balance.
Under the baton of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra's Junichi Hirokami, the music is set to come alive with vivacity, woven together with dashes of vibrance and subtle humour, promising an immersive and unforgettable classical music experience for all.
More info here.
MEET THE AUTHOR: GARETH BROWN – 'THE BOOK OF DOORS'
Venue: Books Kinokuniya, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
Date: April 20, 2.30pm
Have you ever wondered what secrets lie behind unknown doors? In British author Gareth Brown’s debut novel, New York bookseller Cassie Andrews is gifted the Book Of Doors, a magical tome that bestows on its owner the ability to go anywhere they want through any door. However, Cassie and her friend Izzy soon realise that having the book in their possession puts them in harm’s way from those who seek the book’s powers for themselves.
The only person who can help them is a mysterious man named Drummond Fox – someone who is fleeing from his own demons and has a secret library of magical books that he has hidden away in the shadows for safekeeping.
Intrigued? Grab your own copy of the book and get it signed by the author himself at Suria KLCC's Books Kinokuniya this Saturday. Brown's The Book Of Doors has been named one of the BBC’s "Books to Look Out For" in 2024.
The book session will take at the Books Kinokuniya entrance near the magazine section.
More info here.
Nirmala's 'A Forlorn Escape From Despair, Denver Colorado' (2004). Photo: Handout
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.
A view of Octo Cornelius' show titled 'Siklus' at The Back Room gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Back Room
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.
