A close-up detail of Budi Agung Kuswara's (aka Kabul) 'Warisan Rahasia di Hutan Kolonial' (from the 'Tiba Anak Cucu' series, 2024). Photo: The Back Room
Indonesian artist Budi Agung Kuswara, better known to friends as “Kabul”, presents his latest exhibition, Tiba Anak Cucu (The Descendants Emerge) at The Back Room this month, in collaboration with Mizuma Gallery (Singapore).
Today, there will be an artist talk at the Malaysian Design Archive (3pm) and an opening reception at The Back Room (5pm), both venues located in the Zhongshan building.
At the heart of Kabul's work is the cyanotype, a technique where sunlight exposure transforms photo negatives into distinct blue and white images. It is a technique with a deep sensitivity towards the movements of the sun, articulating a relationship with time, memory, and the past.
In his previous series, Anonymous Ancestors, Kabul explored colonial archives to depict unnamed Balinese women, imagining them in European attire to reclaim their agency. In Tiba Anak Cucu, he extends this vision to create a genealogy for these women, embracing excess and extravagance to reimagine their descendants as wealthy tycoons reclaiming prosperity. The result blends traditional Balinese aesthetics with lavish elements, creating fantastical legacies that leap from the canvas with unapologetic flourish.
Through his cyanotypes, Kabul invites us to see the sun not just as a source of light, but as a bridge connecting past and present, a storyteller of untold histories and imagined futures.
More info here.
If you love independent films that tackle social and human rights issues, don’t miss the Freedom Film Fest 2024 (FFF2024), returning for its 20th edition at PJ Live Arts, from Aug 3-24. The festival features a compelling line-up of award-winning and thought-provoking films.
This year's FFF will showcase over 45 films, ranging from shorts to feature-length pieces, all exploring the theme "Why Freedom?" The festival highlights the importance of freedom in a world still plagued by conflict, genocide, and rights violations both globally and locally.
This year’s festival opens with a retrospective of films supported by FFF Film Grants since 2003, under themes like Power & Accountability, Struggle for a More Equitable Life, and Histories of Resistance. Highlights include Marcus Vetter’s War And Justice, with co-director Michele Gentile attending for a discussion, and Yousef Srouji’s Three Promises, followed by a talk on international solidarity against war and genocide, including readings from Displaced in Gaza.
Catch the Malaysian FFF2023 film grant winners Joshua Inberaj Dewet and Laura Low's Nothing Gentle In The Shadows, exploring the stigma around sexual violence against men, and Singaporean grantee Megan Wonowidjoyo's Home Sweet Home, examining her complex relationship with her mother, during the festival's opening weekend.
More info here.
Having settled into its new home at GMBB, Gangsapura's ensemble of traditional musicians offers an immersive experience, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the evocative sounds of the gamelan in the dark.
Under the artistic direction of award-winning composer Teuku Umar Ilany, this 45-minute Gong In The Dark (ticketed) showcase this weekend features eight carefully curated songs, showcasing the group's mastery of the gamelan ensemble.
From rhythmic compositions to melodic intricacies, Gangsapura promises a journey through Malaysia's rich cultural tapestry, reinterpreted through modern sensibilities. This performance provides a unique opportunity to witness the fusion of tradition and innovation in a captivating atmosphere.
More info here.
US author Elizabeth Lim will be in town to discuss her new book Her Radiant Curse with fans at Kinokuniya KLCC (Aug 3, noon) and Tsutaya Bukit Jalil (Aug 5, 11am).
In this standalone spin-off set in the world of Six Crimson Cranes, she weaves a thrilling, yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
Her Radiant Curse follows Channi, who is cursed with a serpent’s face, and her sister Vanna, whose beauty makes her a target for a suitor with dark intentions.
However, Channi’s interference launches a grisly battle that leads to a choice that strains her heart to its breaking point.
Lim, who has a Malaysian father, spent many holidays in South-East Asia while growing up. She says that the new book's setting is inspired by the region and its melting pot of cultures.
"I was excited to delve into this part of my heritage while creating Channi’s world," she says.
More info here.
A view of Ping's sculpture 'Self-doubt' and oil painting 'That Which You Seek' in the 'Dog Days' exhibition at Harta Space. Photo: Handout
Exploring the intricate relationship between humans and dogs, this new exhibition at Harta Space delves into the perception of the "black dog," a symbol of bad luck in many cultures.
Dog Days marks the first solo exhibition for KL-based sculpture artist Ping. While many artists focus on introspective themes in their debuts, Ping includes her dog, Ampersand, as an extension of herself.
During the pandemic, the 29-year-old artist spent much of her time sketching Ampersand at home, using her as the only available model to practice with. This continuous observation of her dog's behavior prompted Ping to explore both human and canine social norms.
The exhibition fills Harta Space with graphite sculptures of various dog breeds, inviting visitors to analyse and admire he dynamics between humans and dogs while challenging cultural superstitions and perceptions. Admission is free.
More info here.
A gallery view of the 'Not Just In Back And White' exhibition at the GDP Campus in KL, featuring 76 large scale works from the Steve Wong Art Collection. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
In Kuala Lumpur, art collectors are increasingly influential in shaping exhibitions, reflecting their personal tastes and curatorial visions. The Not Just In Black And White exhibition is a prime example, showcasing contemporary Malaysian and Southeast Asian artwork from the Steve Wong collection.
This free exhibition at the new GDP Campus features 76 large-scale artworks across two floors, highlighting Wong's preference for impactful, provocative, political, and reflective pieces. Curated by Beverly Yong (Rogue Art), the diverse collection spans over 30 years, weaving a rich narrative of Malaysia's evolving art landscape with regional flavors.
The exhibition features works from prominent artists such as Wong Hoy Cheong, Yee I-Lann, Saiful Razman, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Latiff Mohidin, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Chong Siew Ying, Kide Baharudin, Chang Yoong Chia, Justin Lim, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Hasanul Isyraf Idris, Samsudin Wahab, Zelin Seah, Yeoh Choo Kuan, Pangrok Sulap, Yim Yen Sum, Zac Lee, and others, ensuring a captivating experience for visitors.
Exhibition is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
More info here.
