Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif (left) and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa (second, left) visiting the Indian Ocean Triennial Australia (IOTA 24) exhibition at The Toffee building in Kuala Lumpur on Sep 12. Photo: The Star/Raja Faisal Hishan
The Kuala Lumpur companion show for the Indian Ocean Triennial Australia (IOTA) 2024 at The Toffee, titled Language of Craft In Contemporary Art, South-East Asia, is a bonus for art enthusiasts who can't make it to the festival's venues across Western Australia.
This year’s IOTA, with its theme "Codes In Parallel", is an investigation of various languages codified in contemporary craft. The KL showcase, supported by Cult Gallery, presents a solid line-up of internationally acclaimed Malaysian artists and their South-East Asian peers who use craft language in their practice, offering a rich and diverse artistic exploration in the region that reflects craft traditions in their culture and revealing different ways they respond to the techniques and philosophies or indirect influences of their countries' artisans.
Contemporary works will be displayed alongside works of selected master artisans to highlight the intersectionality of craft and contemporary art. On display are works from Malaysian artists Anniketyni Madian, Chang Yoong Chia, Marcos Kueh, and Zulkifli Lee, as well as Sabahan art collective Pangrok Sulap. Regional artists from Indonesia and Thailand are also included, including Mulyana, A. Sebastianus, Meta Enjelita, and Jarupatcha Achavasmit.
Public programming throughout the exhibition period will focus on the intersectionality between craft and contemporary art in South-East Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Free admission exhibition (registration required). Open: 10am-8.30pm.
More info here.
Take a trip to the "moon" this Malaysia Day weekend. This Bahasa Malaysia series, written by Yusof Bakar and directed by Christopher Ling, offers a rare dose of sci-fi drama for the local stage.
The trilogy – Orang Bulan, Penakluk Bulan, and Pemusnah Bulan – centres around "Bulan Corporation", a business conglomerate that has expanded to the Moon and Mars. As it reaches deeper into the galaxies, its citizens face the same issues that doomed Earth: greed, corruption, and exploitation.
The trilogy at KLPac's experimental space Indicine unfolds across different timelines, with actors Nik Waheeda, Hazzy Alzeeq, and Sunio Rushairi taking on various roles within Bulan Corporation, while Aidil Rosli lends his voice to an important off-stage character.
From the struggles of a moon miner supporting his mother, to the ambitious father whose achievements left his daughter isolated and resentful, the play's characters reveal the harsh realities of space exploration, where the lives of the elite always eclipse those of the workers.
More info here.
A view of the 'Pesan Dan Kenangan' exhibition at Harta Space in Ampang, Selangor. Photo: Harta Space
Harta Space is hosting a special event today that pays tribute to the nation’s vibrant cultural heritage. The celebration will feature traditional Malaysian games and activities, offering a nostalgic nod to the diverse traditions and artistry that form the backbone of our national identity.
Visitors can look forward to hands-on activities like batik and labu sayong painting, as well as traditional games such as congkak and batu seremban.
This weekend also marks the final chance to catch Pesan Dan Kenangan, an exhibition showcasing the collection of renowned art collector Pakharudin Sulaiman. The exhibition, curated by Yap Sau Bin, reflects on two themes: "Kenangan" – honouring meaningful ideas, values, and people, and "Pesan" – a reminder to aspire toward a better, more mindful future.
The exhibition features 48 artworks by 22 artists, including Wong Hoy Cheong, Nor Azizan Paiman, Mad Anuar Ismail, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Redza Piyadasa, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Gan Chin Lee, J. Anu, Haris Abadi, Ismail Hashim, and others.
A special tribute is also dedicated to the late artist Roslisham Ismail (Ise), highlighting the importance of friendships and the support within the art community.
Admission is free.
More info here.
A new mix media work by Louise Low titled 'Urban Paradox: The Circus Of Modern Life' (2024). Photo: Fergana Art
The Nyata exhibition, spanning two shoplots, brings together 15 artists and three photographers. Each offering a unique perspective on the theme "Being Conversational." This concept invites viewers to explore how art can engage, provoke, and foster dialogue across cultures and experiences.
With a wide range of mediums, including installation art, sculptures, paintings, photography, mixed media, and more, Nyata showcases the fluidity and versatility of contemporary Malaysian art.
Artists such as Haslin Ismail, Shafiq Mohd Nor, Edroger Rosili, and Haris Abadi merge their distinct styles and narratives, crafting a space that invites meaningful conversation. Alongside them, artists such as Husin Othman, Faizal Suhif, Arikwibowo Amril, Louise Low, Rizal Salleh, and Azneal Ishak further push the boundaries of their respective mediums, offering viewers a gallery experience that is both visually and intellectually stimulating.
More info here.
Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery is showing the 'Batik: A Glimpse Into The Lines (Batik: Melirik Larik)' exhibition, featuring 81 batik paintings from its collection. Photo: The Star/Chan Tak Kong
Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG), one of KL's major art spaces, is showing Batik: A Glimpse Into The Lines (Batik: Melirik Larik), an exhibition showcasing the cultural richness of batik painting. As a show to tap into the Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day season, the exhibit features 81 batik paintings from BNM’s collection, some dating back to the 1960s.
While batik is traditionally viewed as a textile art, this exhibition reimagines it as fine art, capturing Malaysian life and culture. The exhibit highlights the works of renowned artists like Chuah Thean Teng, Khalil Ibrahim, Lee Kian Seng, Fatimah Chik, Zaleha Zainuddin and Tay Mo Leong, and is divided into four thematic sections that range from narrative to abstract expressions.
Batik: A Glimpse Into The Lines not only highlights the artistic prowess of Malaysia's batik artists but also serves as a reminder of the cultural and historical significance of batik in the Malaysian narrative. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the intersection of tradition and modernity, as each piece tells a unique story woven into the fabric of Malaysia's artistic legacy.
More info here.
Veteran printmaking artist Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim seen at his 'Engraving Life' exhibition at Chetak 17 gallery. Photo: The Star/Shaari Chemat
The Engraving Life exhibition, which has been extended by Chetak 17, is a mini survey of veteran printmaker Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim's (fondly known to many as Pak Chot) works from the past decade.
The exhibition features 38 prints made from Abdul Mansoor's intricately detailed wood engravings and comprises three distinct sections: "Life", "Frame of Nature" and "Eyes of the World", with subjects ranging from a close-up look at insects, reptiles and crustaceans to a broader perspective on current issues both local and global, such as the disappearance of MH370 and the emergence of Bitcoin.
His works encourage viewers to look between the lines of each work – his selection of subject matter, as well as the titles he chooses for his pieces, often serve as a thought-provoking social commentary, offering insights into his observations of human behaviour. Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday (11am-6pm).
More info here.
