Textile artist Marcos Kueh stands alongside his intricate creations from the 'Kenyalang Circus' exhibition, now showing at the National Art Gallery in KL. The works reflect his use of recycled polyester plastic, blending traditional weaving techniques with contemporary narratives inspired by his Sarawakian heritage. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: MARCOS KUEH'S 'KENYALANG CIRCUS'
Venue: National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 31, 2025
At the National Art Gallery, Malaysian artist Marcos Kueh, now based in the Netherlands, has unveiled his celebrated Kenyalang Circus exhibition. This textile art installation series took centre stage as one of the five highlights in the "Platform" programme of ART SG in Singapore earlier this year.
This "homecoming" show is Kueh's biggest to date in Kuala Lumpur. Through his innovative approach, the 29-year old textile artist breathes new life into discarded polyester plastic, transforming it into striking textiles that weave together tradition and sustainability. Kenyalang Circus exhibition combines fluorescent threads with cultural narratives, drawing inspiration from his Sarawakian roots, street advertisements, and multinational brand logos.
“Growing up, I was surrounded by plastics and stories of how they ended up in Malaysia. This project transforms that waste into beauty,” said Kueh at the media preview in Kuala Lumpur.
Recycled plastics, processed into yarns in Europe, are woven into his sustainable textiles. The project began in 2016 as a graphic design collage during his studies and evolved into a textile venture after he learned weaving in the Netherlands. Kueh’s work also explores post-colonial narratives, blending traditional Sarawak weaving with modern storytelling to preserve tales for future generations.
Kenyalang Circus runs at the ninth Single exhibition at the National Art Gallery until next March. Free admission.
More info here.
'Through The Window' will be launched at Bookxcess, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Petaling Jaya on Dec 7 at 11am. Photo: Handout
BOOK EVENT: 'THROUGH THE WINDOW' LAUNCH
Venue: Bookxcess, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Petaling Jaya
Date: Dec 7
The world is filled with windows - in our homes, schools, and buildings. More than just frames for a view, they offer fresh perspectives on the world outside. This idea lies at the heart of Through The Window: A Young Writers' Anthology.
The anthology captures stories of people confined at home, yearning for better lives, or reaching out to connect with others. Within its pages, you'll find tales of health struggles, loneliness, family conflicts, and even a gripping murder mystery. Yet, at their core, these stories are about resilience - young people rising to meet the challenges life throws their way.
Written by Malaysian youth aged 12 to 16, Through The Window showcases their creativity and unique voices. Proceeds from the book's sales will support Yayasan Chow Kit, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and teens in Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit area.
More info here.
A view of the exhibition 'Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody In 90s KL' exhibition at Ilham Gallery in KL. Photo: The Star/Shaari Chemat
PUBLIC TALK: 'APOKALIPS: 1990s KL: THE RAINBOW AND THE DUST'
Venue: Ilham Gallery, KL
Date: Dec 7, 3pm
This weekend, join Eddin Khoo - founder of Pusaka, writer, and researcher - for a public talk at Ilham Gallery (3pm-5pm), held in conjunction with the exhibition Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody in 90s KL.
Built on limestone rock and shifting earth, the ‘Muddy Confluence’ of Kuala Lumpur witnessed dramatic watersheds over two centuries. While its origins began with tin mining, by the latter parts of the 19th and early parts of the 20th century and following its great razing, Kuala Lumpur had transformed into a principal administrative and cultural centre. Steady and deliberate development ensued till the advent of Mahathirsm and the economic boom of the 1990s.
The talk Apokalips: 1990s KL - The Rainbow And The Dust looks into a transformative era with both historical rigour and personal nuance. It explores the 1990s as a decade of explosive social, cultural, and political shifts, portraying Kuala Lumpur as a city at a crossroads - emerging as a cultural capital while mired in political turbulence. The narrative captures the pulse of the times, from the artistic vibrancy shaping the city to its streets surging with protest, culminating in the seismic Reformasi movement.
This talk, presented by Pusaka in collaboration with Ilham Gallery, offers a rich, layered portrait of a city defined by both its struggles and its resilience. Free admission event, registration is required.
Emmanuel Yogan delivers his winning poetry piece from the sixth edition of Jalan Dalam's poetry slam. Photo: Jalan Dalam
POETRY: JALAN DALAM’S POETRY SLAM GRAND SLAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Bartolo Lisboa Bakehouse, Central Market, KL
Date: Dec 7, 7pm
This Saturday, the monthly poetry slam competition that began in May reaches its dramatic conclusion. Winners from the past six editions return to compete one final time for the coveted title of "ultimate slampion."
Organised by Jalan Dalam - a KL collective known for its open mics, curated shows, and community engagement programmes - the event has provided a platform for aspiring artists from all walks of life to showcase their creativity through poetry in this vibrant, healthy competition.
Audiences are now familiar with the poetry slam format, often snapping their fingers in response to lines that resonate with them.
For first-time viewers, Sheena Baharuddin, a multidisciplinary spoken word poet and author of several poetry books, serves as the "sacrificial poet," explaining the rules of the slam while performing a piece of her own.
Free admission event.
More info here.
Solomon's book chronicles a decade-long journey through Fraser's Hill. Photo: Jamie Solomon
BOOK EVENT: NATURE JOURNAL WORKSHOP WITH JAMIE SOLOMON
Venue: Forest Learning Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: Dec 8, 10am
This Sunday, economist-turned-artist and nature advocate Jamie Solomon will guide visitors through her journey of documenting the natural world with journalling.
The event will be held at Forest Learning Centre, Perdana Botanical Garden in Kuala Lumpur. The session (from 10am to noon) kicks off with a short talk about Solomon's latest book, When Our Lives Intersect: Celebrating Ten Years In Fraser's Hill, which is her tribute to the natural beauty of Fraser's Hill in Pahang and is filled with Solomon's visual and written reflections.
While exploring Fraser's Hill, she experienced nature's beauty and its environmental challenges, hoping to inspire readers to value and protect our fragile natural world.Following the talk, Solomon will lead a hands-on "Introduction to Nature Journalling" workshop, where participants will go on a refreshing walk in the park and learn how to observe and capture their natural surroundings.
The book talk is free admission; the nature journalling workshop is RM150/person (inclusive of materials).
More info here.
Visitors stroll past Khaw Sia's painting 'Joget Under Chinese Lanterns' (1972) at Harta Space. Photo The Star/M. Irsyad
EXHIBITION: 'THE RE-COLLECTION PROJECT: AN EXERCISE IN LEARNING'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends Dec 15
This re-collection project by art management and curatorial duo Dayang Aina and Simone Tait of Studio Sayang offers a fresh approach to rediscovering Malaysian artists of the past. Drawing from the late Datuk N. Parameswaran’s extensive art collection and insights from his daughter, Sharmin Parameswaran, the project seeks to weave together history and art.
Since the beginning of the year, Studio Sayang has visited libraries, archives, and dug up newspaper clippings to uncover pre-Internet documentation of these artists. Their findings are paired with contemporary artists, who have been invited to create new works inspired by this rich heritage.
To foster intergenerational dialogue, the exhibition showcases these works as paired tributes. Highlights include Dzulkifli Buyong alongside CC Kua, Grace Selvanayagam with Nia Khalisa, and Khaw Sia with Syahmi Syazwin, among others.
This exhibition (free admission) bridges generations, creating meaningful connections between the past and present through collaboration with the contemporary art community. Visitors can also look forward to insightful sharing sessions with curators and artists throughout the exhibition period.
More info here.
