A view of 'Jiwa Membumi: The Soul Of The Land', a newly opened group exhibition at BNM Museum and Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: BNM MAG
EXHIBITION: 'JIWA MEMBUMI: THE SOUL OF THE LAND'
Venue: Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Feb 25, 2025
Craving that rustic charm? Jiwa Membumi: The Soul Of The Land, a newly opened exhibition at BNM Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG), celebrates Malaysia’s rural roots and vibrant cultural heritage.
The exhibition highlights the enduring connection between nature, culture, and village life through photography, paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations.
It features works by 12 Malaysian artists and photographers, including Eric Peris, Alan Ng, Ariff Awaluddin, Soraya Yusof, Azman Karib, Azul Adnan, Chong Kok Choon, Grace Ho, Grez Chan, Nora Yusuf, Supian Ahmad, and Hariz Hamdan.
This collection begins with photography and evolves into innovative expressions inspired by the artists’ reflections, experiences, and journeys to distant locales.
Visitors can immerse themselves in scenes of clear night skies, the village surau, vintage road signs, and the timeless charm of the countryside, reflecting how traditional life continues to shape modern Malaysia.
Free admission exhibition.
More info here.
Chi Too's 'It Is What Is it' exhibition at The Back Room in KL presents a playful collection, which revives the energy of his early 2010s practice. Photo: Kenta Chai
EXHIBITION: CHI TOO'S 'IT IS WHAT IS IT'
Venue: The Back Room, Zhongshan, KL
Date: ends Dec 22
It's the last weekend to catch artist chi too's latest exhibition at The Back Room. It Is What Is it presents a playful collection, which revives the energy of his early 2010s practice – a time of absurd performances, meticulously crafted objects, and community-driven experimentation.
Earlier this month, chi too returned to the spotlight this "performative exhibition" where most of the works came to life on the opening night. There were karaoke puns, indoor fireworks, the unravelling of packing tape, and a display of Ikea boxes filled with personal contents donated by the public.
Post-opening, only remnants of the "party" remain – a humorous hangover of a night most will never witness.
At its core, It Is What Is It reminds us of the power of wit, play, and community in art, embracing the joy of experimentation and the beauty of being unapologetically stupid.
More info here.
A total of 84 works are being featured in the 'KLABF 2024 x TOKYO TDC' exhibition at The Godown in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
EXHIBITION: KLABF 2024 x 'TOKYO TYPE DIRECTORS CLUB'
Venue: The Godown Arts Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Dec 24
For the first time in South-East Asia, the Tokyo Type Directors Club (Tokyo TDC) is presenting a curated selection of its works at The Godown Arts Centre this month. This (ticketed) exhibition is part of this year's KL Art Book Fair programme and marks a significant cultural exchange in the region.
Founded in 1987 by 89 pioneering Japanese graphic designers under the guidance of renowned designer Katsumi Asaba, Tokyo TDC has evolved into a non-profit organisation dedicated to exploring the potential of typography and design. It is best known for the Tokyo TDC Annual Award, which highlights exceptional works in the field.
Supported by the Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), this exhibition in KL showcases a diverse collection of typography and graphic design pieces that have stood out in recent Tokyo exhibitions. A total of 84 works are being featured, including posters, type design, books, records, videos, experimental projects, logos, packaging, signage, and branding.
More info here.
A view of the 'Oceans That Speak' exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Izzrafiq Alias
EXHIBITION: 'OCEANS THAT SPEAK: ISLAM AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE MALAY WORLD'
Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends June 15, 2025
Discover the rich history of maritime trade at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur through a new exhibition (ticketed) spotlighting the Malay world’s central role in connecting East and West.
This exhibition showcases the Malay Archipelago as a vibrant hub of trade and cultural exchange, tracing the spread of Islam and its enduring impact on art and society.
An array of artefacts, manuscripts, and artworks - from the IAMM collection - reveal how Islamic influences travelled from the Indian Subcontinent, China, and the Middle East, shaping a thriving Islamic civilisation led by sultans, scholars, and artists.
Highlights include stories of ports like Melaka, key crossroads for 15th- and 16th-century trade in spices and tin, where Islam arrived with merchants and scholars from Hadhramaut and Gujarat, leaving a profound spiritual and cultural legacy.
More info here.
At the National Textile Museum in KL, the 'Telepuk: The Art Of Gold Leaf' exhibition highlights the craftsmanship and heritage of telepuk textiles. Photo: National Textile Museum
EXHIBITION: 'TELEPUK: THE ART OF GOLD LEAF'
Venue: National Textile Museum, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Dec 31
Time is running out to catch one of the year’s most eye-catching textile exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur. So be quick!
Showing at the National Textile Museum’s Gallery Saindera until Dec 31, Telepuk: The Art Of Gold Leaf is a deep dive into the artistry and heritage of telepuk textiles.
Divided into five curated segments, the exhibit features an impressive 183 collections, including 49 exquisite examples of telepuk textiles, 130 intricately crafted telepuk stamps, and a selection of manuscripts and publications that provide rich historical context.
The term telepuk itself carries poetic origins. In ancient Malay literature, it referred to the lotus flower, but its meaning evolved over time. Some suggest it describes the floral stamps used in creating the textiles, while others believe it captures the shimmering golden patterns that adorn the fabric, evoking the image of sunlight dancing on lotus petals atop tranquil waters.
This exhibition (ticketed) offers not just a glimpse into a traditional craft but also a window into the cultural and artistic soul of the region.
More info here.
