A visitor taking a closer look at “Pawang” (left) a 2013 charcoal on paper piece by Jalaini Abu Hassan. To the right is Wong Hoy Cheong’s photograph “Chronicles of Crime: Last Supper” from 2006. — Photos by CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
WHAT sets great pieces of art apart from the rest, is their capacity to inspire, unite and uplift people. In highlighting ideas and ideals, they foster connections, spark conversations and bring fresh perspectives on the world around us.
This is true of many artworks in Khazanah Nasional’s corporate collection, which were acquired gradually after the sovereign wealth fund started operations in 1994.
To mark its 30th anniversary, a selection of 46 pieces were brought to Penang for the Galeri Khazanah mini exhibition held at Think City @ Bangunan UAB in China Street Ghaut, George Town.
The show is titled “Journeying Through Malaysian Art, Imagination and Legacy”.
There are batik, sculptures, paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, digital and augmented reality works done by over 30 established and emerging Malaysian talents.
Khazanah Nasional managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said Penang, with its vibrant arts community and cultural heritage, provided an ideal setting to expand their audience.
“Khazanah had been collecting art for many years. Because whether classical or contemporary, art captures a part of history. It’s a reflection of the mood, sentiment and soul of the country.
“So what better way to celebrate our milestone than bringing together a selection of works that narrate a beautiful story of how Malaysia has grown,” he shared.
The exhibition also serves to highlight the Galeri Khazanah virtual art gallery to the public. Set up in 2022, it uses five thematic virtual rooms to showcase their vast collection.
“Our ultimate purpose is to serve the rakyat. Whether through investments that create value or wealth, or through investee companies that improve lives, it’s all for the community.
“So it’s important that we share what we have with the people and involve them in it, so they can appreciate what we’re doing,” Amirul continued.
Tan (left) and Gomes are recipients of the Khazanah Nasional Associate Artist Residency Programme, which gave them the environment to further grow as artists.
A space to create art
The exhibition features esteemed names such as Ahmad Fuad Osman, Ismail Hashim, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Khaw Sia, Latiff Mohidin, Raja Shahriman Raja Aziddin and Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal.
Additionally, there are also 10 past recipients of the Khazanah Nasional Associate Artist Residency Programme (KAAR) - including printmaker Mark Tan and sculptor Joshua Kane Gomes.
The two Klang Valley-based talents had stints at Acme Studios in London, England, from January to March 2023 under the residency, which was tailored to suit their individual needs.
It gave them time to research, build relationships and focus on producing new artworks in a supported environment. Both said they were able to grow from the experience.
Tan, 33, said opportunities for artists to network, exchange ideas and be inspired by each other are invaluable. Having the time to focus solely on creating, also proved refreshing.
“We had the privilege of visiting the studios of various artists there to see their processes and have conversations. It was eye-opening and brought me new perspectives and inspiration.
“Having access to professional printmaking facilities was also beneficial and could steer my art practice in new directions.
“The UK also has some of the biggest art galleries in the world. Being able to see my favourite artworks and artists in person was definitely life changing,” Tan shared.
Gomes, 31 said he gained a newfound freedom with regards to choice of materials following the experience. His works also became more free-form.
“I spent the first month just reading and researching. I was coming off a heavy production phase so it was good to take a breather and re-centre myself.
“The unfamiliarity of being in a new environment and a new studio, with no access to my usual tools, pushed me to experiment a lot more, to see what I could come up with,” he continued.
Gomes, whose background is in illustration, said his sculptures are mostly inspired by folklore - as evident with his “Parasocial II” from 2022 that is among Khazanah’s collection.
Inspired by the myth of the Wendigo, a native North American cannibalistic spirit, it is part of an ongoing series that delves into the dark side of unhealthy dependencies in human relationships.
“Such oral history, passed down through generations, has parallels today in the anxieties and worries we face in modern society.
“Folklore transcends geographical boundaries and speaks of the collective human experience,” added the sculptor who found a three-dimensional medium a better way to express himself.
Tan’s featured piece is “We Need to be More Like Plants” from 2023. He used an abstract symbol of flora to embody themes of growth, nurture and perseverance.The inclusion of broken stones in the print also highlighted life’s imperfections and challenges, as well as the importance of having resilience and a positive outlook.
Tan said he never envisaged becoming an artist. His parents ran a music school in Ampang and all roads seemed to lead to a career in music.
Yet he loved making things with his hands. At an education fair, he was recommended to a fine arts programme and the rest was history. His love for printmaking also came naturally.
“I was exposed to various types of art in university but the aesthetics of printmaking appealed to me. Even the process itself has its own charm.
“There are always different methodologies to explore or different problems to solve. It never gets dull and I learn something new every day,” Tan added.
Besides them, the other KAAR artists featured in the show were Ajim Juxta, Azam Aris, Haffendi Anuar, Izat Arif, Tomi Heri, Winnie Cheng, Yeoh Choo Kuan and Zulkifli Lee.
They similarly benefited from stints at Acme Studios. Founded in 1972, it is a melting pot of various cultures which promotes exchange and embracing diverse perspectives and ideas.
Visitors immersing themselves in the Enchanting Garden, a multi-sensory mirrored infinity room at the Galeri Khazanah mini exhibition.
Cross-cultural collaboration
The KAAR is one of several initiatives under the broader Khazanah Residency Programme (KRP) which aims to develop promising Malaysians in selected disciplines.
There are also the Khazanah-Wolfson Press Fellowship and KRP Sustainability Programme. To date, more than 50 local talents have benefited from it.
Amirul said these residencies allow talented local individuals to experience working with counterparts around the world and share experiences and networks.
“It gives them a worldly view. When they come back, they can share and even nurture some of their peers locally.
“So even though the programme only impacts a few individuals, these individuals can make a bigger impact on the overall ecosystem here and take it to greater heights,” he added.
The Galeri Khazanah mini exhibition also features a special section highlighting the eight winning submissions of the inaugural Hasanah Gold Thread Awards in 2023.
There is also an Enchanting Garden, a multi-sensory and immersive, mirrored infinity room filled with abundant flowers and foliage, that is also alive with the sounds of nature.
The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm and ends this Saturday (Aug 17).
Admission is free. For info, visit https://galeri.khazanah.com.my
