The AFK Collection: A conversation with the Khans
This is the essence of The AFK Collection, the life's work of Aliya and Farouk Khan, a couple whose mutual dedication to art has not only shaped their lives but also lead the way for the Malaysian arts and culture scene.
Their journey, much like the vibrant and complex works they collect, reflects a shared passion, mutual respect and a belief in the transformative power of art. Aliya and Farouk Khan. Photo: Sinar Daily
Farouk, in a moment of candid reflection, credits his wife, Aliya, for leading him down this path.
'I'm so thankful that my wife led me to this line. At my age today, I can't think of a better thing to be involved in than being involved with arts and culture.
'It' such an intellectual and academic and cultural thing that it's just good for my soul,' he said.
To step into the Khan's home is like stepping directly into a living gallery.
The walls are adorned with phenomenal, towering artworks, a visual feast that immediately immerses you in the vast collection they have meticulously built. Step inside the living gallery of Aliya and Farouk Khan, the family whose passion for art is telling the story of Malaysia. Photo: Sinar Daily
The AFK Collection, which began with their move to Malaysia in the mid-'90s, is no ordinary assembly of artworks.
It is, as Farouk describes it, a 'repository of the first generation Malaysian artists' and a meticulously crafted narrative of the Malaysian contemporary art movement.
Their approach was not to simply acquire pieces they liked, but to understand the very timeline and evolution of the art scene.
They engaged with underground curators, researched extensively, and built a collection that reflects the country's rapid transition to becoming an industrial, technological hub.
This dedication to a broader narrative ensured they did not become merely gallery collectors but rather custodians of a crucial historical and cultural record.
'We then set about buying artworks to fill up within the narrative. Today you actually have this repository of the first generation Malaysian artists who were engaged in developing conceptual art,' he said.
A DAUGHTER'S VISION
This passion for art, history, and culture is a legacy that has been lovingly passed down to their daughter, Zena Khan, the curator of The AFK Collection.
For Zena, her role is a privilege and a natural step, born out of a lifetime spent immersed in the world of Malaysian art.
"I grew up watching my parents assemble the collection, going on studio visits with them, listening to stories about the artists," she said. The installation at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zena Khan
This intimate, firsthand knowledge, combined with her academic training from the Royal College of Art in London has equipped her to shape the collection's most significant presentation to date.
INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE
The AFK Collection's most significant international presentation to date is the ongoing exhibition at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, called To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia.
This landmark event is the first major exhibition of Malaysian contemporary art at an international museum and has been met with extraordinary success. The installation at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zena Khan
This collection highlights the development and potential of contemporary art in an independent Malaysia, showcasing pieces by key Malaysian artists.
Zena's curatorial vision for the exhibition was ambitious.
As the first major exhibition of Malaysian contemporary art at an international museum, she knew it was crucial to start with the foundation.
"That very first question I would have about an art movement that I was being introduced to is what's it about?
"When you're looking at Malaysian contemporary art, what is it about? How did it start, what was the origins of the movement," she said.
The exhibition was designed to present a dual narrative: the history of Malaysian contemporary art and the parallel emergence of contemporary Malaysian society.
"So through this exhibition, you're actually reading two histories - the art history and the social history," she said.
This approach allows visitors to understand how Malaysian art visually articulates a dynamic period of societal change driven by political, social, and economic shifts.
Zena describes the curating process as being guided very much by the narrative. It involved a careful selection of artists who were foundational to the movement, such as Fauzan Omar, whom she calls the father of Malaysian contemporary art and Yusof Ghani. The installation at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zena Khan
She sought out iconic works that created a scaffolding of Malaysian contemporary art history, allowing the rest of the movement's story to fall into place.
The process, while complex, came naturally to her, reflecting her lifelong immersion in the art world.
The exhibition itself, which has received rave reviews, was a deeply collaborative effort.
Zena worked with a team of charming, passionate, knowledgeable women from the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi.
THE TURNING POINT AND THE FUTURE
For Zena, this exhibition marks a significant turning point for Malaysian art on the international stage.
The power of seeing the works live she believes, has an impact that cannot be replicated through images.
The positive feedback and discussions of future potential are already paving the way for Malaysian art to be recognised and respected globally.
Looking ahead, Zena shares her vision for the Malaysian art scene in the next decade.
She hopes for a flourishing publishing sector, a greater focus on art history, and more opportunities for Malaysians to engage with and read about art.
Her dream is to see more and more Malaysian art on the walls of museums, both at home and around the world.
Aliya and Farouk echo this hope, seeing the exhibition as an opening of a door, opening of a window of opportunity.
They believe the next step is for Malaysian institutions, corporations, and the art fraternity to collaborate and build on this momentum.
Farouk stresses the importance of developing a sophisticated ecosystem to support the artists. The installation at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zena Khan
The talent is there, he said. But more is needed, including good curators, museums that engage with international institutions, and representatives who can promote Malaysian art abroad.
Aliya and Farouk are confident in the product, calling Malaysian contemporary art 'a world-class standing' that deserves better representation.
From another perspective, what shines through is not just their dedication to art, but also their deep affection for Malaysia itself.
Farouk's decision to move his family here was driven by a belief in the country's more open, creative outside the box education system. A choice that he feels has served his children well.
This admiration for Malaysia's spirit and potential is what fuels their tireless efforts.
And in their journey, they offer a powerful reminder that art is not just a luxury, it is also a reflection of a nation's soul.
The "To Know Malaysia is To Love Malaysia" exhibition is on at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi until Sept 10, 2025.
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