2 days ago
Weekend for the arts: Tipu Sultan exhibition, Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Fest
EXHIBITION: 'MORE THAN A DAY AS A TIGER'
Venue: Special Gallery 2, Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Jan 11, 2026
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia returns with its biggest exhibition yet, transporting visitors to 18th-century India. It spotlights two influential Mysore rulers - Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan - renowned for their fierce resistance against British imperial expansion from 1761 to 1799.
Named after Tipu Sultan's famous declaration, 'It is far better to live like a tiger for a day than to live like a sheep for a hundred years,' the exhibition features prized artefacts from one of India's most remarkable dynasties.
Visitors will see how Tipu Sultan embraced the tiger motif across weapons, armour, and army uniforms. His legacy of innovation and courage shines through a rare display of superior Mysorean armies and some of the era's most inventive, finely crafted weaponry.
With detailed craftsmanship and powerful symbolism, the exhibition vividly brings this dramatic chapter of South Asian history to life.
More info here.
YAYASAN SIME DARBY ARTS FESTIVAL 2025
Venue: Elmina Lakeside Mall, Shah Alam, Selangor
Date: Aug 9, 4pm-11pm
Here's a Saturday evening arts idea for the whole family! The Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) 2025 is set to close its six-month arts extravaganza with a bang this Saturday following its first-ever Urban Tour.
Its pulling out all the stops for the grand finale – festival-goers can dive into a vibrant line-up of over 80 free activities, featuring over 300 artistes, including exciting concerts, hands-on workshops, one-of-a-kind performances, and engaging installations. Best of all? It's free and open to all.
The main stage line-up suits the park setting perfectly, with indie pop singer-songwriter Zee Avi and her band The Good Things leading a night of soulful folk, jazz, and pop. Powerhouse acts like Kyoto Protocol and Fugo will keep the energy high into the night.
Other programme highlights include Young KL Singers' Spice, Magic and Mystique , a musical journey through South-East Asian folk songs. It will also offer a sneak peek into its upcoming Coldplay tribute concert at KLPac.
For theatre, two crowd favourites from the Kampung Tour return in full form: Dollah, a coming-of-age theatre piece, and Ceritaku, a poignant monologue series based on real-life stories – both directed by Christopher Ling.
Also debuting is a bold and moving new production: Detour The Musical, a pioneering work that features deaf and hearing performers on stage together, seamlessly fusing spoken word, Malaysian Sign Language, and music while championing inclusion and accessibility in the arts.
More info here.
Zen Cho returns to Kuala Lumpur this weekend for a whirlwind tour promoting her book 'Behind Frenemy Lines'. Photo: Pan McMillan/Filepic
BOOK EVENT: ZEN CHO'S 'BEHIND FRENEMY LINES'
Venue: Selected bookshops in KL
Date: Aug 9 and 10
Award-winning Malaysian author Zen Cho delivers a sparkling and witty rivals-to-lovers romance in her latest release, Behind Frenemy Lines.
Set in the same universe as her previous rom-com The Friend Zone Experiment, we follow a new cast of characters in the high-stakes world of law and justice. When Kriya follows her boss and joins a new law firm, she's looking for a fresh start after a messy break-up. Sharing an office with her "bad luck charm" Charles was definitely not what she had in mind.
A stickler for the rules, Charles thinks Kriya can't stand him, but just as they're figuring out how to navigate this frenemy relationship, Kriya needs Charles' help in fobbing off her boss's uncomfortable advances.
The Britain-based author is back in Malaysia this weekend only, so don't miss out on the chance to catch Cho as she unpacks the slow-burn tension, funny banter and behind-the-scenes insights on the book.
On Aug 9, Cho will be at MPH Bookstore, The Exchange TRX (noon-1pm) and Lit Books' CzipLee outpost, Bangsar Village II (4pm-5pm), and on Aug 10, you can find her at Tsutaya Books, Pavilion Bukit Jalil (2pm-3pm).
More info here.
A visitor observes Unglehrt's mixed-media artwork titled 'The Great Malaysian Sunset', 1989, featuring Darth Vader in a series of kampung scenes. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
EXHIBITION: 'A THIRD EYE: A TRIBUTE TO ASKANDAR UNGLEHRT'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends Aug 31
This new exhibition at Harta Space honours the late Askandar Unglehrt (1943–2022), a German-born artist who lived in Malaysia for over five decades. A lecturer and mentor, his works blend Eastern and Western influences with wit and curiosity.
Unglehrt's colourful assemblages - crafted from old magazines and wooden frames - merge pop culture icons like Yoda, Darth Vader, and Superman with scenes from Malaysian life. Using everyday materials, he explores how media and culture shape identity.
Visitors will enjoy the playful spirit of his work while reflecting on foreign influences within local identity.
Curated by Ricardo Chavez Tovar and Adela Askandar, the exhibition previews an upcoming publication on Unglehrt's life and work, with plans to showcase more art in Penang, his longtime home.
Admission is free. Closed Mondays.
More info here.
A view of the Ryoko Kui and 'Delicious In Dungeon' exhibition at the Fahrenheit88 mall in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
EXHIBITION: RYOKO KUI AND 'DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON'
Venue: Incubase Arena, Level 2, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Sept 28
This Japanese pop culture exhibition brings together the imaginative world of Delicious In Dungeon and its creator, manga artist Ryoko Kui.
The story follows adventurer Laios and his companions as they explore dungeons and cook the monsters they find. Adapted into a TV anime, it premiered in 2024.
Now in Kuala Lumpur after stops in Japan and Hong Kong, the exhibition at KL features over 150 artworks and concept pieces, giving fans a peek into Ryoko's creative process.
Step into immersive sets from the anime and check out the artist spotlight zone with interview clips and drawing videos.
After exploring, you can even eat like Laios and his party at the themed café serving monster-inspired dishes.
More info here.
A visitor views one of five windshield panels from Azim's 'Langkah Terasing' series, highlighting roadside fruit sellers in the city's busy traffic areas. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli
EXHIBITION: 'OLD SCHOOL X NEW RULES'
Venue: Galeri PETRONAS, Level 3, Suria KLCC
Date: ends Sept 28
Curious about the new wave of Malaysian artists reshaping the scene? Old School X New Rules at the newly reopened Level 3 gallery in Suria KLCC is a great starting point.
Spanning installations, video works, paintings, and found objects, the show gathers diverse emerging voices exploring shifting perspectives and the balance between tradition and experimentation.
Featured artists include Zulkefli Jais, Aimman Hafizal, Azim Rodi, Yong Hui Lin, Chong Yan Chuah, Yuki Mun, Burhanuddin Bakri, Foong Yeng Yeng (with Lim Soon Hock), Afiq Romi, Haziq Syawal, Husni Osman, Syazwan Jehan, Syuhada Yaacob, and Akif Azmi.
After a pandemic-era pause since May 2021, Galeri PETRONAS marks its return with this exhibition and a series of public programmes.
Free admission. Closed on Mondays.
More info here.
