Latest news with #FaihanGhani
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Children's rights advocate pens picture book of hope and resilience
'I want to reach as wide an audience as possible, because a lot of the work that we do, especially with families, are really Malaysian children, Malaysian mothers, Malaysian people who, because they have a lack of support, actually leave their children in places they shouldn't,' says Hartini. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani A foundling is defined as 'a young child who is left by its parents and then found and cared for by someone else.' But in Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin's debut children's book, The Foundling, they are a symbol of hope, shining brightly in their own right. Hartini, widely and respectfully known as 'Tini', is a dedicated social advocate who has long championed the rights of marginalised and stateless children. Her commitment to this vulnerable population has earned her considerable respect within both local communities and the broader human rights sector. She co-founded Yayasan Chow Kit, a non-profit that supports at-risk children, and has adopted and raised eight children, many of them foundlings. Hartini's book is in English and Bahasa Malaysia to reach a wider audience. Photo: OyezBooks 'I have been working with children for many years, so I've seen how heartbreaking and difficult it is to not know who your parents are and to not have a family to belong to," says Hartini during a recent reading session to introduce her book at a cafe in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. In the book, the protagonist, a foundling, gets adopted by parents who love her. With their support, she faces all obstacles and stumbling blocks thrown her way with perseverance and determination, eventually reaching her dream of reaching the stars and becoming an astronaut. 'Foundlings don't have legal documents, so they're also not recognised as a citizen of any country. This means that they're unable to go to school or have access to health services,' she says. 'The Foundling' also features collage-inspired illustrations by Malaysian artist Ranerrim. Photo: OyezBooks 'I wrote the book out of frustration because of what's been happening to these children – they aren't just nameless faces to me, they are children that I know. I also wanted a happy story for foundlings, where they get to have a family of their own and the same opportunities as everybody else.' Facilitating discussions Published by OyezBooks, proceeds from the book's sale will go to Madhya's Gift, Yayasan Chow Kit's emergency and critical healthcare fund for children in need. 'Madhya's Gift is a new initiative we've set up that allows equitable access to health services for children to cut down on the mortality rates for children, especially those under five years old,' says Hartini. Hartini seen at a reading event in KL for her book, 'The Foundling'. Photo: OyezBooks 'Currently, for marginalised children, the mortality rate for children under five is about 600 deaths a year for the past nine years. These are recorded numbers. So we want to build a network and ecosystem to minimise this,' she explains. The book is written in English and Bahasa Malaysia and includes an explainer at the end that parents and educators can use to facilitate discussions with children about foundlings and the challenges they face. 'I want to reach as wide an audience as possible, because a lot of the work that we do, especially with families, are really Malaysian children, Malaysian mothers, Malaysian people who, because they have a lack of support, actually leave their children in places they shouldn't,' she says. 'The Foundling' includes information about foundlings in Malaysia and the challenges they face. Photo: OyezBooks The book features illustrations by Malaysian artist Ranerrim (currently based in London). She has exhibited widely in both Malaysia and internationally, most notably the Venice Biennale (fringe event) in Italy in 2022 and Documenta 15 (2022) in Kassel, Germany, alongside her art collective, Projek Rabak. Hartini says that while it took her about 30 years to write The Foundling, she's already in the process of completing her second book. 'It's another children's picture book, of course. It's basically about me – a naughty, playful girl – and my relationship with my mother. It should be released by the end of this year, so keep a lookout for it,' she concludes. The Foundling is available at the Duke Museum of Picture Book Art at GMBB, Kuala Lumpur and other good bookstores.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
KL exhibition traces Asean currency from ancient trade to digital future
In the exhibition, visitors can learn how currency and money systems evolved over time across 18 ancient kingdoms in the Asean region. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani From cash and coins to DuitNow, the exchange of money for products and services is something many of us take for granted. In Numismatic Marvels: Minted History, Printed Heritage , on display on Level 2 at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG) in Kuala Lumpur until Oct 12, visitors get the chance to discover the evolution of currency, particularly within Asean. The exhibition – which gets its name from the term 'numismatics', or the study of coins and other currency units – showcases replicas of the world's first coin, the first banknote discovered in the seventh century, and cowrie shells, which served as money from as early as 2,000 BCE. 'Did you know that Sasana Kijang building's design was inspired by the cowrie shell?' asks curator Wan Muhammad Danial Wan Omar during a tour of the exhibition. 'You can see its shape when viewed from above.' The exhibition showcases the banknotes and coins of each Asean member country. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani The exhibition starts with a general overview of the history of currency and how each Asean country's central bank was established, before taking you back through time, showing enlarged replicas of various coin and banknote designs used in the 18 ancient kingdoms that once ruled parts of South-East Asia, such as the Srivijaya empire and the Malay Sultanates. 'Back then, each kingdom had their own currency, so it wasn't standardised. Each currency also had its own system and exchange rate. 'For example, in the Malay Sultanate, we had two denominations: 'kupang' was the smaller denomination, while 'mas' was the higher denomination. The weight of one Kupang was 0.6g, while one Mas was 2.4g. So if I have one Mas, it's equivalent to four pieces of Kupang,' says Wan Muhammad Danial. One of the more uncommon artefacts on display is the 'kampua', a form of hand-woven cotton cloth that was used as currency in Indonesia. 'Each piece of kampua cloth needed to be verified and stamped by the chief minister. One sheet would be equivalent to one chicken egg,' says Wan Muhammad Danial. The 'Asean Marketplace' features life-sized dioramas of famous markets across Asean. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani In the next section, you're transported to the Instagrammable 'Asean Marketplace', featuring dioramas of famous markets from each country, such as Kuala Lumpur's Central Market, the Philippines' Calle Crisologo in Vigan City, Thailand's Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the Ratchaburi province, and Vietnam's Train Street in Hanoi. There are even Augmented Reality (AR) elements that you can scan using your smartphone camera, which brings each market to life, adding to the exhibition's interactivity. The third and final section of the exhibition goes beyond numismatics and touches on the modern payment instruments and banking. There's also an area where visitors can design their own coin and have it scanned on to a digital animated display. Numismatic Marvels was launched earlier this month in conjunction with the 12th Asean Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting (AFMGM) in Kuala Lumpur. Exhibition opens from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. Closed on Monday. Free admission. More info here.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
The 'Palette And Pen' exhibition celebrates voices from art and literary worlds
National Laureate Datuk Seri A. Samad Said, with his signature long white beard and quiet presence, seemed to roll back the years as he wandered through the recent launch of Palette And Pen at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG) in Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition, inspired by Asean connections, brings poetry, art, and literature into conversation. It celebrates how words and images shape, reflect, and inspire each other across generations and borders. At 90, A. Samad – whose vast contributions to Malay literature span novels, poetry, essays, drama, and the performing arts – is showcasing a series of ink-on-paper drawings (from 2006) at Palette And Pen. Each of his works is rich with poetic nuance and lyrical intimacy. As a young man, A. Samad learned art under one of Indonesia's most celebrated 20th century painters, an experience that gave him a distinctly regional sensibility and deepened his appreciation for South-East Asia's cultural dialogues. A visitor walks past 'Dun Dun Chak' (acrylic on canvas, 1974) by Malaysian artist Abdul Ghafar Ibrahim at the 'Palette And Pen' exhibition. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani 'In the beginning I was already an artist. I studied with artists Affendi from Indonesia, and C. Mahat from Malaysia,' he says. A. Samad also has his literary works featured at the exhibition, which runs through Oct 12. He sees art and writing as intertwined reflections of the human condition, shaped by time and memory. 'I feel that writing is more from and to the heart. Art is a deformed heart that is sincere and loyal. We hide the inner turmoil we experience,' he adds. In many ways, Palette And Pen is an exhibition with ambitious reach, arriving at just the right moment – when audiences are craving thoughtful museum offerings. It presents a rare opportunity to explore folklore and histories, local and regional, through the eyes of artists and poets. Carry on the legacy This multi-generational show, coinciding with Malaysia's role as Asean chair this year, offers numerous highlights for art lovers drawn to regional art connections, while providing poets and the literary crowd plenty to explore. A showcase of classic Malaysian literary works, featuring poetry and anthologies. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani Beyond the regional, BNM MAG curator Siti Melorinda (Melor) Khuzaina Sakdudin, with Amira Salleh and Aishah Wahab, highlights the value of local historical works in preserving Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. 'This isn't the first interdisciplinary exhibition of its kind. In 1970 and 1971, Manifestasi Dua Seni I and II were showcased by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. "Given the success of that exhibition (series) and the recent revival of 1970s culture in other galleries in KL, we felt it was the right time to showcase works from that era,' says Melor in an interview. 'Through the resurgence of (Malay literary forms) sajak, syair, hikayat, and folktales, these artworks and writings can inspire the new generation of artists to carry on the legacy,' she adds. The exhibition showcases 159 artworks and over 50 books by 38 local artists and 14 regional contributors. An oil on cardboard painting 'Abstractions (Birds)' from 1951 by Filipino artist Hernando R. Ocampo. Photo: BNM MAG With homegrown names like Latiff Mohidin, Syed Thajudeen, Jaafar Taib, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Yee I-Lann, and Samsudin Wahab, alongside regional figures such as Arahmaiani (Indonesia), Aung Myat Htay (Myanmar), and Fyerool Darma (Singapore), the gallery's entire third floor feels like a space to absorb layered histories, cultural memory, and artistic dialogue across borders. Plenty to discover Local works date back to the 1960s, and there's plenty to engage with. And no regional exhibition feels complete without Latiff's iconic Pago Pago series woven into the narrative. For art pieces rooted in Malaysian literature, legendary artists Syed Ahmad Jamal (1929-2011), Ismail Zain (1930-1991), and Ibrahim Hussein (1936-2009) have left behind a rich trove waiting to be revisited in this exhibition. Meanwhile, Syed Thajudeen's oil painting The Eternal Love Between Puteri Gunung Ledang And Hang Tuah (2013) reflects the enriched storytelling that unfolds when visual art draws from written myth. Syed Thajudeen discusses regional storytelling and myths next to his oil painting 'The Eternal Love Between Puteri Gunung Ledang And Hang Tuah' (2013). Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani His large-scale work offers a vivid portrayal of these iconic Malaysian folklore figures, adorned with floral motifs and animal imagery. 'It's no secret that Western folktales and myths are more widely popularised through television and film. However, I believe this artwork allows me to highlight the mystical elements of Malaysian, and by extension, South-East Asian, mythology,' says Syed. In addition to spotlighting pioneering voices, the exhibition also explores how cultural heritage is reinterpreted in contemporary contexts. Artist, academic, and writer Jalaini Abu Hassan exemplifies this with his painting Jebat Pulang Bersyarat, accompanied by his debut poetry collection, Catan Sopan. 'I imagined what it would be like if Jebat returned to modern-day Melaka – wearing a Prada suit and shoes, wandering through old alleyways,' says Jalaini. Indonesian painter S. Sudjojono's 1959 oil on hardboard artwork titled 'Jalan Di Muka Rumah Kami' is one of the Asean highlights. Photo: BNM MAG 'If you look closely, he's holding a pen behind his back instead of a keris. This emphasises the proverb: the pen is mightier than the sword.' Datuk Dr Siti Zainon Ismail, Malaysia's 14th National Laureate, is also a rare figure who excels in both art and literature, making an exhibition like Palette And Pen a perfect showcase of her unique dual talent. She began painting and writing poetry in her teens, selling her first artwork and publishing books by the age of 16. Her acrylic paintings, paired with literary works, reflect her belief that language and image belong together. 'Art has always been a way to express what cannot be said in words. Conversely, poetry and rhythm can spark visual imagination. A dedication to both crafts allows an artist to express themselves in ways they might not expect,' says Siti Zainon. Regional connections In the Scrolls From Asean section, artworks extend beyond Malaysia, showcasing diverse regional interpretations and shifting influences over time. A standout piece is I Love You – After Joseph Beuys Social Sculpture (2009) by Indonesian artist and poet Arahmaiani, who had her works shown at the Tate Modern in London late last year. Siti Zainon stands by her 1980 acrylic on canvas artwork 'Seri Trolak' at the 'Palette And Pen' exhibition. Photo: The Star/M Irsyad The Bandung-born artist, known for her bold, taboo-breaking art, is a striking choice for the exhibition, given her tumultuous relationship with her homeland. 'This artwork exemplifies the blending of modern Western art with local culture, particularly with the use of Jawi script in a soft sculpture medium,' says lead curator Melor. She also highlights Singaporean artist Abdul Ghani Hamid (1933-2014), a self-taught painter, poet, and art critic, who played a key role in nurturing Malay artists in Singapore through the Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya collective. 'For the younger generation, it's hard to grasp the impact of Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965, but it was a watershed moment for many creatives. Abdul Ghani, who remained in Singapore, helped lay the foundation for future generations of artists, including pioneering modernist Latiff Mohidin,' says Melor. An oil on wood painting from 1992 tilted 'Lalang Dan Api' by Singaporean artist Abdul Ghani Hamid. Photo: BNM MAG From these Asean exhibits – ranging from Indonesia's S. Sudjojono's 1959 oil painting Jalan Di Muka Rumah Kam i to Filipino artists Hernando R. Campo's 1951 Abstraction (Birds) and Ramon Peralta's 1905 Courtship In An Azotea – visitors are offered a rare chance to trace the evolution of regional expression. These classics serve as historical anchors, inviting meaningful comparison with more recent works. 'South-East Asia's art and literary history is relatively young compared to our Western counterparts. "That's why it's vital to support and nurture future collaborations between neighbouring countries – especially when you consider that, long ago, these borders didn't exist and we shared the region as a collective space,' concludes Melor. Palette And Pen at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, KL, runs until Oct 12 with workshops, artist talks, and sharing sessions throughout. More info here.
