Latest news with #HartaSpace
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Weekend for the arts: Bayu's 'Resonance Of Souls', Sedar Space's paper trail
EXHIBITION: BAYU UTOMO RADJIKIN'S 'RESONANCE OF SOULS' Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor Date: ends June 29 It's always a bit of a local art world event when Bayu drops a new exhibition - and true to form, he's painted the town red, crimson, and several shades of existential maroon. In his latest solo outing, Resonance Of Souls, Bayu dives deep beneath the skin, using the human body as a stage for silent emotional dramas. The Harta gallery space is ideal to experience these impactful works. With contorted poses, visceral textures, and colour fields that practically hum with feeling, Bayu's paintings don't just speak - they brood, ache, and occasionally whisper something you can't quite hear but definitely feel. Don't come expecting portraits or personal narratives. These anonymous male figures are stripped of identity to reflect something more universal: the inner battles and unglamorous grit that shape us. It's emotional anatomy class, Bayu-style. This exhibition marks a mature evolution in the Sabah-born artist's style - blending the physical and the abstract, the seen and the sensed - offering a raw, resonant look at what it means to be human, in all our quietly heroic messiness. As a founding member of both the Matahati Collective and Hom Art Trans gallery, Bayu carries over three decades of artistic mileage - and it looks like he's still shifting gears. More info here. A visitor takes a closer look at Haslin Ismail's works at Sedar Space's group exhibition 'On Paper'. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad EXHIBITION: 'ON PAPER' Venue: Sedar Space, Shah Alam, Selangor Date: ends June 21 There's always a good chance you'll stumble upon an interesting independent artist-run gallery show in Shah Alam - and Sedar Space continues that streak with the second installment of On Paper. This group exhibition brings together 23 artists—including Ahmad Fuad Osman, Haslin Ismail, Gan Chin Lee, Samsudin Wahab, Amron Omar, the late Othman Mansor, Lina Tan, Arif Rafhan Othman, Alice Tan, Haziq Shawal, Anissa Abdullah, and more—who push paper far beyond its traditional role, treating it not merely as a surface, but as a medium to sketch, collage, journal, and explore ideas in inventive ways. Divided into five parts, the show offers a range of approaches to this humble material. Some works feel intimate and autobiographical, touching on memory, culture, and identity. Others are playful, even mischievous - folded, cut, layered, and reinvented into surprising forms. Expect everything from delicate ink studies to bold, spontaneous mark-making and tactile, sculptural compositions. Whether you're drawn to conceptual pieces or visual diaries, On Paper is a reminder of how something as everyday as paper can hold extraordinary weight. A by-appointment exhibition. More info here. A painting by Tong titled 'Blister'. It is part of his solo debut exhibition 'Occurs' in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Tong Fung Chuar EXHIBITION: TONG FUNG CHUAR'S 'OCCURS' Venue: The Changing Room, Zhongshan building, KL Date: June 7-22 It's always encouraging to see emerging artists given the spotlight with solo debuts. Occurs, curated by independent curator Umar Sharif, marks Tong Fung Chuar's first solo painting exhibition - an introspective series that retraces the raw, often unsettling experiences of everyday life. With titles like Blister, Screaming Car, and Bloodletting, Tong's paintings tap into the anxiety and quiet chaos we often overlook. While exaggerated in tone, they reflect the internal melodramas we all carry, reimagined through expressive lines, solitary figures, and soft colourways that contrast with their uneasy themes. The French-trained artist presents pain, fear, and tension through naive, unstructured forms. The absence of recognisable figures leaves space for personal reflection, while the curation favours mood over narrative. More than an introduction to a promising new voice, Occurs also serves as a case study in independent exhibition-making - a reminder that art can thrive in self-created 'third spaces,' where experimentation and expression go hand in hand. Tong, who graduated from the National School of Fine Art in Dijon, eastern France in 2021, now lives and works between Kuala Lumpur and Johor. More info here. At his debut solo exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Khabir presents a striking series of large-scale wall installations. Photo: The Star/Raja Faisal Hishan EXHIBITION: KHABIR ROSLAN'S 'SUKMA: MEGAH, TUNDOK' Venue: Wei-Ling Gallery, KL Date: ends June 21 After his time in the WLG Incubator Young Artists programme in 2023 under the mentorship of Yau Bee Ling, emerging artist Khabir Roslan presents a solo debut exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery, exploring time through themes of decomposition, repair, and transformation. Using compost soil mixed with pigments and oil, along with stitched bandages and cloth, Khabir creates large-scale, tactile works layered with care and memory. Hexagonal motifs - echoing Singgora clay roof tiles from Nusantara architecture - repeat across the surfaces, evoking both fragmentation and continuity. Titled from the Bahasa Malaysia words sukma (soul), megah (greatness), and tundok (humility), the show reflects on cyclical rhythms of making. Neither quite painting nor sculpture, the works unfold as soil-stained scrolls that stretch floor to ceiling, anchored by a fragment of a boat's hull - merging gesture, object, and grounded reflection. For those new to his work, Khabir is a transdisciplinary artist whose practice weaves together science, cosmology, and philosophy. A Fine Arts graduate from UiTM Shah Alam, he was awarded "Most Promising Artist" after winning the UOB Painting of the Year 2020 in the Emerging Artist category. More info here. Shinya's artwork titled 'Hyonenzu', which is inspired by a painting by Zen monk-painter Josetsu under the commission of a shogun in 15th century Japan. Photo: Artemis Art EXHIBITION: SHINYA MASUDA'S 'HOJO ZANMAI' Venue: The Drawing Room, Yap Ah Shak House, KL Date: ends June 14 If you're on the hunt for a fresh art space in Kuala Lumpur, The Drawing Room is well worth a visit. Award-winning Japanese artist Shinya Masuda is showing his latest photomontage series, Hojo Zanmai, fresh from its debut at the Sony World Photography Awards 2025. This marks the series' first stop following its premiere at London's Somerset House. The good news is the exhibition has been extended to June 14. Shinya's practice spans a rich, multidisciplinary spectrum - drawing on Buddhist philosophy, Kantian epistemology, Einstein's theory of relativity, and principles of quantum mechanics. His works are at once meditative and intricate, inviting viewers to pause and contemplate the hidden dimensions of existence. Hojo Zanmai marks Artemis Art's third collaboration with Shinya, following his solo debut Katsuko (2016) and the virtual exhibition The Hanafuda Shuzuoko Collection (2020). Free admission. The exhibition is open daily, 10am-8pm. More info here. A close-up view of Wong's artwork 'Pakcik Dan Makcik' (acrylic on wood, 2025). Photo: Galeri Sasha EXHIBITION: WONG PERNG FEY'S ' Venue: Galeri Sasha, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), KL Date: ends June 21 Galeri Sasha is showing a solo exhibition by Wong Perng Fey, through to June 21. Developed between Austria and Malaysia, the show marks a tonal shift from the psychological intensity of his Beijing years toward a language of clarity, wit, and restraint. Featuring painting, sculpture, and a contemporary take on wayang kulit, the exhibition explores presence without performance - being rather than becoming. It signals a moment of arrival for Wong, placing him firmly within ongoing conversations around abstraction and self-representation. Known for his gestural style and evolving material language, the globe-trotting Wong has exhibited across Asia, with works in major collections including Khazanah Nasional, Singapore Art Museum, and Bank Negara Malaysia. He lives and works between Graz and Kuala Lumpur. More info here.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Weekend for the arts: KL Illustration Fair 2025, Dany Che Comics relaunch
KUALA LUMPUR ILLUSTRATION FAIR 2025 Venue: GMBB creative mall, Kuala Lumpur Date: ends May 4 Since opening on Thursday, KL Illustration Fair 2025 has drawn thousands to its expanded edition at GMBB creative mall. With over 180 artist booths across two floors, the fair is a youthful showcase of South-East Asian and international illustration, from zines and prints to posters, toys and art books. Visitors can chat with artists, pick up custom sketches, or catch live demos and drawing sessions throughout the day. There's also a packed line-up of talks, workshops, and exhibitions exploring illustration's role in art, publishing, fashion, and animation. A highlight this year is the showcase of emerging Malaysian illustrators, and digital art mavericks adding fresh local voices to the mix. More info here. Howard Tan's paper collage artwork titled 'Wanderlust'. Photo: Harta Space EXHIBITION: 'MORE MEN (AND A WOMAN) WITH PLANTS' Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor Date: ends May 30 If you love nature, art, or both, here's an exhibition worth checking out. More Men (And A Woman) With Plants is a group show featuring seven Penang-based artists, each presenting works inspired by plant life - a vital yet often overlooked part of our ecosystem. The line-up includes fused glass artist and co-founder of the series, Fuan Wong, alongside Ch'ng Kiah Kiean, Esther Geh, Howard Tan, IMMJN, MK Cheah, and Thomas Powell. Together, their artworks celebrate Malaysia's rich biodiversity - especially its flora - while also reflecting the nation's cultural and social diversity, something Penang is well known for. This marks the third instalment of the Men In Plants exhibition series, following earlier editions in George Town. With a mix of mediums and visual styles, the botanical exhibition is a gentle but vivid reminder that diversity, both natural and social, is what makes Malaysia truly unique. Keep an eye out for workshops and artist-led tours happening throughout the exhibition period. More info here. Ramlan Abdullah (right) shares insights on his work 'Multiplicity' during the opening of Tali Art Gallery and the 'Transmapping' exhibition last weekend. Photo: Danny Stones EXHIBITION: 'TRANSMAPPING' Venue: Tali Art Gallery, Petaling Jaya Date: ends May 24 If you find yourself wandering around Petaling Jaya in search of a fresh art spot, you're in luck. Tali Art Gallery, a new addition to the local art scene, is located in a corner lot of the Jam PJ lifestyle hub, just behind Gasket Alley Art in Section 13. It opened its doors last weekend with a debut group show titled Transmapping. Founded by Frenchman Thomas Martin, the exhibition brings together a diverse line-up, featuring local artists Ramlan Abdullah and Syahnan Anuar alongside Jean-Bernard Barsamian, Alice Dixon, Eunice Jack, Kathleen Paddoon, Agung Pramana, Kitikong Tilokwattanotai, Lea Valentin, and Marina Vandra. The show presents contemporary works from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and France in a cross-cultural dialogue. Featuring installations, paintings, sculptures, and prints, Transmapping - curated by Martin - highlights art as a medium that connects spaces, geographies, and individual perspectives. Admission is free. More info here. Husband-and-wife duo Dany Che and Danica Airish, co-founders of Dany Che Comics, are all set to relaunch their indie comic store this weekend with a fresh space and big plans for local fans. Photo: The Star/Daryl Goh BOOKSHOP EVENT: DANY CHE COMICS BOOKSHOP RELAUNCH Venue: Dany Che Comics, Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya Date: May 4 and 5 Dany Che Comics in Petaling Jaya is relaunching this weekend in a brand new, bigger space - and it's looking like a must-visit for comic book fans. The upgraded indie store now houses thousands of titles, ranging from classic superhero sagas to indie favourites and local comics. Whether you're a longtime reader or just getting into the scene, you'll find something to spark your curiosity. To mark the occasion, Dany Che Comics is also taking part in the international Free Comic Book Day event for the first time. Visitors can look forward to free issues, limited-edition releases, and a few exclusive surprises - perfect for discovering new series or picking up something special. On Sunday, local comic artists David Sundra and Uzair Rashid will be making an appearance for a meet-and-greet session, complete with signings and conversations about their creative process and upcoming projects. And yes - since it's May the 4th, you're absolutely welcome to show up in cosplay, especially if you're repping the Star Wars universe. More info here. A view of 'The Plantation Plot' exhibition at Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Ilham Gallery EXHIBITION: 'THE PLANTATION PLOT' Venue: Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur Date: ends Sept 21 The Plantation Plot is an art exhibition featuring the work of 28 artists from South-East Asia and the Americas, showing how plantations shaped the world we live in today. The exhibition, curated by Lim Sheau Yun, looks at plantations, which were big farms that grew just one kind of crop, like sugar or rubber, to sell across the globe. These farms were part of European empires that grew wealthy by using people's labor to harvest crops. The exhibition takes inspiration from Jamaican writer Sylvia Wynter, who thought of plantations not just as places, but also as stories about power and control. Plantations needed a lot of workers, many of whom were forced to travel far from their homes. For example, workers from India and Sri Lanka were sent to harvest tea, while people from the Amazon were made to collect rubber on land they already owned. Many of these workers were treated as less important than the crops they were forced to grow, and their lives were changed forever. This exhibition is a collaboration between Ilham Gallery and Kadist, a global non-profit arts organisation that uses art to spark conversation about important social issues. More info here. Kameelah's 'Air Shaft Study I–III', suspended in Wei-Ling Gallery's atrium, uses overlapping banners to explore language, space, and perception. Photo: Wei-Ling Gallery EXHIBITION: 'A COLLOQUY' Venue: Wei-Ling Gallery Kuala Lumpur Date: ends May 17 Wei-Ling Gallery presents A Colloquy, a group exhibition featuring eight contemporary artists whose practices investigate the complexities of language and typography as forms of expression. Among the highlights are the Malaysian debuts of Kameelah Janan Rasheed (United States) and Cian Dayrit (Philippines), both internationally recognised for their critical engagement with text-based art. On view through May 17, the exhibition spans the entire gallery space in Brickfields and includes works by Choy Chun Wei, H. H. Lim, Ivan Lam, Marcos Kueh, Tan Zi Hao, and Yin Yin Wong (Netherlands). Through diverse approaches - ranging from installation and painting to print and mixed media - the artists examine typography not merely as a vehicle for clarity, but as a mutable, expressive medium shaped by cultural and technological shifts. More info here. A close-up view of 'A Pop Up Book Of Endangered Wildlife In Malaysia'. Photo: Matt Made Studios BOOK LAUNCH: 'A POP UP BOOK OF ENDANGERED WILDLIFE IN MALAYSIA' Venue: Sunda Shelves, Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya Date: May 4 Papercraft studio Matt Made Studios is launching its debut children's pop-up book, A Pop Up Book Of Endangered Wildlife In Malaysia this Sunday at Sunda Shelves at 4pm. Full of colourful visuals, tactile pop-up elements, and fun facts about 10 iconic animals, such as the Malayan tiger, the tapir and the sun bear, this educational book was thoughtfully crafted to ignite curiosity and appreciation for the country's endangered wildlife among children - and the young at heart. The book is also printed on recyclable and biodegradable paper, and each copy is produced in small batches based on pre-orders to encourage mindful, sustainable production. Author Matthew Lee will be present to share his creative process and journey in papercraft. He will also be doing a demonstration on the art of papercrafting. Spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required. More info here.
