Latest news with #PatWohAssociationMalaysia
The Star
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Muzium Negara exhibition celebrates Chinese opera heritage in Malaysia
With bold makeup, towering headpieces, grand robes and stories passed down through generations, traditional Chinese opera is a spectacle like no other – and now you can experience it up close. At the Chinese Opera: An Introduction And Remembrance exhibition, now on at Galeri 1, Muzium Negara (National Museum) in Kuala Lumpur until Sept 8, culture lovers and curious visitors alike can take a journey through the rich history and cultural evolution of this traditional performing art in Malaysia. This showcase is a collaboration between Muzium Negara and KL's Pat Woh Association Malaysia, a cultural arts group dedicated to keeping the spirit of Cantonese opera alive. On display are over 90 artefacts, from rare costumes and antique headgear to handwritten scripts, musical instruments, and performance props. 'The artefacts on display are primarily owned by the Pat Woh Association, its individual members, as well as a sister association, reflecting a shared effort within the community to preserve and showcase these cultural treasures,' says Lim Choo Leong, deputy honorary secretary of Pat Woh Association Malaysia. Visitors view Cantonese opera costumes (from left): Dai Hon Zong, Jyun Ling, and Mui Heung Saam. Photo: The Star/Art Chen 'Almost all the items in the exhibition are rarely seen by the general public today. These include traditional costumes, headdresses, stage props, and musical instruments that are seldom brought out from private collections or storerooms, making the exhibition a unique opportunity to experience them up close,' he says. Exhibition coordinator Tang Yen Yen says the show came together through archival material and oral histories from those who lived the tradition – helping preserve and share the story of Chinese opera in Malaysia for future generations. 'The roots of Malaysian Chinese opera go back to the 19th century, when immigrants from southern China settled here, bringing their customs, beliefs, and operatic traditions,' says Tang. 'Early performance styles were shaped by Cantonese and Teochew opera,' she adds. An installation offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of where Chinese opera performers get into costume and apply their make-up. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Chinese opera in Malaysia isn't confined to a single dialect or tradition – it mirrors the diversity of the Chinese diaspora and the country's multicultural environment. 'In Malaysia, Chinese opera is performed in various dialects such as Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka and Hainan, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the Chinese community here. The performances are tied to local festivals, religious events and community celebrations, serving not only as a form of entertainment but also as an expression of cultural identity and heritage,' says Tang. Opera treasures One of the exhibition highlights, Tang notes, is the display of rare, historical costumes and accessories used in actual performances. 'Among them is a bodyguard costume from the story of Justice Bao, believed to be over 70 years old and hand-stitched with intricate detail. This character is known for his loyalty and strength, and the costume reflects that through its bold, structured design. 'There's also Justice Bao's 'Black Mang' robe, over 50 years old, traditionally worn by upright judges or officials in Chinese opera. Its refined embroidery and heavy fabric represent authority and moral integrity, and showcase a level of craftsmanship rarely seen today,' she says. Apart from costumes and instruments, the exhibition also features handwritten Chinese opera scripts and literary works. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Other exhibits include handwritten scripts, some dating back decades, showing the evolution of Chinese writing systems and storytelling methods. Visitors can also admire antique headgear, each piece crafted to reflect the rank, role or personality of operatic characters – from warriors and nobles to deities and scholars. The exhibition underlines how Chinese opera was once a communal experience. Performances were held in temples, school grounds and public squares, often sponsored by local associations and patrons. Yet, like many traditional art forms, Chinese opera in Malaysia faces an uncertain future today. 'Chinese opera today faces the challenge of sustaining itself for future generations. While it is still performed during specific cultural festivities and celebrations, this alone is not enough to ensure its survival,' says Tang. She adds that the exhibition serves as both a tribute to the past and a call to action for the future. Welcoming the masses With its line-up of public programmes, Muzium Negara hopes exhibitions like this will spark curiosity and inspire a new appreciation for traditional performing arts, especially among younger audiences. 'This isn't the first time the museum has hosted a Chinese opera exhibition,' says Noor Wahida, Muzium Negara assistant curator of exhibitions and development division. Visitors can discover Chinese opera in Malaysia through video exhibits and interactive displays. Photo: The Star/Art Chen 'But this time, it's more interactive and in-depth – with live performances, mask workshops, makeup demos by actors, and oral sharing by veteran artists alongside the costumes and history,' she adds. The exhibition also features programmes for schools and universities, including guided tours, Q&A sessions, and backstage make-up demos to reveal the intricacies of stage preparation. Special public events are lined up too. On Aug 9, the Pat Woh Association Malaysia will host a Chinese opera makeup demo, music performance, and excerpts from three classic Cantonese plays. On Aug 16, there's a free "Children's Cantonese Opera Workshop" to introduce young participants to the basics of the art form. 'This initiative creates space for the younger generation to experience Chinese opera in a more contemporary way and connect with it. Through live performances and interactive activities, they're not just spectators – they also gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values behind the art,' says Noor. The exhibition also showcases a range of traditional Chinese opera musical instruments. Photo: The Star/Art Chen The Chinese Opera exhibition fits perfectly with the spirit of Merdeka month and the upcoming Malaysia Day celebrations. But once it ends, it's hard to say when the public will get another chance to see these cultural treasures up close. Tang agrees that while it's important to have such exhibitions, it's equally crucial to keep the art form alive through regular performances and community engagement. 'To truly preserve and revitalise the art form, greater support is needed, including dedicated venues where Chinese opera and other traditional cultural arts can be actively and regularly performed. "Beyond financial aid and infrastructure, fostering public awareness is vital. The community must recognise that the arts are not just entertainment, but an integral part of our cultural identity and heritage,' she concludes. Chinese Opera: An Introduction And A Remembrance exhibition is showing at Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur until Sept 8. Free admission.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Weekend for the arts: 'Chinese Opera' exhibition, 'No Jit?' roundtable
CHINESE OPERA EXHIBITION: AN INTRODUCTION AND A REMEMBRANCE Venue: Galeri 1, Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur The newly opened Chinese Opera Exhibition: An Introduction And A Remembrance at Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur takes visitors into the vivid world of traditional Chinese opera – with its legendary tales, striking costumes, delicate props, and timeless music. This special showcase is a collaboration between Muzium Negara and the Pat Woh Association Malaysia, a KL-based group known for preserving and promoting Cantonese opera. It also how Malaysian Chinese opera draws from the Xiqu tradition, blending stylised acting, singing, graceful movement, and symbolic props. Visitors can also learn about Malaysia's own opera legends – Siew Chan Wan (1919–2022) and Choo Sau Ying (1927–2003) – whose dedication kept the art form alive for future generations. Choy Him Heong, now 92, continues to be a living link to this enduring tradition. From ornate headgear to hand-painted backdrops, intricate musical instruments to archival photographs, each display – there are more than 90 exhibits – reminds us how Chinese opera has long served as both entertainment and living heritage for generations of local communities. Visitors can also explore a section dedicated to these instruments, from the erhu and yangqin to modern additions like the saxophone. For a taste of the art form in action, the Pat Woh Association Malaysia's opera troupe will give a special live performance at Muzium Negara tomorrow (July 12) at noon. Admission free. More info here. A view of Sanan Anuar's new works - acrylic and screen printing - at the 'Outside-In' trio exhibition at Galeri Sasha in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Galeri Sasha Venue: Galeri Sasha, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur Outside-In , opening tomorrow at Galeri Sasha, presents new works by Fauzan Fuad, Dhavinder Singh and Sanan Anuar - three Malaysian artists whose practices unfold away from the institutional art world. The title gestures toward thresholds: between private and public, interior and exterior, centre and margin. Through painting and mixed media, each artist turns inward, drawing from solitude and memory to explore how the self is shaped by its surroundings. In part, Outside-In is a reflection on artistic position. Fauzan and Sanan are self-taught, while Dhavinder works in Penang, outside the country's main art hubs. Their practices evolve in quiet isolation, where distance becomes generative - allowing space for alternative languages and quiet acts of resistance. Rather than declarations from the centre, these works offer an interior weather: subtle, personal, and clarifying. They remind us that distance can be both isolating and deeply illuminating. More info here. Pangrok Sulap's latest exhibition 'The Sound of Salience' is a survey of its bold, woodcut visions that reveal collective voices and social truths. Photo: The Star/Chan Tak Kong EXHIBITION: PANGROK SULAP's 'THE SOUND OF SALIENCE' Venue: Tali Art Gallery, Petaling Jaya Tali Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition featuring Sabahan art collective Pangrok Sulap's distinctive woodcut aesthetic, with works dating back to 2017 and also a series developed in Hong Kong. Titled The Sound Of Salience , the exhibition presents eight main works and assorted prints that showcase Pangrok Sulap's signature fusion of social commentary and participatory printmaking. Renowned for using art as a vehicle for social commentary, the collective's works serve as a bridge between communities and pressing issues like climate change, land rights, cultural identity, and sovereignty. It's been increasingly difficult to catch the group's work in the Klang Valley, as Pangrok Sulap has been actively involved in residencies and exhibitions abroad - most recently with a strong showing at the University of Tennessee in the United States in March, and a community art festival in Patani, southern Thailand last month. Formed in 2010, Pangrok Sulap is made up of artists, musicians, printmakers, and activists. Free admission exhibition. More info here. The multi-layered theatre career of the late Jit Murad (1960-2022) takes centre stage at the 'No Jit?' roundtable discussion tomorrow (July 12) at Aswara, Kuala Lumpur - part of the ongoing JitFest 2025 programme. Photo: Filepic JITFEST 2025: 'NO JIT?' - ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Venue: Main Lecture Hall, Aswara, Kuala Lumpur After the triumphant theatre return of the late Jit Murad's Visits last month, JitFest 2025 shifts gears with an academic focus tomorrow morning. Titled No Jit?, this roundtable discussion (10.30am at Aswara), organised by Dramalab and Aswara, asks why there is so little sustained public discourse on Jit and his body of work beyond the occasional media feature. The panel brings together academics, writers, and theatre practitioners — all inspired by Jit's work. No Jit? will be moderated by Dr Niki Cheong, with speakers including Dr Susan Philip, who will examine Jit's work through a literary lens; Dr Ann Lee, who will discuss humour and comedy; and Fasyali Fadzly, who will reflect on theatre history and Jit's impact on Malaysian storytelling. Kam Raslan will sit in as the respondent. The session will probe deeper questions: is the silence about Jit himself and his works, the state of English-language theatre, or a wider reluctance to engage critically with theatre in Malaysia at all? Free admission event, but registration is required. More info here. Artist Lyne Ismail with the 'Energy Series (The Boy)' series, on display at Temu House. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong EXHIBITION: LYNE ISMAIL'S 'CAT TOWN: ENERGY, MATTER, AND THE ART OF BECOMING' Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Cat Town: Energy, Matter And The Art Of Becoming brings science and art into thoughtful, immersive dialogue. Visual artist, material scientist, and academic Lyne Ismail invites viewers to explore abstraction, sensory perception, and expansive ideas through the lens of resonance and transformation. On view is a new series of large abstract paintings alongside a live cymatic installation, where water responds to sound and vibration by forming intricate, mandala-like patterns. By making resonance visible, Lyne encourages viewers to feel their way into meaning, rather than decode it intellectually. The exhibition also expands on her book Musings Of The Spring Water, launching in tandem with the show. Together, they offer a sensory and reflective journey into energy, intuition, and the act of becoming. This Sunday (July 13, 3pm), Lyne reads from the book and shares personal reflections on the thoughts, intuitions, and inner movements that shape her writing and artistic practice. More info here. Alice Chang bridges art and history in 'Me, Then Blue', her new solo exhibition at Lai Lai Art Studio in Ampang. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong EXHIBITION: ALICE CHANG'S 'ME, THEN BLUE' Venue: Lai Lai Art Gallery, Ampang, Selangor In her fifth solo exhibition, Me, Then Blue, artist-sculptor Alice Chang shows us that there's beauty even in the broken, taking viewers into "the deep sea" by immersing the gallery in a mesmerising blue light. The exhibition was inspired by the Wanli shipwreck, discovered by fishermen off the coast of Terengganu in the 1990s. After learning about it in 2019 and acquiring several bags of broken porcelain salvaged from the wreck, Chang decided to breathe new life into the fragments by transforming them into new sculptures. The exhibition features these sculptures, alongside a series of expressive blue-and-white paintings that reflect Chang's personal interpretation of these centuries-old artefacts and their enduring journey through time. More info here. Ain (left) shares the inspiration behind her new 'Atas Pagar' series - a cut-up house grille. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli EXHIBITION: AIN'S 'ATAS PAGAR' Venue: The Back Room, Zhongshan building, Kuala Lumpur Newcomer artist Ain takes the spotlight at The Back Room gallery with her second solo exhibition, Atas Pagar. Quiet and contemplative, the show is filled with the ashes of memories, comprising a series of new works in Ain's ash painting series, which sees her creating small paintings out of ceramic ash and pigments. The fragile nature of the paintings and their vulnerability to disintegration are part of the artist's ongoing concerns with memory and family history. The exhibition takes its cue from an incident not too long ago when her grandmother's house in Kuantan, Pahang, was broken into. The way the burglar had cleanly cut through the metal grille over the kitchen window to enter the house stuck in Ain's imagination, which is why she also included said grille as part of the show. Born in Bangkok and raised across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan, Ain draws on her diasporic upbringing in a practice that spans video, sculpture, painting, and installation. More info here.
