3 days ago
Sarawak artist brings climate crisis to canvas in KL exhibition
Syul with his centrepiece 'Bila Dilambung Ombak' at the gallery.
KUCHING (Aug 16): Sarawak-born artist Shamsul Hezri, better known as Syul, is making waves in the nation's art scene with his latest exhibition, 'Ambil Peduli…Sustaining What Sustains Us', which delivers a powerful visual message on climate change.
Held at Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur (AFKL) in conjunction with the 2025 United Nations World Oceans Day Conference in Nice, France, the showcase features 10 oil-on-canvas works portraying endangered species, extreme weather events, and other urgent environmental issues.
Originally scheduled to run from July 21 to Aug 15, the exhibition has been extended until this Sept 20 following an overwhelming response from the public.
The centrepiece 'Bila Dilambung Ombak' (When Struck By Waves), completed in 2019, serves as the thematic anchor of the showcase.
Syul, who has been creating artworks for nearly two decades, left a corporate career – backed by an MBA from Universiti Malaya – to pursue full-time artistry last year.
Since then, he has participated in over 10 solo and group exhibitions, including two in London last year.
Drawing inspiration from his travels and visits to renowned art galleries worldwide, Syul's works often carry layered storytelling and subtle symbolic details, spanning figurative, still life, and landscape genres.
The AFKL, a French language and cultural centre, remarked: 'We view art as a vital tool for public education, with the current exhibition serving as a platform to raise awareness on climate change.'
Visitors can view the exhibition at AFKL's premises at 15, Lorong Gurney in Kuala Lumpur.
More information about the artist can be found on Instagram @syulhezri, or via ART climate change lead Shamsul Hezri
