Weekend for the arts: 'Inventory Of Intimacies' exhibition, Jai draws at Ilham
EXHIBITION: 'INVENTORY OF INTIMACIES'

Venue: The Backroom Gallery, Zhongshan building, KL

Date: ends June 23

In The Back Room's latest group exhibition, Inventory Of Intimacies, three emerging Malaysian artists, Ang Xia Yi, Cheong See Min, and Nia Khalisa, take centre stage.

The exhibition showcases a variety of textile and fibre mediums, including pictorial patchwork quilting, weaving, and batik drawings. It also highlights the artists' unique talents and perspectives, drawing viewers into a nuanced exploration of personal and collective experiences set against the backdrop of grander societal narratives.

Inventory Of Intimacies explores how these three practices harness textiles' ability to capture the fluid and indistinct quality of memory. Unlike photography or language, which fix memory in precise representations, textiles convey impressions that appeal to the sensual side of human nature and evoke the soft comfort of nostalgia.

More info here.

This Saturday at 3pm, visitors to Ilham Gallery's Level 5 can watch Jalaini create large-scale drawings in-situ and share insights into his work. Photo: The Star/Art Chen

ACT OF DRAWING WITH JALAINI ABU HASSAN

Venue: Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

Date: June 15, 3pm

In conjunction with Ilham Gallery's current exhibition, Titik Garis Bentuk: Drawing As Practice, artist-academic Jalaini Abu Hassan will make a public appearance to share his insights on art and demonstrate his skills live.

In his decades-long practice, he is constantly in search of new processes and ways of working towards presenting a Malaysian visual vernacular, one firmly rooted in identity and culture.

A process painter, Jalaini, better known as Jai, is interested in the exploration of the act of creating a work, the exploration of materials and mediums, and the marks that form a drawing.

This Saturday, 3pm, visitors to Ilham Gallery's Level 5 can catch Jalaini in action as he creates a series of large-scale drawings in-situ while sharing some insights into his work.

Walk-ins are welcome. And don't forget to come early and check out the Titik Garis Bentuk: Drawing As Practice exhibition.

More info here.

Cheong Kiet Cheng's 'Same River' (watercolour and acrylic on canvas, 2024).Photo: Ruth Phng

EXHIBITION: CHEONG KIET CHENG'S 'FOLLOW NATURE'

Venue: Wei-Ling Gallery, Brickfields, KL

Date: ends June 29

Nature has always played a significant role in Cheong Kiet Cheng's artistic journey.

In this new exhibition, she unveils a series of artworks crafted with intricate lines and vibrant colours, drawing inspiration from nature and its organic forms. Additionally, she integrates meditation, a practice she has dedicated herself to for a decade, which enhances concentration and regulates her emotions.

As the award-winning artist once expressed, “Each time I step into the forest, I am amazed at the wholeness of nature that God has given us. From there, I obtain the inspiration, ideas, and love to create each work.”

For the first time, Cheong will be presenting live painting sessions with Zen meditation music throughout the exhibition. Viewing hours for her live sessions are from 11am to 2pm, Tuesdays through Fridays.

Visitors are encouraged to schedule an appointment for this exhibition. Contact: 03-2260-1106/Whatsapp 018-978-8827 or email siewboon@weiling-gallery.com.

More info here.

The Kuala Lumpur iteration of Ahmad Fuad's 'Archipelagic Alchemy' exhibition at A+ Works Of Art includes objects and colonial paraphernalia from the artist's personal collection. Photo: Handout

EXHIBITION: AHMAD FUAD OSMAN'S 'ARCHIPELAGIC ALCHEMY'

Venue: A+ Works of Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

Date: ends June 29

Ahmad Fuad Osman's Archipelagic Alchemy, curated by Carlos Quijon Jr, is the second in a travelling exhibition series, initially presented at the ISCP Project Space in New York from Dec 2023, to April 2024. This series explores how archipelagic conditions can reshape our understanding of global contemporaries and futures.

The exhibition examines the archipelagic framework through colonial history and futurism.

It focuses on the 17th-century exchange of New Netherland (now Manhattan) and Pulau Run (one of the Spice Islands) under the Treaty of Breda, which ended the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

Featuring a speculative documentary and archival materials collected by Ahmad Fuad, Archipelagic Alchemy offers a postcolonial perspective on this historical moment, inviting viewers to reimagine our place in the world.

The Kuala Lumpur iteration includes objects and colonial paraphernalia from the artist's personal collection. Appointments required to visit the exhibition.

More info here.

A view of the Badan Warisan Malaysia building in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout

BADAN WARISAN MALAYSIA "SUMMER" FAIR

Venue: Badan Warisan Malaysia, Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur

Date: June 15, 10am-5pm

Heritage hub Badan Warisan Malaysia is presenting its "BWM Summer Fair 2024" this Saturday. Held at its spacious bungalow in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, this vibrant celebration offers a refreshing break from the busy malls. Take this day-out experience to discover a curated selection of local artisanal products, unique artworks, trendy fashion, home decor, and preloved collections.

The venue also has a food and beverage section, allowing visitors to beat the heat with delicious local treats.

Admission is a minimum donation of RM5 per person. Don't miss this opportunity to explore and support our local heritage.

More info here.

A view of Kide Baharudin's new 'Bas No.13' series which is part of the 'Sesat Di Kuala Lumpur' exhibition. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

EXHIBITION: 'SESAT DI KUALA LUMPUR'

Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City Mall, Kuala Lumpur

Date: ends June 30

Galeri Puteh is showing Sesat Di Kuala Lumpur: Lagunya Begini, Tampaknya Begitu ... M. Nasir, an exhibition showcasing nearly 60 artists inspired by legendary Malaysian singer, songwriter, and actor Datuk M. Nasir.

The exhibition also references his song from the 1986 cult classic movie Kembara Seniman Jalanan. Each artist reimagines the themes of his music, which range from urban street life and spirituality to family, politics, Nusantara roots and more.

Running through the month of June, the exhibit features a multi-generational line-up including Rafiee Ghani, Abdullah Jones, Al-Khuzairie Ali, Samsuddin Wahab, Fendy Zakri, Najib Bamadhaj, Shafiq Nordin, Hisyamuddin Abdullah, Kide Baharudin, Ika Sharom, Mustaffa Ahmad Hidzir (aka Tapa Otai), Azad Daniel Harris, Issarezal Ismail and others.

The exhibition features a range of mediums, including paintings, mixed media art, wall installations, and photographs.

More info here.

EXHIBITION: TAJUDDIN ISMAIL'S 'RHYTHM OF NATURE'

Venue: G13 Gallery, Petaling Jaya

Date: ends June 29

G13 Gallery, in collaboration with TJ Fine Art, is showing Rhythm Of Nature, veteran artist Tajuddin Ismail’s 16th solo exhibition.

This showcase highlights Tajuddin's unique fusion of painterly gestures and his profound connection to the natural world, capturing its dynamic movement and inherent beauty.

The month-long exhibition, featuring works made between 2021 and 2024, reflects his dedication to exploring the intersection of nature and art, skillfully blending chaotic and harmonious elements to create resonant works.

Embracing painterly abstraction as his signature style, Tajuddin's innovative approach pushes the boundaries of conventional art, inviting art lovers on a journey of contemplation and appreciation for the natural rhythms that shape our world.

More info here.
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A list of arts and culture events to check out in the Klang Valley this weekend and beyond