KUALA LUMPUR: Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) has unveiled the third annual Iltizam Seni exhibition, themed Alir, showcasing 22 artworks by four bumiputra artists.
The initiative also builds on more than RM180,000 in cumulative sales generated from previous editions.
The exhibition is part of Ekuinas’ corporate social responsibility arm Iltizam, with Iltizam Seni serving as an arts residency programme aimed at nurturing emerging bumiputra artists, particularly from lower-income backgrounds, and helping them transition into sustainable careers.
Designed as a training ground and launchpad, the initiative equips young artists with the structure, exposure and commercial awareness needed to navigate the art market while allowing them to retain proceeds from the sale of their works.
The latest exhibition marks the culmination of a five-month residency programme in Karak, Pahang, where participants were provided with accommodation, studio space, art supplies and a monthly allowance.
The four artists, Aliff Danial from Selangor, Ammar Idris from Kedah, Mairul Malek from Sarawak and Kahiranee Iro from Penang, underwent one-on-one creative mentorship sessions aimed at refining both their artistic direction and market readiness.
Since its introduction in 2023, the Iltizam Seni art residency programme has supported 21 emerging bumiputra artists, with proceeds from past exhibitions channelled to the artists themselves.
Ekuinas chief executive officer Aliff Omar Mohamad Omar said the initiative reflects a broader effort to position bumiputra talent within the country’s growing creative economy.
“Artistic talent, when matched with the right guidance, opportunities and networks, can generate not just cultural value, but meaningful economic impact.
“The creative economy is no longer peripheral; it is a growing driver of jobs, innovation and global influence,” he further added.
“Our role is to ensure that bumiputra talents are not left at the margins of this growth, but positioned firmly within it.”
Moreover, he said beyond artistic development, the programme places emphasis on commercial capabilities, including how artists position their work, understand market dynamics and build professional networks.
“To succeed today, artists must approach their practice with an entrepreneurial mindset.
“Iltizam Seni continues to bridge that gap, equipping participants not only creatively, but commercially,” he said.
The programme is conducted in collaboration with Sareng Gallery.
Sareng Gallery director Muhammad Syukur Rahmat Ali said art residencies play a critical role in bridging the divide between creative production and professional exposure, particularly for emerging artists.
“Furthermore, many residency programmes tend to focus on more established practitioners, leaving younger artists at a disadvantage.
“The lack of access to mentorship and guidance makes it more challenging for them to enter the market,” he said.
Ekuinas is a government-linked private equity (PE) firm mandated to promote equitable and sustainable bumiputra wealth creation and economic participation.
To date, the PE has undertaken 72 investments, of which 49 are direct investments and 23 were made through outsourced fund managers.
Its key target sectors include education, fast-moving consumer goods, oil and gas, retail, healthcare and services.
