2019 in review: The Malaysian art scene's 5 most important stories

The 'Leonardo Opera Omnia' digital reproduction exhibition at the National Art Gallery in KL in July attracted nearly 90,000 visitors in a month. No prizes for guessing which was the most photographed work in this Leonard da Vinci show. Photo: Bernama

Three shows at the National Art Gallery (NAG) this year can probably answer that question. The first: At The End Of The Day Even Art Is Not Important at the National Art Gallery marks a milestone in contemporary artist Ahmad Fuad Osman’s career.

It is an epic – yet thoughtfully structured – mid-career survey exhibition that charts his evolution as an artist, highlighting his iconic works, including paintings, sculptures, installation and video work. You get to revisit Ahmad Fuad’s past chapters, while leaving the gallery, knowing this Malaysian artist has more good years to come. A new standard has been set by this show, curated by Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, a senior curator at the National Gallery Singapore.