Exhibitions must evolve to remain important, say Malaysian art gallery owners

Closer to the masses: The Back Room KL exhibited artworks outside its gallery space, using the balconies of the Zhongshan building to display art from its 'Carving Reality' show last November. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli

The past year of multiple rounds of movement control orders (MCO) and gallery closures has hit the Malaysian art gallery community hard. It has been an uphill task for some art spaces just to keep afloat, with many curve balls thrown their way.

But behind those closed doors, many art galleries around in the Klang Valley have been working hard to rise above the crisis, mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their businesses and keep art appreciation alive during these trying times.