Figurines from the popular 1990s animated series 'Usop Sontorian' on display at the 'Malaysian Animation: From Idea To Reality' exhibition, now showing at Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: ‘MALAYSIAN ANIMATION: FROM IDEA TO REALITY'
Venue: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Jan 31
Here's a fun exhibition for the whole family. Who hasn’t grown up with beloved TV cartoons like Hikayat Sang Kancil, Usop Sontorian, Keluang Man, Kampung Boy, or Didi & Friends? These iconic series have captured the imagination of generations of Malaysians.
Now, the Malaysian Animation Society (Animas), with support from the Department of Museums Malaysia, presents Malaysian Animation: From Idea To Reality, an exhibition at Muzium Negara (National Museum) running until Jan 31.
This immersive showcase aims to present the journey of Malaysia’s animation industry, highlighting its evolution from creative concepts to cutting-edge visual storytelling.Visitors can explore how technology, art, and local culture have shaped the industry, through a collection of sketches, personal works, and artefacts from renowned cartoonists like Datuk Lat and Mohamed Khairi Ibrahim (Aie Ibrahim).
The exhibition also celebrates the achievements of pioneers such as Kamarudin Ismail (Kamn Ismail), Ibrahim Anon (Ujang), and Datuk Othman Yusof (Datuk MOY), whose dedication and creativity turned bold ideas into animated realities.
More info here.
The 'Le Petit Prince: The Immersive Journey' exhibition is showing at the Fahrenheit88 mall in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: 'LE PETIT PRINCE: THE IMMERSIVE JOURNEY'
Venue: Level 3, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 21, 2025
Here is another timeless tale given the exhibition walkthrough experience. In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, step into the enchanting world of Le Petit Prince: The Immersive Journey, where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved tale comes alive in a fun and vibrant exhibition at the Fahrenheit88 mall.
This exhibition brings the whimsical characters and iconic illustrations of The Little Prince to life, inviting visitors to journey through its magical universe.
Celebrated globally for its timeless wisdom, the story explores themes of love, loss, and the childlike wonder of seeing the world anew. Its poetic simplicity and profound reflections on human nature have made it one of the most translated and cherished books in history.
Visitors can wander through projections, feeling as though they’re traversing the prince’s tiny planet, meeting its beloved characters along the way.
Exhibition highlights include “The Story That Took Flight,” “The Pilot and His Little Prince,” “From B612 to the Stars,” and “You Are Unique to Me,” each offering a captivating glimpse into this timeless masterpiece.
More info here.
A view of Amar's work titled 'Loadbearers 1 – Tandu', which is part of his exhibition 'Pax Colonia' at Galeri Puteh in KL. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: AMAR SHAHID’S ‘PAX COLONIA: NAVIGATING POSTCOLONIAL LEGACIES’
Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Jan 5
Galeri Puteh closes the year with an intriguing exhibition by artist Amar Shahid, who revisits the region's rich history through the medium of cyanotype, marking his first solo exploration of this artistic technique.
Featuring over 30 works on paper and canvas, the collection spans intimate small-scale pieces to bold, larger compositions. Anchored in cyanotype, Amar draws from the Colonial Public Archive, with a focus on the Leiden University Archives in Amsterdam, revisiting photographs from the colonial era in Malaya and Indonesia.
Originally tools of documentation and control, these archival images are reimagined with meticulous hand-tinting and painted layers, transforming them into vibrant, layered mixed-media works.
Amar’s art confronts colonial legacies, illustrating how they continue to influence the way we think, live, and act. By reinterpreting these historical photographs, he provokes us to reconsider the enduring impact of colonialism and questions whether we truly exist in a “post-colonial” world.
More info here.
Photography is part of the 'Jiwa Membumi: The Soul Of The Land' show at BNM Museum and Art Gallery, celebrating Malaysia's rural roots and cultural heritage. Photo: BNM MAG
EXHIBITION: 'JIWA MEMBUMI: THE SOUL OF THE LAND'
Venue: Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Feb 25, 2025
Craving that certain rustic charm? Jiwa Membumi: The Soul Of The Land, a newly opened exhibition at BNM Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG), celebrates Malaysia’s rural roots and vibrant cultural heritage.
The exhibition highlights the enduring connection between nature, culture, and village life through photography, paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations.
It features works by 12 Malaysian photographers and artists, including Eric Peris, Alan Ng, Ariff Awaluddin, Soraya Yusof, Azman Karib, Azul Adnan, Chong Kok Choon, Grace Ho, Grez Chan, Nora Yusuf, Supian Ahmad, and Hariz Hamdan.
This collection begins with photography and evolves into innovative expressions inspired by the artists’ reflections, experiences, and journeys to distant locales.
Visitors can immerse themselves in scenes of clear night skies, the village surau, vintage road signs, and the timeless charm of the countryside, reflecting how traditional life continues to shape modern Malaysia.
Free admission exhibition.
More info here.
The 'Telepuk: The Art Of Gold Leaf' exhibition at the National Textile Museum offers a deep dive into the artistry and heritage of telepuk textiles. Photo: National Textile Museum
EXHIBITION: 'TELEPUK: THE ART OF GOLD LEAF'
Venue: National Textile Museum, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Dec 31
It is the last few days to catch one of the year’s most eye-catching textile exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur. So be quick!
Showing at the National Textile Museum’s Gallery Saindera until Dec 31, Telepuk: The Art Of Gold Leaf is a deep dive into the artistry and heritage of telepuk textiles.
Divided into five curated segments, the exhibit features an impressive 183 collections, including 49 exquisite examples of telepuk textiles, 130 intricately crafted telepuk stamps, and a selection of manuscripts and publications that provide rich historical context.
The term telepuk itself carries poetic origins. In ancient Malay literature, it referred to the lotus flower, but its meaning evolved over time. Some suggest it describes the floral stamps used in creating the textiles, while others believe it captures the shimmering golden patterns that adorn the fabric, evoking the image of sunlight dancing on lotus petals atop tranquil waters.
This exhibition (ticketed) offers not just a glimpse into a traditional craft but also a window into the cultural and artistic soul of the region.
More info here.
A general view of the 'Oceans That Speak' exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Izzrafiq Alias
EXHIBITION: 'OCEANS THAT SPEAK: ISLAM AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE MALAY WORLD'
Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends June 15, 2025
Discover the rich history of maritime trade at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur through a new exhibition (ticketed) spotlighting the Malay world’s central role in connecting East and West.
This exhibition showcases the Malay Archipelago as a vibrant hub of trade and cultural exchange, tracing the spread of Islam and its enduring impact on art and society.
An array of artefacts, manuscripts, and artworks - from the IAMM collection - reveal how Islamic influences travelled from the Indian Subcontinent, China, and the Middle East, shaping a thriving Islamic civilisation led by sultans, scholars, and artists.
Highlights include stories of ports like Melaka, key crossroads for 15th- and 16th-century trade in spices and tin, where Islam arrived with merchants and scholars from Hadhramaut and Gujarat, leaving a profound spiritual and cultural legacy.
More info here.
