A new film installation titled 'Meet Us At The Ridge' by Ekin Kee Charles will be on view at Ilham Gallery (level 3 space) in KL from March 15-30. Photo: Ilham Gallery
EXHIBITION: 'MEET US AT THE RIDGE"
Venue: Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: March 15-30
This month, Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur is highlighting a new film installation work titled Meet Us At The Ridge by Ekin Kee Charles, an Indigenous filmmaker-writer from Kota Marudu, Sabah.
The (free admission) show, which will be on view at Ilham Gallery’s Level 3 space, is presented in collaboration with the Han Nefkens Foundation, a Barcelona-based organisation that supports emerging international video artists through awards, production grants and mentorship grants.
Charles, from the Kimaragang ethnic group, received the Han Nefkens Foundation-Loop Barcelona Video Art Production Award in 2022.
For the Ilham Gallery showcase, she will be showcasing Meet Us At The Ridge : 6.0753° N, 116.5588° E and Peacelands, both single-channel video works produced last year.
In Meet Us At The Ridge, an eight-minute reflection on faith and self-exploration, Charles, 28, presents an intimate dialogue about a woman’s growing disconnect from her roots.
The exhibition notes mention that a year ago, the filmmaker’s paternal family planned a “mongukas” ceremony, which is part of a ritual honouring the dead. Traditionally, a buffalo is sacrificed and its meat is shared among family members, while the head is offered at the grave. When her parents chose to forgo the ritual, she felt frustrated by her inability to challenge the decision or uphold the tradition herself.
Peacelands (12 minutes) tells the story of Rena, Mina and Joni, fashionable best friends in their 60s, who hitchhike on an illegal truck from their distant village to make the long journey to town. They are going to purchase monthly household goods and to convince Rena’s daughter to come home.
On March 15, the exhibition opens with film screenings at 3pm, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Charles, moderated by filmmaker and journalist Rahmah Pauzi.
More info here.
During Bazar Seni Aidilfitri, Pakha Sulaiman will loan select artworks for a pop-up exhibition at The Project Room, UR-MU, The Toffee, KL, offering visitors a rare chance to experience his collection up close. Photo: Pakha Sulaiman
ARTS MARKET: 'BAZAR SENI ADILFITRI'
Venue: UR-MU, The Toffee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur
Date: March 15 and 16, March 22 and 23
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at Bazar Seni Aidilfitri, taking place at The Project Room at UR-MU, The Toffee over the next two weekends. This arts-centered market will bring together a diverse range of vendors, offering an art exhibition, fashion, accessories, traditional desserts, and Raya essentials.
For art enthusiasts, the bazaar features a series of hands-on workshops with local artists. Highlights include the Amron Omar Figure Drawing Workshop, where participants can explore the human form through expressive sketches. Watercolor sessions led by Hisham Salmin and Aminah Abdul Rahman will provide insights into the delicate techniques of watercolor painting. Additionally, a batik printing activity invites visitors to engage with this traditional craft and create their own beautifully patterned textiles.
As a special highlight, visitors will also have the rare opportunity to view an exclusive display of Pakha Sulaiman’s private art collection, offering a glimpse into the works of renowned artists.
More info here.
A visitor takes a photo of a mask artwork at 'The Guardians Of The Rainforest' exhibition, featuring artist duo Hannah Bhatt and Venice Foo. Photo: Chan Tak Kong/The Star
EXHIBITION: 'THE GUARDIANS OF THE RAINFOREST' BY HANNAH BHATT AND VENICE FOO
Venue: House of Oma, Bukit Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 23
What if we could see the spirits of the rainforest? And how would they appear to us? Sabahan artists Hannah Bhatt and Venice Foo (ChauXhien) bring these unseen guardians into the tangible world in The Guardians Of The Rainforest, a collaborative exhibition.
Drawing from childhood memories and folklore, this collection of 14 ceramic and textile sculptures is inspired by stories passed down through generations – whispers of spirits who protect, punish, or simply observe – which shaped the artists’ understanding of the rainforest as a living, sentient entity.
Through intricate ceramics adorned with embroidery and beadwork, Bhatt and Foo imagine how these guardians might look if they revealed themselves: some protective, some mischievous, and others lingering at the edges of perception. Free admission. Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 1pm – midnight.
More info here.
Young artist Cheong Zhen Yao with his painting, which is part of the 'Windows Of The Heart' exhibition. Photo: Lai Lai Art Gallery
EXHIBITION: 'WINDOWS OF THE HEART'
Venue: Lai Lai Art Gallery, Ampang, Selangor
Date: March 14-16
Have you ever gazed out of a window, lost in memories of the past or dreams of the future? A unique and heartwarming exhibition, "Windows of the Heart: A Cross-Generational Art Exhibition," invites you to do just that — through the eyes of artists spanning generations.
Held this weekend at Lai Lai Art Gallery, Ampang, this exhibition is free and open to the public.
Jointly organised by Fang Yuan Art Gallery and Bu Huo Life Academy, the exhibition brings together 93 self-taught artists aged five to 82 years old - from seniors and middle-aged art enthusiasts to young creative students. Inspired by the theme of "windows," the artists present 130 paintings and 60 ceramic and installation artworks, offering glimpses into their life experiences, emotions, aspirations, and treasured memories.
On March 15, the exhibition will come alive with a series of public activities, including storytelling sessions, an art workshop, and a pop-up handmade arts and crafts market. Free admission.
More info here.
Sabahan spoken word artiste Jeremy Chong performing at a community poetry event, organised by Jalan Dalam. Photo: Handout
POETRY, MUSIC: JALAN DALAM OPEN MIC NIGHT
Venue: Jalan Negara Kita, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur
Date: March 15, 8.30pm
Arts collective Jalan Dalam’s monthly open mic returns for its third edition of the year, continuing to provide a platform for aspiring creatives - even during Ramadhan.
Audiences can look forward to an evening of poetry, music, and comedy, featuring a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. The event takes place in the Jalan Negara Kita (JNK) alley, a space adorned with a fabric installation that fosters a welcoming atmosphere for self-expression and grassroots artistic growth.
Beyond the open mic, the JNK community invites you to explore more cultural activities leading up to Hari Raya. Over the next two weekends, they will host a Kad Raya and Ketupat Weaving workshop, celebrating creativity and tradition.
Admission is free.
More info here.
A close-up of Dhani Illiani Yusof's 'Poesy' (2025), a conceptual photograph on chiffon, voile, and cotton, featuring beaded embellishments and text embroidery. Photo: Cult Gallery
EXHIBITION: 'BERSERI KANDI' WOMEN'S SHOW 2025
Venue: Cult Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 23
Taking inspiration from the wordplay of "berseri” (radiance) and “kandi” (the legendary warrior), this group show at Cult Gallery celebrates resilience and defiance in all its forms - one that radiates and nurtures its surrounding.
"Through various artistic expressions, the show reflects on identity, autonomy, and the evolving roles of women in an ever-changing world. The featured artists boldly reclaim narratives, pushing past societal confines to exist authentically and unapologetically," reads the exhibition notes.
The line-up brings together 17 women artists, spanning generations – from esteemed veterans like Ilse Noor to established names such as Bibi Chew, Umibaizurah Mahir Ismail, Chong Ai Lei, and Anniketyni Madian, all the way to contemporary voices like Kimberley Boudville, Siti Gunong, Binti, and Dhan Illiani Yusof.
More info here.
