The 2026 artwork submitted by Afi Sulaiman, who has participated in the Projek SembangSembang calendar series since its pandemic days. Photo: Afi Sulaiman
The new year is here, and with it comes a fresh calendar. Projek SembangSembang’s annual edition is worth exploring, featuring exclusive artworks by Malaysian illustrators, designers, and artists.
This year, the colourful booklet calendar series “365 HARIhari” celebrates its fifth edition.
For illustrator and creative entrepreneur Aqilah Aminuddin, who guided the project since its Covid 19 pandemic days, showcasing local artists’ works is one of the best ways to support one another.
“As a group, we believe in making something for memorable occasions, and the new year is one of those that we have come to celebrate diligently. We love that through this (project), we’re able to make new friends and keep old friends,” she says.
This latest calendar also came together online - a nod to the lockdown era - with each artist following the theme and meeting the deadline.
CultKids' artwork for the 2026 calendar, which says, 'Against all cobaan (challenges) and rintangan hidup dunia (the daily obstacles in life). Photo: CultKids
Aqilah, who runs the Mari Ke Kedai pop culture store in Tamarind Square, Cyberjaya, said a booklet calendar was an ideal medium because it’s both useful and functional.
“Our booklet calendar can be a compact planner that you can carry with you everywhere, thanks to its size and weight. You can also transform it into a wall calendar with a simple paper clip or even a desk calendar with an additional stand,” she says.
For the 2026 calendar, Projek SembangSembang brought together popular artists you might follow on Instagram or have seen at events like the Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair, including Bunga Dan Bintang, Studio Sunprint, CultKids, Myasquerade, Graphnin, Super Duper! Mediocre, Ke Ai De Ke, Wednesday Gala, Afi Sulaiman, and Munsya.
Each year, the calendar follows a theme that guides the selected artists in creating unique works for the project. This year’s theme, ‘Yes, ... but ...,’ invited artists to fill in the blanks with their own interpretations.
Bunga Dan Bintang's response to the theme was, 'Yes, work hard as you can, but rest just as sweetly.' Photo: Projek SembangSembang
“Everyone was asked to come up with an artwork that best reflected their understanding of saying ‘yes, but ...’ in situations we face daily," says Aqilah.
Illustrator CultKids, aka Syazri Zamrod, is known for nostalgic designs inspired by vintage Malaysian music and films. He’s contributed to the Projek SembangSembang calendar since 2023.
For this year's theme, he responded: “Yes, life is tough, but so am I. Against all cobaan (challenges)!”
He says the independent project has been a wonderful way to connect with and appreciate the work of talented local artists.
“Everyone brings their own unique style and design, all compiled into a single booklet. It’s like a rojak (combination) of Malaysian creativity, coming together in one calendar," says CultKids.
Projek SembangSembang’s annual calendar, '365 HARIhari,' features a collaborative artwork by a local artist for each month. Photo: Projek SembangSembang
“Seeing the finished product fills me with pride and excitement, and it’s been even more rewarding to receive positive feedback from those who have bought the calendar,” he adds.
As for artist Afi Sulaiman, she went with, “Yes, I’m older, but I’m better,” as she reflects on turning 30 this year.
She drew inspiration from society’s view of ageing, often seen as something frightening and a reminder that youth is fleeting.
"Some of us may think we’re missing out on doing the things we should be doing in our prime, yet another way of looking at it is that we’re also closer to being a better version of ourselves every day because of our life experiences, from the milestones we reach to the lessons we’ve learnt, so it’s still worth celebrating!” says Afi.
If you’re interested in getting a copy of the calendar, check out Projek SembangSembang’s social media accounts for more info.
