In the bold new world of art in Malaysia, the gallery space has become more open and embracing, welcoming diverse voices, practices and audiences beyond traditional boundaries.
Kaiyi Wong is a clear example of how art and design can spark curiosity, encouraging art lovers to notice the small details of light and the spaces around them.
His debut solo exhibition What Holds The Glow on show at Core Design Gallery in Subang Jaya, Selangor, until Feb 28, has a cosy layout that lets viewers take their time and fully absorb the forms in his four artworks.
A cultural connection
Drawing on his background in architectural design and digital art, Wong’s artworks are full of subtle details that catch the eye no matter where you look.
“The intimate setting allowed me to strip things back. Without the pressure of scale, I could present the work in a more honest and fundamental way, focusing on structure and storytelling,” says Wong, 32, in a recent interview at the gallery.
“It became less about impact and more about clarity, a series that reflects where I am as an artist now and a more concise direction in my practice,” he adds.
After working on corporate commissions, large-scale installations like Moonlit Dragon (Kwai Chai Hong, Chinatown KL, 2023), the immersive The Glass Doughnut (Immersio digital art exhibition, 2023), and an elaborate Malaysian-themed mahjong set made from cengal wood, Wong made a subtle but important shift in his new work.
Wong, a British-trained architecture graduate, previously worked full-time at Studio Red Hong Yi. While steadily carving out his own niche, he gained a broader perspective on approaching art through his mentorship with the Sabahan artist.
“This exhibition gave me the chance to really reflect as an artist and create something deeply personal, shaped by my childhood memories, background, and cultural roots,” says Wong, who also runs his own practice, Unreality Studio, which blurs the borders between architectural design and art.
“Growing up in Kuantan, Chinese culture came to me in fragments – a lantern above a doorway, a prayer altar at home, a temple roof glimpsed from a moving car. These fleeting memories have shaped the way I connect with culture,” he adds.
Shifting states of calm
The works in What Holds The Glow placed around the gallery are titled Composure, Equilibrium, Axis and Stillness – states of being that can apply to both daily life and architecture.
This philosophy goes a step further as Wong references an ancient practice.
“Rather than focusing on traditional forms, my work is more deeply influenced by Song dynasty design principles.
“During the Song period, beauty was not about spectacle ... structure mattered more than decoration and calm was valued over excess,” he says.
The process of creating these works however is just as interesting as the results, as Wong frequently shares on social media, giving a glimpse into his approach.
“The works are fabricated primarily through laser cutting on metal sheets, with a small use of acrylic sheets. I intentionally kept the material palette minimal so the emphasis remains on structure, proportion and light,” says Wong.
“Each piece begins with drawings, detailed calculations, and CAD modelling to ensure precision in measurement and structural logic.
“These are translated into flat, laser-cut metal components, with light integrated as part of the structure from the beginning. All the works are assembled without welding, using only bolts and nuts,” he explains.
By keeping the artworks minimal in terms of colour and form, Wong isolates their underlying principles: modularity, axial symmetry, layered thresholds, balance and collective orientation.
“This method is inspired by the traditional dougong system in Chinese architecture, where structures relied on interlocking logic, balance and trust rather than force. By exposing the joints, the construction itself becomes part of the story.”
Ultimately, the artworks will enhance the appreciation for architecture, how it captures traditions that have endured the test of time and carry along with it cultural identity and history.
“The exhibition title brings everything together. Literally, it refers to the structure that holds the light. On a human level, it asks what holds our soul when we strip away facade and distraction. What remains is inner structure, our values, character and sense of grounding,” concludes Wong.
What Holds The Glow is on display at Core Design Gallery in Subang Jaya, Selangor, until Feb 28. Visits are by appointment only, Tuesday to Saturday.
