If someone had told you that six Art Deco shophouses in Medan Pasar, tucked near the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, could one day become a destination for art and culture, you might have raised an eyebrow.
But that unlikely idea is slowly becoming a reality, as an ambitious gallery project takes shape in one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and most characterful corners.
The countdown is on, with Muara Arts announcing the opening of its gallery dedicated to South-East Asian modern and contemporary art on Nov 1.
Located beside Kuala Lumpur’s riverside market square, the gallery anchors the cultural revitalisation of the city’s only public square, repurposing a row of early 20th-century shophouses at Medan Pasar (or Old Market Square as it appears in the history books). The gallery spans approximately 1,858sq m.
It could well be a scene from a movie – another romantic heritage spot, reminiscent of the grand Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad nearby.
The non‑profit initiative, established under Creador Foundation, is led by Shanthi Kandiah and Brahmal Vasudevan, who is overseeing the restoration of the historic buildings. The gallery is designed by Dr Tan LM Architect and Sean Carpenter of Linear Vista, retaining the buildings’ historic character while incorporating museum-standard facilities.
“We revitalised these buildings at the place where Kuala Lumpur began – a square once occupied by banks and finance houses. It is a fitting transformation: spaces that once held the city’s financial capital – now given over to its cultural capital. Our hope is that Medan Pasar becomes a true hub for regional artistic life,” said Shanthi and Brahmal, founders of Muara Arts, in a joint statement.
An accompanying project, Muara Arts Theatre, is scheduled to open in 2029. It features a 345-seat proscenium auditorium, a 190-seat black box, rehearsal spaces and a two-storey art gallery.
Connected to the region
Muara Arts, Creador’s flagship cultural project of the year, will present a rotating programme of South-East Asian art, including solo exhibitions, group shows and new commissions.
It will open in November with A-Z Of South-East Asian Art: A Critical Dictionary, a group exhibition examining the complexities of contemporary South-East Asia.
Inspired by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s The Critical Dictionary Of Southeast Asia (2017–ongoing), it brings together works by more than 40 artists across painting, sculpture, textiles, installation, video and works on paper, each responding to a term that resonates with the region’s culture, ecology, geography, history and politics.
The curatorial team, comprising international and homegrown talent, has been assembled with a global perspective.
Lydia Yee, Muara Arts consultant artistic director, brings three decades of experience, including senior roles at museums and public galleries in London and New York, to the broader vision of creating a cultural district comprising a gallery, theatre, outdoor events, shops and more.
“This is a remarkable moment for art in South-East Asia, and Muara Arts has been conceived to capture it. Like the confluence of rivers from which it takes its name, the gallery is a meeting point; a place where artists from across the region, including those of the diaspora, can return, exchange knowledge and forge new collaborations,” said Yee, formerly chief curator of Whitechapel Gallery in London.
Ahead of Muara Arts’ opening, the "Bersuara di Muara" public talk series will continue following its launch event with British artist Sir Antony Gormley in April.
Two further satellite events will be held at nearby Menara Pacific Place, formerly Menara HSBC, including the Oct 10 launch of Medan Pasar: The Old Market Square Of Kuala Lumpur, the latest book by architectural historian Robert Powell.
On Nov 1, Vietnamese curator and writer Ace Le will join entrepreneur, collector and Muara Arts co-founder Brahmal for a conversation.
Medan Pasar is one component of the broader public-private Warisan KL initiative, which encompasses Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Dataran Merdeka, the Menara Merdeka Maybank (previously known as Merdeka 118) precinct and the Masjid Jamek enclave.
