Gallery openings are always exciting, but even more rewarding is witnessing one take shape over time. For those who have watched the KLCC skyline evolve in recent years, Ombak KLCC has become a familiar sight.
Inspired by waves and traditional weaving, the building was designed by renowned British architect Mustafa Chehabeddine. Its dramatic cantilevered form has made it a distinctive landmark in Kuala Lumpur.
As Ombak KLCC nears completion, Galeri PETRONAS – the development's flagship occupant – is preparing to begin a fresh chapter within its striking new home.
Ombak KLCC will hold its official opening in late August.
For art enthusiasts, the expanded Galeri PETRONAS is set to occupy four floors. The gallery space will include a rooftop park dedicated to outdoor installations.
“This move marks an exciting new milestone in Galeri PETRONAS’ journey. More than a physical space, it reflects our continued commitment to making contemporary art more accessible to diverse communities," said Norafizal Mat Saad, Vice President, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, PETRONAS.
"At its new home, we look forward to creating an inspiring environment where art connects people, sparks conversations and continues to shape new perspectives for generations to come," he added.
Phased launch begins
Its opening will be phased, beginning with The First Glimpse, a pop-up exhibition on the ground floor this month that offers a preview of the new Galeri PETRONAS space at Ombak KLCC.
During the run of The First Glimpse, the Galeri Cafe, Galeri Shop and dedicated art programme space will also be progressively introduced.
"Through interactive moments, we invite you to feel the pulse of this new space, to explore, reflect and engage with an exhibition that grows alongside us. You will witness a gallery in transition, evolving through three distinct lenses: Institutional, Interpersonal and Respirational," outlines a description of The First Glimpse exhibition.
"Galeri PETRONAS is still evolving, and this early chapter of our new home will not stay the same for long. The ground floor experience will continue to grow and transform over time. What you see now – open, in progress and full of possibility – exists only in this moment. Early visitors will experience the gallery differently: more closely, more personally, and as part of a story still taking shape."
Watch it unfold
Details of the main exhibitions will be announced in due course. Together, they will take visitors through six thematic stages: Prologue, Spirit and Form, Nature & Nationhood, Iconic Installation, Memory and Intervention and Emerging Pluralities Map.
As one of the nation's leading visual arts institutions, Galeri PETRONAS will engage the public throughout its transition to Ombak KLCC, culminating in its full launch next year.
Located beside KLCC Park and within walking distance of Suria KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers, Ombak KLCC is easily accessible to art enthusiasts. In the coming months, Galeri PETRONAS will present a range of public programmes and activities aimed at reconnecting with existing audiences while engaging a new generation of visitors.
For more than three decades, Galeri PETRONAS has been a key force in Malaysia’s visual arts landscape, supporting homegrown artists and introducing Kuala Lumpur audiences to acclaimed international exhibitions. Established in 1992 at the Dayabumi Complex, the gallery first opened its doors there before relocating to Suria KLCC in 1998, where it spent over two decades presenting modern and contemporary art exhibitions.
Following a temporary closure in 2021 during the pandemic, Galeri PETRONAS reopened at Suria KLCC in 2025 with renewed programmes before closing its doors there last month, paving the way for its next phase at Ombak KLCC.
