WHILE unity is often celebrated with parades and patriotic songs in the lead-up to National Day, art too can offer a powerful way to express love for the country.
But for many local artists, gaining visibility remains a challenge as they compete for attention in a fast-paced, digital-first world.
Intermark Mall in Kuala Lumpur launched its “Serasa Merdeka” campaign in collaboration with INTI Centre of Art and Design (Icad) in an effort to address this gap.
The campaign, which runs until Sept 7, celebrates homegrown talent through a bazaar, exhibitions and interactive activities.
It brings together students, designers and artisans to showcase their work.
The campaign launch was attended by Intermark Mall general manager Evelyn Woon, Primrose Hill International School founder Aida Bashah, fashion designer Carven Ong and Icad dean Ang Tong Yin.
“Local artists often don’t get enough love and awareness. This is where mall managements and the media can step in to promote their work,” said Woon.
The “Serasa Merdeka” launch also featured spirited performances of Negaraku and Rasa Sayang by students from Primrose Hill.
They were clad in traditional costumes representing Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage.
“Children have the energy to embody the spirit of Merdeka. The group we brought here comes from different ethnic backgrounds, which really reflects what National Day is all about,” said Woon.
One of the event highlights was the student fashion showcase from Icad, featuring the “Heritage in Motion” collection.
The pieces drew inspiration from Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry and aimed to give students real-world exposure while contributing to a meaningful national celebration.
Adding to the festive spirit were food stalls serving Malaysian favourites, live art demonstrations as well as hands-on workshops where shoppers could try painting and other crafts.
The campaign also offers daily servings of local dishes between 11.30am and 1pm, with a minimum spend of RM15 in a single receipt at the mall’s participating tenants.
“What better way to showcase Malaysian culture than through art and culture and, of course, food,” Woon added.
The event runs daily at the mall’s main concourse, with different activities and showcases scheduled each week.
