(Second row, from fifth left) Ng and Gass presenting certificates of participation to the children of Tadika Seri Soka during the exhibition’s launch.
IN a quiet corner of a children’s art exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, 15-year-old Koon Yan Ying stands confidently beside her artwork.
The piece, depicting two friends exchanging letters while their surroundings glow with vibrant colours and floating feathers, is more than just a drawing to her.
“It is a message about dialogue and understanding. For me, peace is about communication and understanding.
Yan Ying proudly sharing her art piece themed around dialogue and understanding.
“Even if we come from different backgrounds, as long as we can sit down and have a conversation, we can solve problems calmly,” she said.
The student from Soka International School Malaysia (SISM) in Negri Sembilan, explained that the bird element in the artwork represented peace, the batik patterns reflected cultural diversity while the letters symbolised dialogue.
She expressed her thoughts on conflict and resolution using pen, watercolour and coloured pencils as her chosen mediums.
Yan Ying is among the 150 children showcasing their work at the ongoing “Ta-Da! Look at My Lines!” Children’s Peace Art Exhibition 2025, held at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Shi Qi beside her artwork, which depicts peace as a place of friendship and happiness.
The exhibition highlighted young artists’ visions of world peace.
Katelynn Amelia Gee, a 14-year-old student from Jane Yap Atelier art school, presented her artwork titled Heart of Gold, which explored the idea that “peace begins from within”.
“My piece represents that idea, except this heart is filled with worries and doubts.
“The message is that if you hold on to your worries for too long, they can contaminate your kindness.
Katelyn Amelia with her artwork that reflects the idea that ‘peace starts from within’.
“It is also a reminder that to give peace to others, you must first find peace in yourself,” she explained.
Katelynn Amelia described her work as both comforting and confronting, offering reassurance while also prompting viewers to reflect on the importance of inner peace.
The children’s voices are at the heart of the peace-themed art exhibition organised by Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM), in conjunction with its Peace Month and the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Visitors exploring the ‘Ta-Da! Look at My Lines!’ children’s art exhibition held until Oct 12 at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM in Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN and ADANI ZAIDI/The Star
The showcase brought together children aged four to 15 from nine organisations and education institutions, including Jane Yap Atelier, National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), Natiarts Global, TopArt School of Art, We And I Art, SGM Junior Division, SISM, Tadika Seri Soka and Madrasah Darul Muttaqin Maa’ Tahfizul Quran Rohingya.
The younger artists portrayed peace as simple ideas such as a safe home, sharing laughter and spending time with friends.
Seven-year-old Tan Shi Qi captured this spirit in her artwork.
She titled her work Having Fun with Friends, a 3D creation of a safe, old house surrounded by leaves and “tiny people” who are friends.
“This is a 3D home. The tiny people are happy. Some are running, some are jumping and some are having fun.
“It is peaceful because they are playing there,” she said.
For Aisy Zill Qayyim Amir Asyraf, a student from Nasom, peace meant home.
The centre’s assistant coordinator and teacher Kow Jing Wen said the 13-year-old’s artwork portrayed home as a safe and peaceful place, that gives comfort and security.
Kow added that art gave children, especially those with special needs, a voice beyond words.
“It gives them confidence and reminds us adults that children have powerful messages to share if given the platform,” she said.
SGM president Johnny Ng Teck Sim said the exhibition was more than just about showcasing the children’s artistic talents.
“It is about recognising them as equal partners in creating peace.
“Their visions remind us that peace is not a distant dream but something we can build here and now,” he said in his opening remarks at the exhibition’s launch.
United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Malaysia representative Robert Gass said that while adults often complicated the idea of peace, children reminded everyone of its simple truths.
“For adults, peace can sound complicated, but for children, it is straightforward as helping a friend, caring for the Earth, or cheering for one another.
“These artworks are not just beautiful; they carry messages about the world we should strive to build,” he said.
The art exhibition runs until Oct 12, with opening hours from 11am to 5pm daily (closed on Mondays). Admission is free.
For details, visit harmoni-soka.org
