(From left) Ahmad Najib, Toko Art Gallery managing director Farah Liyana, Mah and Toh at the launch of ‘Lakaran Malaysia’ at Harvey Norman’s flagship store. The limited-edition collection offers a splash of vibrance in the TPG One series and a touch of calm in TPG Two, and is available at selected stores. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
A furniture collection brings foliage and butterflies into living space through the work of Malaysian contemporary artist Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj.
Known as “Lakaran Malaysia”, the limited-edition catalogue from Harvey Norman Malaysia includes sofas, stools, armchairs, daybeds and cabinets.
Created in collaboration with Toko Art Gallery, the upholstery features artwork from Najib Ahmad’s “The Promised Garden” (TPG) series, which was showcased in a sold-out solo exhibition at G13 Gallery in late 2025.
The series comprises two design motifs – the orange vibrance of TPG One and the green calm of TPG Two.
Najib Ahmad said he was inspired by founder of Impressionism Claude Monet’s famed garden in Giverny, France – not just through the beauty of this oasis but also its backstory.
He learned that when Monet began building the garden, nearby farmers were concerned that insects from it might spread to their crops.
“Despite the resistance, Monet persevered – and today, the garden is one of France’s most photographed,” he said during the launch at Harvey Norman’s flagship store in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur.
The idea for the furniture collection began when Harvey Norman general manager (furniture) Mark Mah visited a pop-up stall by Toko Art Gallery and saw how artworks could be adapted onto everyday objects like furniture, bags and stationery.
This led to a collaboration with Toko and Najib Ahmad, who supervised the seven-month design process to ensure the artwork aligned precisely across each item.
Harvey Norman Malaysia chief operating officer Jonathan Toh said this first collaboration with a local artist allowed people to bring art into their homes in a form that was not only expressive but also functional.
“With ‘Lakaran Malaysia’, we take this a step further by exploring how furniture can also carry meaning, how it can reflect the stories, culture and identity of Malaysians,” said Toh.
Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, affirming its originality and collectible value.
The collection is available exclusively at its stores in Mid Valley Megamall, IPC Shopping Centre, Citta Mall, Pavilion Bukit Jalil Kuala Lumpur and KL East Mall in the Klang Valley, as well as Gurney Plaza (George Town, Penang), Mid Valley Southkey (Johor Baru) and Vivacity Megamall (Kuching, Sarawak).
An indication of this collection’s impact in art circles was the presence of several collectors at the launch.
On durability, Mah said the velvet-like material was long-lasting and scratch-proof, making it pet-friendly and easy to clean, while the solid wood frame had a 10-year warranty.
