Cover Sp-lit (2023); Assemblage of pearl pins, jasmine flowers, cotton wool, stockings, silicone, fake hair and a ceramic candle holder. (Image: courtesy of The Back Room)

From cheeky, introspective peepholes to surrealist works, check out the abundance of arts events that are happening across Malaysia

Get ready for an exhilarating month filled with captivating arts events across the greater Klang Valley. This diverse lineup is set to captivate art enthusiasts from various backgrounds. From Kara Inez's powerful sculptural works that shed light on lesser-known narratives surrounding women's bodies in Malaysia, Sanker Ganesh's introspective artworks, which offer a multifaceted perspective on the feminine body and their unique experiences, to Temu House's clever peepholes, which provide a delightful and thought-provoking glimpse into everyday life. Find out more about what's happening in the creative scene of Malaysia with our list of must-see exhibitions and shows.

Read more: 10 dining and lifestyle hubs in the Klang Valley to explore

1. Temu House

peepholes features visual works by artists CC Kua, Milline Low and Sarah Radzi, allowing visitors a peek behind the curtain that are the seeming simplicities of our daily lives. An emotional journey where pinpointed observations are made with a dash of humour; this exhibition invites a voyeuristic element for those who want to look without being seen.

When: Now till 16th July; Sat - Sun, 10am - 5pm

Where: 49, Jalan 16/9e, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

2. Wei-Ling Gallery

Tatler Asia
Above Artist Wong Chee Meng in his studio
Tatler Asia
Above Enchanted Garden, acrylic on canvas (2023)

Contemporary artist Wong Chee Meng's fifth solo exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery, Rasa Sayang, draws inspiration from a Malay folk song that holds significant cultural value in Malaysia. The exhibition presents a vibrant and refreshing perspective on life in a multicultural environment, intending to foster love and positivity as Malaysia undergoes its tumultuous, transformative journey.

“Finding common ground is perceived as an effort to converge the mental representation of shared knowledge. It enables us to create shared memories, allows us to activate, seek, and rapport building, as well as knowledge building that could be built in the communicative process,” says Wong in his press release.

When: July 20 - August 19; 10am - 6pm (By appointment only)

Where: 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

3. Awegallery

Featuring 32 works of eight emerging artists from the Malaysian Watercolour Society, visitors can experience the breadth and depth of this versatile medium through Fresh Horizons: An Exhibition of Eight Artists.

When: July 14 - Jul 23; Tue - Sun, 11am - 6pm

Where:  21, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

4. Suma Orientalis Fine Art

Discover the captivating surrealist paintings of acclaimed artist Eng Hwee Chu at the Suma Orientalis Gallery in Bukit Damansara. Titled Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Eng's collection showcases recurring feminine figures in red, set against dreamlike landscapes with remarkable detail and depth. These evocative and powerful images exude vulnerability yet convey a sense of strength, inviting viewers to delve into their own introspection about the complexities of our contemporary society and our place within it.

When: Now till July 23; Tue - Sun, 10.30am - 6.30pm

Where: The Five @ KPD, B-3a-1, Level 3A, Block B, Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

5. G13 Gallery

Hosting two artists' works in its halls, G13 Gallery presents Caryn Koh's Vessel and Khairudin Zainudin's Cerita Orang. Both exhibitions revolve around the artists' individual journeys, both of which are deeply intertwined with their personal identities; Koh the juxtaposition of the female body and its archetypal symbolism with her own experience, and Khairudin's profound exploration of his Kelantanese heritage, discovering the meaning of authenticity and slow living in a world of constant motion.

Want to find out more about their processes and an in-depth explanation about their work? Don't miss their artists' talk on July 15th!

When: Tue - Sat, 11am - 5pm

Where: Kelana Square, GL13, Ground Floor Block B, Jalan SS 7/26, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

6. Zhan Art | Space

Titled Body Langauge, Sanker Ganesh's first physical solo exhibition at Zhan Art | Space revolves around the multifaceted aspects of the human figure. From observation and conversation, Sanker's paintings explore humanity's fragility and resilience, using textural brush strokes and brush strokes to reflect the complexities of navigating oneself in contemporary society.

When: Now till July 23 ; Tue - Sun, 10am - 5pm

Where: 100-G.025, Block J, The School, Jaya One, No, 72A, Jln Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

7. AP Art Gallery

TABLOID: FATM (Volume 1) is a title said by AP Art Gallery to be an acronym that is up for interpretation and is an exhibition that takes a zesty, whimsical spin on its collection of works. Rooted deep in Zine culture, particularly that of Studio Tikus' KLB Zine, TABLOID: FATM is intended as a visual-led tabloid featuring works from artists with varying styles, so expect standout graphical work that constantly engages its visitors.

When: Now till July 14; Wed - Sun, 11am - 5pm

Where: A.P Art Gallery, 9169, Jalan Negara, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur

8. The Back Room

Malaysian visual artist Kara Inez's debut solo exhibition features a series of visceral silicone sculptures that serve as a visual commentary on the female experience and its taboos in current society. Juxtaposing the glossy, rubbery surface of silicone that is designed to look similar to human skin and the glamour of feminine accessories, (M)othered Meat is an allegory of the human body and the invisible cage of societal expectations that it is trapped in.

When: July 15 till July 30; Wed - Sun, 12pm to 6pm

Where: The Back Room, 80A (First floor), The Zhongshan Building Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur

9. Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre

Catch the enchanting dance and song performance by the Bulareyaung Dance Company from Taiwan as they bridge the traditional and the contemporary.

Celebrating the cultural marvels of the Luluna village, which is home to the largest indigenous Bunun tribe in Taiwan and is known for their fierce warriors and extraordinary singers, Bulareyaung Pagarlava, the dancer and choreographer for Luna, returned to the mountains where the Bunun resided after being enthralled by the voices of the Luluna Bunun Choir.

Joined by his dance troupe, Pagarlava and his dancers learned the oral traditions of the Bunun and the rituals of mountain life, which include the celebratory act after the end of a successful hunt.

When: July 14th till July 15th; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 3pm 

Where:  Pentas 1, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)

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