Art enthusiasts, mark your calendars from 26 November-6 December as Gallery Weekend Kuala Lumpur (GWKL) returns with another vibrant programme that moves far beyond the typical art exhibition. While parts are still being firmed up, you can expect another multi-disciplinary outing that features a range of eclectic offerings including museum shows, gallery exhibitions, heritage features and the Luminary Programme.
Image Credit gw-kl.com
A pioneering cultural marquee, GWKL acts as an extended platform for local creative talent, helping to strengthen international outreach and ties within the community. Created by Datin Shalini Ganendra, founder of Shalini Ganendra Fine Art and cultural entrepreneur, the event aims to make the arts more accessible to everyone and dispel the myth that it is grounded in the elite.
All are welcome to take advantage of this all-inclusive event, which will run with adopted new norms this year. Visitors will be able to access a variety of events, including the popular Luminary discussions, via digital platforms and social media. Everything is free as well, just make sure to register before.
As always, GWKL will see participation from a multitude of galleries, museums as well as private and public collections showcasing a wide variety of work. Among these are the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Petronas Gallery, Ilham Gallery, Richard Koh Fine Art, Wei Ling Contemporary, Taksu Gallery, Rimbun Dahan and Badan Warisan Heritage Society to name a few.
Image Credit gw-kl.com
Anchoring the event will be the four Luminary sessions which feature renowned speakers, curators, collectors, artists, critics, gallerists and more, engaging in lively discussions covering numerous topics. Individuals making their voices heard this year include Singapore Biennale (2015) and Venice Biennale (2019) curator Patrick Flores, who will share his experiences in Balancing The Biennales. Moderated by artist and writer Dr. Emilia Ong, Flores will offer valuable insight into the inner workings of a major art event like a biennale.
Stay tuned for other topics to be confirmed from speakers such as Curator of Indigenous Art at Art Gallery Toronto Wanda Nanibush, Senior Curator National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum Shabbir Hussain Mustaga, Artist and Writer Dr Emelia Ong, and Director of UNSW Galleries, Sydney Jose Da Silva, and Malaysian Artist Elias Yamani.
Image Credit gw-kl.com
GWKL has emerged as one of the premier gallery weekends’ of the world, along with city’s like Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, Mexico City and Istanbul, and this year’s edition is set to continue to champion culture and meaningful exploration. With enhanced digital elements and virtual participation, they’ll be plenty of chances to immerse yourself in Malaysia’s rich tapestry this November.
Make sure to visit gw-kl.com to view the full list of participating institutions in GWKL2020, as well as dates and times for the full programme.