Head into the National Visual Arts Gallery (NVAG) right now and you’ll be met with paintings and installations from 114 local and international artists, spread across its seven galleries and three outdoor sites – all centring on the theme of Alami Belas or Be Loved. This is the focal point of the mega-scale KL Biennale, a contemporary art exhibition that runs until March this year and takes in multiple sites around the city.
Each gallery within the NVAG presents a different angle on the theme, expressed through nature, heritage, humanity, animals and spirituality. Visitors begin their journey into each space with ‘Stories of Love’, meant to raise awareness on and help develop sensitives towards social issues. This leads on to the ‘Heart of Matter’ and ‘Petals of Love’ segments, each of which contain artwork that help paint the complete picture of the Biennale’s concept of love.
The main display at the NVAG is flanked by three satellite exhibitions at the National Library (Pendula Nonagaon: Mind Balance by Jeganathan Ramachandram), Rumah Uwan Bainah (Rumah Waris Uwan by Siti Zainon Ismail) and the Piyadasa Gallery at the University of Malaya (The Gift of Knowledge: An Installation Commemorating Work of Durai Singam by Niranjan Rajah & Rustling in the Playground by Lisa Foo). These three expound on the messages of love, compassion and empathy espoused in the Biennale. Running in tandem with these are exhibitions at some of KL’s most prominent galleries. The love for heritage is championed at Galeri Petronas which presents ALEGORI: Contemporary Art Expressions from Malay Manuscripts, showcasing significant manuscripts and rare Malay artefacts that have helped shape metaphorical thinking today.
Meanwhile, Ilham Gallery’s Gerak Rupa Ubur Penyataan 1957-1973 reprises the seminal 1967 exhibition of the same name, bringing to the fore works from seven of the nation’s ground-breaking modern artists. At the core of the exhibition lies the aim to provide insight into how modern art flourished during the 1960s. Those looking to try their own hand at art should not miss the Saturday Night at the NVAG, taking place on 26 January. Here, families and friends are invited to take part in a variety of fun-filled activities while exploring the artwork on display. KL Biennale WHERE National Arts Gallery and participating sites around KL WHEN Ongoing until March 2018 TEL 03 4026 7000 artgallery.gov.my/KLBiennale
Lubok by Jamil Zakaria
The main display at the NVAG is flanked by three satellite exhibitions at the National Library (Pendula Nonagaon: Mind Balance by Jeganathan Ramachandram), Rumah Uwan Bainah (Rumah Waris Uwan by Siti Zainon Ismail) and the Piyadasa Gallery at the University of Malaya (The Gift of Knowledge: An Installation Commemorating Work of Durai Singam by Niranjan Rajah & Rustling in the Playground by Lisa Foo). These three expound on the messages of love, compassion and empathy espoused in the Biennale. Running in tandem with these are exhibitions at some of KL’s most prominent galleries. The love for heritage is championed at Galeri Petronas which presents ALEGORI: Contemporary Art Expressions from Malay Manuscripts, showcasing significant manuscripts and rare Malay artefacts that have helped shape metaphorical thinking today.
Meanwhile, Ilham Gallery’s Gerak Rupa Ubur Penyataan 1957-1973 reprises the seminal 1967 exhibition of the same name, bringing to the fore works from seven of the nation’s ground-breaking modern artists. At the core of the exhibition lies the aim to provide insight into how modern art flourished during the 1960s. Those looking to try their own hand at art should not miss the Saturday Night at the NVAG, taking place on 26 January. Here, families and friends are invited to take part in a variety of fun-filled activities while exploring the artwork on display. KL Biennale WHERE National Arts Gallery and participating sites around KL WHEN Ongoing until March 2018 TEL 03 4026 7000 artgallery.gov.my/KLBiennale