National Art Gallery

Nowadays, the publicised place of Kuala Lumpur most definitely belongs to The National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara) which is situated along the well-known Jalan Tun Razak. You may ask, why is this place becoming such a phenomenon for citizens and tourists alike?

The main reason is, of course, the free entry and the array of contemporary art mixed with traditional Malaysian daily culture.

Not only that, when you step right into the building, you are greeted by a large interactive LCD screen which displays the many art pieces you will find on each floor.

 

 

From conventional paint on canvases, embroidery found on tote-bags, sculptures of deep meanings, clothing you will find in Malaysian everyday wear to even more sophisticated creations of the upcoming future (such as the whiteboard eraser and digital scanner).

 

 

Based on the Instagram hype, you should visit the display which holds a neon sign that reads Merbahaya which is also accompanied by its sculpture of multiple bricks showcasing the apartment of a controversial accident that had taken place.

 

 

Another fan favourite would be the chilling exhibition of a pinafore hung using a fishing net and chalk smatters the ground below it. It’s titled Seed which won the BMS People’s Choice Award ’19 and will certainly make you rethink what school students have to go through at such a young age.

 

 

Haven’t had enough of seeing the aesthetic artworks?
Head to the side exhibition located to the right of the entrance which displays an array of khat writings and instruments used in the making of them (this was the showcase for August 2019).

 

 

On a side note, do explore the subsidiary building located to the right of the main building which hosts more art pieces (it was ‘animal themed’ in August 2019) and a small mosque (surau) for prayers.

 

 

Wherever you’re from, do take a few hours off your day to please your eyes to the Malaysian aesthetics as this would be an unforgettable moment when you are in the country of the Jalur Gemilang. On a side note, please do note that The National Art Gallery changes their exhibition every month and once a year so do give it a current visit!

 

Written by: Nur Adriana binti Mohd Nizam

 

 

References:

[1]	The National Art Gallery Exhibition August 2019
[2]	All pictures were captured by my friend and I