Khazanah Nasional unveils virtual art gallery with 5 thematic spaces

Khazanah Nasional has unveiled its virtual art gallery, Galeri Khazanah, to showcase its art collection and make art more accessible to a local and international audience. Themed "Time Together: Exploring Art Through Khazanah’s Collection", Galeri Khazanah will showcase 57 artworks by 29 artists from its collection.

Curated by Malaysian art consultant Sarah Abu Bakar, designed by Malaysian architecture firm Fei Architect, and photographed by Wesley Wong of Giclee Art, Galeri Khazanah consists of five thematic virtual reality spaces – the Lobby, Traditional House, Peranakan, Pavilion and Glass Room. The music accompaniment is an orchestral piece by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra titled Lenggang Mak Limah, composed by Abu Kassim and arranged by Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.

Launched in conjunction with Merdeka month, the theme chosen is meant to celebrate Malaysia, capturing many stories of the nation through time – from 1960s Malaya to present-day Malaysia – the meaningful representations of the selected artworks to the life journeys of the artists themselves.

In addition to the artworks on display, visitors will also get an opportunity to listen to talks organised by several established and emerging artists, participate in creative workshops and join interactive activities, throughout the mini-exhibition.

Among the artworks featured in the virtual gallery include those by Syed Ahmad Jamal, Ibrahim Hussein, Khalil Ibrahim, Latiff Mohidin, Sharifah Fatimah, Yusof Ghani, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Anurendra Jegadeva, Kow Leong Kiang, Yee I-Lann, Fauzul Yusri, Liew Kung Yu and Haffendi Anuar.

Khazanah is also organising an 11-day mini art exhibition featuring 28 artworks by 27 artists at Slate @ The Row, Kuala Lumpur. The 28 artworks were specially selected to commemorate Khazanah’s 28th anniversary this year.

In his speech at the launch event, Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak lauded Khazanah’s effort to "democratise art" by making it inclusive and accessible to the public via the virtual platform of Galeri Khazanah. Referring to art as a “window into the soul”, Sultan Nazrin said that the artworks, gathered from around Malaysia, on exhibit at Galeri Khazanah and at the mini-exhibition, are a window into the ‘soul of the nation.’

Since its inception in 1994, Khazanah has been gradually collecting artworks, in various media and styles, produced by local artists in a bid to preserve and promote Malaysian art and talents. To date, Khazanah has over 600 artworks in its collection, including oil, acrylic and batik paintings, artefacts, sculptures, drawings and photographs.

Many of the artworks that Khazanah owns are on display at its corporate office in Kuala Lumpur, as well as at its regional offices in Shanghai, Mumbai, Istanbul and San Francisco. In the past, Khazanah has also loaned out several of the artworks that it owns to art galleries for exhibition.

Separately, it has also appointed Nazatul Ekma Mokhtar as VP of corporate communications. He joins the team from Pos Malaysia where he was VP of PR, media and internal communications for nearly three years, according to his LinkedIn. He has also worked at Sime Darby Property as manager, PR and media and AirAsia as senior executive, communication.

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