Khazanah’ s virtual art gallery advocates a sense of national pride through the preservation of arts, history, culture and heritage

Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) today officially launched its virtual art gallery, Galeri Khazanah, to showcase its art collection and make art more accessible to local and international audience.

For the launch of its virtual gallery themed: Time Together: Exploring Art Through Khazanah’s Collection, Galeri Khazanah will showcase 57 artworks by 29 artists from its collection.

In conjunction with the 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.

Among the artworks that are featured in the virtual gallery include those by Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal, Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, Khalil Ibrahim, Latiff Mohidin, Dato’ 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.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah officiated the launch event. Also present was Khazanah Managing Director, Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir.

The event was also attended by artists whose works are featured at the exhibition, as well as representatives from government-linked companies, government agencies, private sector companies, art galleries and the local art fraternity.

To commemorate the launch event, Khazanah is also organising an 11-day mini art exhibition starting tomorrow 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 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.’

“Traditionally, most art is viewed physically. It is kept in museums, galleries, corporate offices, and in private homes or art collectors.”

“Initiatives like the virtual exhibition of these works that Khazanah has set up allow art to be accessed in a far more effective was than was previously possible,” he said.

Sultan Nazrin, in his tribute to established and emerging Malaysian artists that have contributed to the journey of the nation, said that the artwork that they have produced tells the story of Malaysia’s history and the evolution of its soul.

“Art connects our past, present and future through historical context. Learning about art history teaches us about who we are, where we are from,” he said.

Since its inception in 1994, Khazanah has been gradually collecting artworks, in various media and style, 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, artifacts, 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.

Dato’ Amirul Feisal, at the launch event, said Khazanah’s role in preserving and promoting artworks by local artists are in line with its role of delivering societal value to the country.

“Beyond its purely financial responsibilities,” he said, “Khazanah has a duty to protect, preserve and develop national assets as part of the sovereign wealth fund’s strategy of Advancing Malaysia.”

“It is timely that we introduce Galeri Khazanah to Malaysians and the world as part of our Advancing Malaysia strategy to build capacity and spur vibrant communities for the benefit of Malaysians,” Dato’ Amirul Feisal said.

“Today marks a momentous occasion in our efforts to cultivate heritage appreciation via the digitalisation of our artworks through this digital platform,” he added.

Apart from collecting artworks from local talents, Dato’ Amirul Feisal also pointed out that Khazanah has also been actively contributing towards building the capacity of local artists through the Khazanah Arts Residency since 2017.

To date, Khazanah has sponsored eight emerging artists for the 12-week art residency programme conducted by ACME Studios in London.
Curated by Malaysian art consultant Sarah Abu Bakar, designed by Malaysian architecture firm Fei Architect, and photographed by Wesley Wong of Giclee Art Sdn Bhd, 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 (MPO) titled Lenggang Mak Limah, composed by Abu Kassim and arranged by Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.

Time Together: Exploring Art Through Khazanah’s Collection mini exhibition will be open to the public from 25 August until 4 September, between 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, daily. Admission is free.

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.

Galeri Khazanah is available for viewing at https://galeri.khazanah.com.my/

END