Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) has announced the selection of two emerging Malaysian artists as the 2025 recipients of the Khazanah Associate Artist Residency Programme (“KAAR”), a transformative initiative that nurtures emerging talent through global exposure, capacity building and cross-cultural exchange.
Now in its seventh edition, KAAR is a core component of the Khazanah Residency Programme (“KRP”). Hosted by Acme Studios in London, the 12-week programme-beginning this September, places the artists within one of the UK’s most dynamic ecosystems for contemporary art.
Selected from 47 applicants by a four-member panel of judges, the 2025 KAAR recipients are:
- Lee Mok Yee, a multidisciplinary artist based in Kuala Lumpur, who transforms everyday objects such as incense sticks and industrial materials into evocative pieces exploring identity, materiality and mass culture.
- Amar Shahid bin Salehudin, from Terengganu, blends traditional techniques with experimental media. He is currently working with Cyanotype printing on Batik, merging heritage craft with image-making to revive and reimagine Southeast Asian visual traditions.
Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional said, “Congratulations to both recipients. This residency is a platform for growth, exchange and learning but it’s also a call to contribute. We look forward to how they will bring this experience home and help shape the future of Malaysia’s creative scene.”
KAAR, alongside the Khazanah Wolfson Press Fellowship (“KWPF”) and the Khazanah Sustainability Leadership pilot programme, aims to equip Malaysian talents with the knowledge, skills and networks to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. It aligns with Khazanah’s Advancing Malaysia strategy and the Malaysia Investment Strategy framework – A Nation That Creates – which drives socio-economic outcomes to elevate communities, build capacity, and strengthen national resilience.
Dato’ Amirul Feisal added, “The two artists were selected not only for their talent, but for their potential to challenge norms, inspire new ways of thinking and carry Malaysia’s stories into the world. Whether visual, digital, or multidisciplinary, their work has the power to spark dialogue, empathy and change. Through KAAR, we are proud to support their growth as artists and, more importantly, invest in the creative spirit that defines who we are as a nation. At Khazanah, we sincerely believe that nurturing the arts is essential to shaping a more inclusive and vibrant Malaysia.”
During their time at Acme’s Fire Station Residency, the artists will participate in mentorship sessions, workshops and peer collaborations, while engaging with the broader London art scene. Their residency also coincides with Frieze Week, offering critical exposure to the global arts community. Upon returning, both recipients will contribute to the local art ecosystem through mentorship, exhibitions, and public programmes -including Tea Talk sessions and collaborations with Galeri Khazanah.
Past KAAR alumni continue to play a pivotal role in enriching Malaysia’s creative economy and cultural dialogue. Since its launch in 2017, KAAR has supported 12 Malaysian artists and remains a key platform for artistic growth, reinforcing Khazanah’s mission to advance Malaysia by nurturing the creative leaders of tomorrow.
As part of KRP, along with KNWPF and the Khazanah Sustainability Leadership Programme, these initiatives develop young Malaysian talents in selected disciplines by equipping them with the latest knowledge, skills and networks in their respective fields. Programmes are selected from established short-term residencies, fellowships or courses run by world-renowned institutions.
Khazanah has supported 23 media professionals, 10 corporate communication practitioners, and 12 artists through the KWPF and KAAR programmes and many more young Malaysians through K-Youth and 42 Malaysia. At Khazanah, we see talent as national capital. Investing in people is how we build a Malaysia that creates and thrives
