Exhibition

Urban Narratives: Exploring Kuala Lumpur’s Evolving Landscape Through Art

Exploring the unseen layers of Kuala Lumpur’s urban landscape through the eyes of 18 Malaysian artists.

Visitors explore the artworks at The Drawing Room, Yap Ah Shak House, KL.

G13 Gallery presents Urban Narratives, a pop-up exhibition that delves into the ever-changing urban landscape of Kuala Lumpur. Running from February 28 to March 11, 2025, at The Drawing Room, Level 3, Yap Ah Shak House, this exhibition brings together 18 contemporary Malaysian artists, each offering their own interpretation of the city’s transformation over time. Through a diverse range of artistic expressions, the exhibition reflects the complexity of urban life and the shifting dynamics that shape Kuala Lumpur’s identity.

The exhibition highlights the city’s vibrant streets, abstract cityscapes, and diverse communities, uncovering hidden layers of its social, cultural, and psychological essence. By capturing both the visible and unseen aspects of urban existence, the artworks explore how people navigate an environment that is constantly in motion. Themes of urbanization, adaptation, and identity are central, offering a multidimensional look at how Kuala Lumpur’s landscape, and the people within it, continue to evolve in response to social and economic forces.

Participating artists include Aimman Hafizal, Amirul Aiman, Anisa Abdullah, Fawwaz Sukri, Gan Sze Hooi, Gan Tee Sheng, Haziq Syawal, Ho Mei Kei, Izzuddin Basiron, Khairudin Zainudin, Najib Bamadhaj, Nik M Shazmie, Nik Mohd Shahfiz, Noor Zahran, Shafiq Nordin, Syed Fakaruddin, Wong Ming Hao, and Yuki Tham. Each artist contributes a unique artistic voice, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives that collectively form a rich and layered narrative of contemporary urban life.

Attendees engage with the vibrant, abstract cityscapes of Izzuddin Basiron.

A space for conversation — visitors exchange thoughts on the intersection of urbanization and identity.

The intricate textures and details in the paintings of Ho Mei Kei, Izzuddin Basiron, and Yuki Tham invite a deeper reflection on urban transformation.

Human expression and emotion come to life in the figurative works of Yuki Tham and Gan Tee Sheng, offering a glimpse into urban identity.

Monochrome artworks by Noor Zahran reflect the contrast between past and present in Kuala Lumpur’s landscape. These pieces are based on photos captured during COVID-19, just two weeks before Malaysia’s lockdown, preserving a moment of stillness before the city’s transformation.

Aimman Hafizal’s installation pieces add a new dimension to the theme of urban narratives.

The Place We Landed I and The Place We Landed II by Aimman Hafizal.

Viewers immerse themselves in the artwork Diskusi Senja by Anisa Abdullah.

Visitors engage with Haziq Syawal’s artwork, observing its intricate textures and layered compositions.

From the left: Now & Then by Najib Bamadhaj, Start with Foundation by Khairudin Zainudin, and Ruang Damai by Anisa Abdullah — three established Malaysian artists known for their distinct approaches to contemporary art.

Artist Wong Ming Hao (Right) explains his artworks to viewers.

A thought-provoking journey through Kuala Lumpur’s transformation, as seen through the eyes of contemporary artists.

Visit g13gallery.com for more information about this exhibition.

Most photos were shot with a Canon EOS RP + RF 35mm f1.8 lens, while others were taken with an iPhone.