Weekend for the arts: Yoshisuke Funasaka's printmaking, Galeri Petronas reopens
Venue: Museum of Asian Art, Universiti Malaya, KL
Date: ends July 31
Step into the world of renowned Japanese artist-printmaker Yoshisuke Funasaka, 86, in this eye-catching exhibition - his first in Malaysia. Intipati showcases Funasaka's distinctive fusion of traditional woodblock printing with contemporary techniques like silkscreen and katagami stencilling, resulting in striking, modernist compositions.
The show, organised by Japan Foundation, LL, features nearly 100 works dating back to the 1970s. It offers a glimpse into the craft that has made Funasaka a celebrated figure in Japanese printmaking.
Curated by veteran printmaker Juhari Said - who studied under Funasaka in Japan in the early 1990s - the exhibition is also a tribute to their shared artistic journey. As part of his legacy, Funasaka has generously donated over 240 original works to Universiti Malaya, enriching its permanent collection and paving the way for future research and exhibitions.
In conjunction with the Museum of Asian Art show, Funasaka will lead a special Traditional Japanese Baren Making Workshop, alongside a talk by Juhari Said on Saturday (June 14) at 2.30pm.
Free admission exhibition. Gallery is closed on Sundays.
More info here.
'TaTaTa', brought to life by Anne James (right) and Audrey Chua - explores the quiet, often unspoken spaces between generations. Photo: Low Pey Sien
THEATRE: KONGSI PETAK'S 'TATATA'
Venue: Dewan Serbaguna Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Date: June 14 and 15
Here's a show, presented by the Kongsi Petak collective, that takes you straight to the heart of a small town community. It's worth the road trip for a different kind of theatre experience — a repurposed community hall with its own charm.
After a memorable opening night on Friday, don't expect weekend tickets to stick around — snap them up while you still can. Part performance, part memory capsule, TaTaTa transfoms the rough-and-ready Dewan Serbaguna Seri Kembangan hall into a stage where memories and generations meet.
Marking Lai Wen Xin's directorial debut, this interdisciplinary work - brought to life by veteran performer Anne James and rising talent Audrey Chua - explores the quiet, often unspoken spaces between generations.
Blending theatre, dance, and multimedia, it reflects on the emotional distances that can form between the elderly and the young, offering a layered meditation on memory, aging, and the shifting dynamics of care and connection.
The result is a tender, thought-provoking work that invites audiences to reflect on what it truly means to grow older.
More info here.
Visitors pass Azim Rodi's 'Langkah Terasing', an installation spotlighting roadside fruit sellers and the city's everyday scenes shaped by social class divides. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli
EXHIBITION: 'OLD SCHOOL X NEW RULES'
Venue: Galeri PETRONAS, Level 3, Suria KLCC
Date: ends Sept 28
Curious about the rising wave of Malaysian artists reshaping the scene? Old School X New Rules, the group exhibition at the newly reopened Level 3 gallery in Suria KLCC, offers a compelling entry point.
Spanning a range of mediums - from installations and video works to paintings and found objects - the show brings together a diverse, thought-provoking line-up of emerging voices.
It's more than just a survey of fresh talent; it's a snapshot of shifting perspectives, new languages of expression, and the evolving relationship between tradition and experimentation in local art. Featured artists include Zulkefli Jais, Aimman Hafizal, Azim Rodi, Yong Hui Lin, Chong Yan Chuah, Yuki Mun, Burhanuddin Bakri, Foong Yeng Yeng (with Lim Soon Hock), Afiq Romi, Haziq Syawal, Husni Osman, Syazwan Jehan, Syuhada Yaacob, and Akif Azmi - each bringing their own distinct perspective and artistic voice to the table.
Galeri PETRONAS, which paused its programmes during a pandemic-era realignment in May 2021, is marking its return with a series of public programmes around this new exhibition - making it clear that it's back and reengaging with audiences.
Free admission exhibition. Galeri PETRONAS is closed in Mondays.
More info here.
A closer look at Kugan's work titled 'Cascade', which uses graphite on cigarette gold foil. Photo: Jerome Kugan
EXHIBITION: JEROME KUGAN'S 'ALL LIFE IS RECYCLED' and 'TIME IS A DONUT'
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Date: June 14-29
Sabahan artist-writer Jerome Kugan brings together his work in poetry, music and visual art in this deeply personal exhibition, which opens this weekend at Temu House.
All Life Is Recycled and Time Is A Donut gather Kugan's works from 2017 to 2025, highlighting his ongoing exploration of recycled and found materials as tools for reflection and memory. These objects, each carrying their own histories, are transformed into thoughtful, tactile works that speak to both personal experience and the wider human condition.
The show also features pieces from Time Is A Donut, created during the Kota Kinabalu-based artist's three-month residency in Frankfurt, Germany under the AIR_Frankfurt programme.
Developed after the death of his mother, whom he cared for over five years, this series is a meditative journey into how humans process time and grief. There is a quiet emotional depth that threads through the collection, inviting viewers to pause and contemplate the stories we attach to the things we leave behind.
The opening reception is at 3pm this Saturday. Admission is free.
More info here.
A view of Bayu's latest solo exhibition 'Resonance Of Soul', which is showing at the Harta Space gallery in Selangor. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan
EXHIBITION: BAYU UTOMO RADJIKIN'S 'RESONANCE OF SOULS'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends June 29
Bayu Utomo Radjikin's latest solo exhibition, Resonance Of Souls, signals a striking new chapter in the veteran artist's career. Known for his expressive intensity, Bayu returns with a series of large-scale paintings that explore the human condition through anonymous male figures - contorted, raw, and emotionally charged.
Far from conventional portraiture, these figures are stripped of identity, becoming vessels for universal struggle, vulnerability, and resilience. Executed in deep, brooding tones and visceral textures, the works inhabit the Harta gallery space with a quiet force.
This exhibition marks a significant evolution in the Sabah-born artist's practice, blending abstraction with figuration in ways that are both physical and affective. As a founding member of the Matahati Collective and Hom Art Trans, Bayu brings over 30 years of experience to this show - proving that his artistic journey is far from static, and still very much in motion.
More info here.
Khabir's solo debut exhibition at KL's Wei-Ling Gallery, explores time through themes of decomposition, repair, and transformation. Photo: The Star/Raja Faisal Hishan
EXHIBITION: KHABIR ROSLAN'S 'SUKMA: MEGAH, TUNDOK'
Venue: Wei-Ling Gallery, KL
Date: ends June 21
After his time in the WLG Incubator Young Artists programme in 2023 under the mentorship of Yau Bee Ling, emerging artist Khabir Roslan presents a solo debut exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery, exploring time through themes of decomposition, repair, and transformation.
Using compost soil mixed with pigments and oil, along with stitched bandages and cloth, Khabir creates large-scale, tactile works layered with care and memory. Hexagonal motifs - echoing Singgora clay roof tiles from Nusantara architecture - repeat across the surfaces, evoking both fragmentation and continuity.
Titled from the Bahasa Malaysia words sukma (soul), megah (greatness), and tundok (humility), the show reflects on cyclical rhythms of making. Neither quite painting nor sculpture, the works unfold as soil-stained scrolls that stretch floor to ceiling, anchored by a fragment of a boat's hull - merging gesture, object, and grounded reflection.
For those new to his work, Khabir is a transdisciplinary artist whose practice weaves together science, cosmology, and philosophy. A Fine Arts graduate from UiTM Shah Alam, he was awarded "Most Promising Artist" after winning the UOB Painting of the Year 2020 in the Emerging Artist category.
More info here.
Tong's painting titled 'Wood Drill And Tool Box', which is part of his 'Occurs' debut exhibition in KL. Photo: Tong Fung Chuar
EXHIBITION: TONG FUNG CHUAR'S 'OCCURS'
Venue: The Changing Room, Zhongshan building, KL
Date: ends June 22
It's always encouraging to see emerging artists take the spotlight, Occurs marks Tong Fung Chuar's solo debut - a raw, introspective series put together by independent curator Umar Sharif.
With titles like Blister, Screaming Car, and Bloodletting, Tong's paintings explore everyday anxiety and quiet chaos.
Trained in France, Tong channels pain and tension through naive, unstructured forms. Figures are absent, allowing space for personal reflection, while the curation leans into mood over narrative.
More than a promising debut, Occurs also highlights the power of independent art spaces - where experimentation and expression thrive beyond the institutional frame.
More info here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
20 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Japan's Sega eyes return to 1990s gaming glory
TOKYO - The big-screen success of 1990s video game speedster "Sonic the Hedgehog" has brought new fans to Japan's Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades. This year all eyes have been on Nintendo, whose Switch 2 recently became the fastest-selling console in history. Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi speaks during an interview with AFP at the opening ceremony for the company's first official store in Tokyo's Shibuya district on July 16, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) But unlike its former arch-rival, Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001, instead focusing on making games for other platforms. Now, as record tourism to Japan helps boost global appetite for the country's pop culture, the company sees a chance to reinvent itself -- including through nostalgic game remakes and movie adaptations like the hit "Sonic" series. Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan, having launched a similar shop in Shanghai in May. "Opportunities are expanding," chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi told AFP. "We've been struggling... for a while, but now we are coming back." The company aims "to expand our business globally rather than focusing on the Japanese market", he said. Sega was a top industry player in the 1980s and 1990s, its name synonymous with noisy arcades, home consoles and game franchises, such as beat-em-up "Streets of Rage" and ninja series "Shinobi". But it struggled to keep up with intense competition, falling on hard times financially as multiplayer online titles from US publishers, such as "World of Warcraft", took off in the 2000s. 'Persona' movie? After Sega quit the hardware business, its game offerings "got a little stale", said David Cole of the US-based games market research firm DFC Intelligence. But "the kids who grew up in the 1990s are now in their 30s, 40s, even older, and really like those franchises" -- and are introducing them to their own children -- he told AFP. "It's untapped value" that Sega -- just like its Japanese peers including Nintendo -- is trying to capitalise on through new movies, stores and theme park rides, Cole added. Last year, the film "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" starring Jim Carrey as the villain zipped to the top of the North American box office in one of the best December openings in years. It followed the first live-action "Sonic" movie in 2020, as Sega cashes in on a video-game movie craze that saw "The Super Mario Bros. Movie", based on the Nintendo characters, become the second-highest grossing film of 2023. "Shinobi" is also being turned into a film, while Sega's "Yakuza" game series has been adapted for television. When asked if cult franchise "Persona" could be next, Sega's Utsumi said fans should "stay tuned". "We are talking to a lot of interesting potential partners. So we are under some discussions, but I can't say too much about it," he said. Super Game Sega bought Finland's Rovio, creator of "Angry Birds", in 2023, seeking to expand into the mobile gaming market. "Gamers' behaviour has been changing" since Sega's original heyday, going beyond TV-connected consoles, Utsumi said. But Cole said that in the long run Sega should concentrate on "high-end" gaming: larger-scale, more involved titles that encourage brand loyalty. Sega is working on what it calls a "Super Game" with big-budget international ambition and a scope that is "not only just a game -- communication, social, maybe potentially AI", Utsumi said. "The competition in the game market is very fierce," he cautioned. "It's important to really have a fan base close to us. But at the same time, when we develop a great game, it takes time." Sega's parent company Sega Sammy also makes arcade and gambling machines, including those used in Japanese "pachinko" parlours, whose numbers are in decline. That makes Sega's entertainment business "really the growth opportunity for the company", Cole said. Sega Sammy said in May its "Sonic" intellectual property "has contributed to an increase in both game and character licensing revenue". Young tourists in Tokyo shopping near Sega's new store ahead of the opening seemed to confirm this. "I've always liked Sega. I kind of grew up around their games," said 19-year-old American Danny Villasenor. "They're pretty retro. But I think they've evolved with time pretty well." William Harrington, 24, who lives in Los Angeles, said his father "put me on to a lot of the older games back in the day", and so to him, Sega "feels like childhood". - AFP
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Sony buys stake in ‘Gundam', ‘Pac Man' owner to grow anime empire
TOKYO, July 25 — Sony has bought a strategic 2.5 per cent stake in Japanese game franchise giant Bandai Namco, which owns 'Gundam' and arcade classic 'Pac-Man', with a view to growing its anime business. Booming global appetite for Japanese animation has become a money-spinner for Sony, which acquired online anime library Crunchyroll in 2021. 'As two of the leading Japanese entertainment companies, Bandai Namco and Sony will focus on expanding the fan community… and strengthening engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated,' said a joint statement released yesterday. With the 68 billion yen (US$460 million) transaction, the companies plan 'to create new and emotionally moving experiences for fans', it said. Sony's rival Nintendo already owns a 1.8 per cent stake in Bandai Namco, which also publishes the games 'Elden Ring' and 'Tekken', said Atul Goyal, equity analyst at Jefferies. 'Building on joint intellectual property successes like 'Gundam SEED FREEDOM', and 'Demon Slayer', the move aims to reinforce Sony's upstream IP strategy and Bandai Namco's global expansion push,' Goyal wrote. 'While there is no immediate earnings impact, the move strengthens Sony's positioning as a central hub in Japan's anime and IP value chain.' — AFP
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Adidas and Dion Cools unveil heritage-inspired jersey
ADIDAS MALAYSIA launches a limited edition jersey inspired by national footballer Dion Cools, celebrating his heritage, cultural identity, and remarkable football journey. This jersey, a seamless blend of culture and performance, symbolises national pride, resilience, and unity. Designed in collaboration with Dion Cools – the first Malaysian to play for Japanese top-flight club Cerezo Osaka and a key defender for the Malaysian national team – the jersey reflects the athlete's deep connection to his roots and the nation he represents. Collaboration with Dion Cools A stalwart in Malaysia's national team since 2021, Dion Cools has become a symbol of local football defined by grit, leadership and cultural pride. The limited edition jersey reflects this narrative, drawing from Dion's standout performances and his unwavering commitment to representing the country at the highest level. 'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for. Partnering with adidas on this jersey let me tell that story in a whole new way. adidas has always stood for pushing boundaries. Through this collaboration, I hope to inspire others to embrace their identity and push for greatness,' said Dion Cools. Celebrating Culture Through Sport Born in Kuching, Sarawak and raised in Belgium, Dion was eligible to represent either country at international level, but ultimately chose to wear the Malaysian badge. This jersey design honours that decision: Infused with heritage-inspired patterns and modern performance detailing, the design reflects the duality of Dion's roots and career. 'At adidas, we believe in the power of sport to unite cultures, amplify stories and create new possibilities. Dion's story reflects everything adidas stands for: cultural authenticity, bold choices, and performance at the highest level,' said Preston Page, Country Manager, adidas Malaysia. The Dion Cools limited edition jersey is available in two colourways at select adidas stores and online via Retailing at RM169, consumers will get to redeem a complimentary collectible Dion Cools player card with each purchase, while stocks last.
