Latest news with #KualaLumpurIllustrationFair
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
A mew-seum of wonders: PJ art shop wants you to rediscover your inner child
If you've ever wished you could walk into a meme, Mew Movement in Petaling Jaya, Selangor might just be the place. Hidden on the second floor of a shophouse in SS2, this playful spot mixes art, pop culture, and pastel nostalgia behind a quirky elevator-style door. Founded by young 'art-trepreneurs' Melissa Ng and Yew Yiqin in 2021, Mew Movement carries an assortment of artworks, handicrafts and fun little knickknacks (stickers, postcards, washi tape, etc) – all designed by the duo. 'Melissa and I have been friends since high school, and though we went on to study at different colleges, we still kept in touch,' says Yew, 26. During the pandemic, when everything slowed down, they decided to start their own small business. And so the indie-minded Mew Movement was born – a blend of Ng and Yew's names, built on their shared dream of spreading joy through art. The ghost-like character which Ng and Yew call 'Mew', features prominently in a lot of their artwork. The shop's mascot is a ghost-like character named Mew. 'It's not actually a ghost, but a person who's pretending to be a ghost, because we all hide parts of ourselves, but we want people to know that at Mew Movement, it's okay to just be yourself,' says Yew. In its first year, Mew Movement sold online and built a social media following, but soon saw the need for a physical space to reach more people. 'We also wanted to offer a place where people could hang out – a space to have fun and be happy,' says Ng. Renting in a busy commercial area is tough for independents, so Mew Movement also joins art markets – aiming for at least two a month, says Yew. Mew Movement often pops up at art markets, like this one at Makers Hall, Central Market. — Mew Movement Mew Movement has popped up all over the Klang Valley, including at Central Market, Pingmin Market and Comic Fiesta. It made its Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair debut in May 2025 with a mini version of its shop – packed with visitors. Thankfully, a small team of part-timers helped when things got busy. Beyond the transactional For Ng and Yew, Mew Movement was always meant to be more than just a shop – they wanted it to feel like an experience for everyone who walks in. 'We don't want to just sell things – we want to go beyond the transactional and make a kind of third space where people can linger and hang out with friends, so we created this area inside the shop called the 'Mewracle',' says Yew. The Mewracle section of the shop is something like a pop-up installation, which changes its concept every two to three months. Previous Mewracles include 'Mew Sushi House', featuring handmade tufted coasters that look like plates of sushi on a kaiten belt, and 'Mewsic Box', where the duo made their version of a record shop with album covers and a jamming area. Mew Movement's current Mewracle, 'Mew Cake Shop', runs until July 27. – Mew Movement 'It's our biggest canvas. When we were planning out the shop's layout, we knew that we wanted something that kept changing. Best of all, it's free for people to come and enjoy,' says Ng. 'One of our most popular was 'Picnic with Monet' in February last year,' says Yew, who has dabbled with animation work. 'People could actually picnic in the space – we hand-painted panels so it felt like sitting inside a Monet painting.' The quirky idea won them several new loyal fans. The current Mewracle, Mew Cake House, is styled like a cheerful cake shop. Ng and Yew created socks in ice cream tubs and pop-up cake cards with icing stickers to match. It runs at the shop until July 27. 'Our goal with this Mewracle was to bring the ice cream stand from our Eslite pop-up to our shop regulars, so we went with a sweets and desserts theme,' says Ng, who has a background in interior architecture. Mew Movement is also known for its 'Live Drawing Photo Booth'. While planning the shop's layout, Ng and Yew knew that they wanted to dedicate a space for the 'Live Drawing Photo Booth'. At first glance, it looks like a regular photo booth – but instead of a camera, Yew or Ng (hidden behind a screen) sketches your portrait on the spot in just five to 10 minutes. Can't visit in person? They open online slots via social media, where you send a photo and get your hand-drawn likeness by mail. And if you'd like to send a note to your future self (or someone else), there's a wall with 12 mailboxes – one for each month. Just write a postcard, choose a month, and it'll be mailed out then. Forging connections In their work, Ng and Yew tap into pop culture – TV shows, movies, music, and viral memes – for playful, relatable inspiration. 'We're often inspired by our own experiences and whatever is trending that gets stuck in our head,' says Ng. Beyond creative expression, the duo also aim for their work to bring a sense of lightness and joy. 'Whether at a booth or the shop, I like talking to people who connect with our work,' says Yew. 'It's nice hearing their stories and realising even strangers share similar feelings and experiences.' Mew Movement offers an assortment of artworks, handicrafts and fun little knickknacks, such as stickers, postcards, washi tape, socks and phone cases – all designed by Ng and Yew themselves. One of Mew Movement's regulars, Faith Lai, 23, calls the shop 'an art paradise'. 'As an art student myself, I like seeing other people's art – it lights up my day when I'm feeling down. I try to visit Mew Movement at least once a month, and I like to bring different friends each time, as I love to watch them trying to figure out how to get into the shop,' says Lai with a laugh. She adds that the Mewracles section is her favourite part of the shop, as the artwork changes every few months. 'At this point, I think I've spent like RM400-RM500 here since I first started visiting. Everything is just so cute and relatable,' says Lai. As a space that blends art gallery and design studio, Yew says they never expected Mew Movement to come this far. 'To be honest, we were just thinking about giving it a year or so to see how it went. But now it's been four years, and we still feel like there's so much for us to play around and experiment with. 'We didn't expect such strong demand for art or how willing people are to spend on fun, cute things,' says Yew. 'But if our work or shop brightens someone's day, that makes us happy too.' Their current goal? To have Mew Movement become a must-visit stop for pop culture visitors, like Bangkok's Daddy And The Muscle Academy, a hipster paradise shop. 'If you ever feel stressed or burdened, you can come here to escape for a bit. You don't have to buy anything, just come and enjoy the art,' concludes Ng. Instagram: @mewmovement.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
KL fair illustrates life and love of art
The third edition of KLIF features 10,000 artworks from 180 Malaysian and regional artists, with three floors dedicated to displays, booths and interactive experiences. TO bring the craft of illustrators to a wider public, Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (KLIF) 2025 turned a mall into a multi-level, interactive art community. The four-day event displayed over 10,000 artworks by 180 artists from Malaysia and the region, and took over three floors of GMBB Mall in Bukit Bintang. For Petaling Jaya illustrator Eugene Foo, 43, the event presented opportunities to reach out to a large number of visitors. At his 'Saya Seekor Dinosaur' booth, he told StarMetro that his artwork was not aimed solely at children but was meant to resonate across generations. The main animated characters he created are Kenit and Hua Hua, two dinosaurs cared for by nine schoolchildren. In its third year, KLIF transformed the mall into a vibrant three‑floor showcase of local and regional talent.— YAP CHEE HONG/The Star 'As these children grow, they lose the ability to converse with the dinosaurs in my world of 'Saya Seekor Dinosaur'. 'Children adore the illustrations whereas adults appreciate the messages and backstories which they can relate to,' said Foo. According to event co-organiser Creators Project Associates, the third edition of KLIF attracted the public as well as commercial and advertising agencies. Its co‑founder Jang Chau Chie said, 'Brands usually collaborate with foreign artists and illustrators. 'This event shone a light on local talent and built bridges to prospective collaborators.' He said that this year, illustrators were provided with small booths as well as shoplots. 'We also have artists from Taiwan, Japan, China and other countries in South-East Asia,' he said, adding that the artists were in their 20s to 50s. Jang said 18,000 visitors explored the artists' booths and art galleries over the four days. At Taipei Corner, Hello Studio creative director Chen Yi Hsin said meeting local fans in person was exciting because this was her first time in Malaysia. 'Being here and seeing my fans allowed me to observe their habits and choices. 'Our fox character, Huichi, has truly made an impression on Malaysian audiences. 'We also have virtual reality at our booth to let our visitors experience life as it is in the book of Huichi. 'This includes scenery that I have illustrated,' she added. Nur Khairunnisha Fatini Mohd Khairuddin, 25, said this was her first visit to the fair. 'I had wanted to explore how illustrators in Malaysia expand their business and what inspires them to create these artworks. 'The artists are very inspirational because they create art with just pen and paper. 'The fair had a good vibe and I was amazed with the artists' talents,' she said, adding that she would visit KLIF again for new experiences and to see upcoming art.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
KL Illustration Fair 2025 goes big this year, expanding its scale and ambition
Syukur Rani, who works across fine art, murals, and digital media, is one of the featured artists at KLIF 2025. Photo: Syukur Rani The Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (KLIF) 2025 returns this week, bigger and bolder than ever, taking over three floors of the GMBB creative mall in Kuala Lumpur with a mix of artist booths, gallery showcases, art rooms, and interactive installations. This year's fair, from May 1-4, features 180 artists, illustrators, toy makers and designers from Malaysia, South-East Asia and beyond. Visitors start at the ground floor before exploring the Greybox, with the fourth and fifth floors showcasing KLIF 2025's artist line-up. "KLIF now takes a more immersive, inclusive approach, shifting from a showcase format to a dynamic mix of exhibitions, artist booths, talks, and live drawing — encouraging deeper audience engagement and creator dialogue,' says Si Juan, a curator and one of KLIF's pioneer team members. With its expanded format and rising profile, KLIF 2025 aims to draw 10,000 attendees - reflecting growing regional interest in illustration and visual storytelling. Photo: KLIF "With a 10,000 visitor target in sight, KLIF has also placed stronger emphasis on thematic zoning, highlighting regional narratives, emerging talent, and industry relevant topics through dedicated spaces like the Asian City Pavilion and Illustration Futures segment. These curated sections not only guide audience flow but also provide layers of discovery and storytelling. The fair's expanded programming now integrates community-driven content and collaborative projects, making it both a celebration and catalyst for illustration culture in the region," he adds. The featured artists include Enya Lim, a Malaysian teenager who blends her skateboarding spirit with artistic flair; Naho Ogawa, a Tokyo-based Japanese picture book artist returning to KL after 13 years; Jakarta pop-art sensation Muchlis Fachri (Muklay), known for his urban-inspired work; and multidisciplinary artist Syukur Rani, who combines surrealism and pop art with bold, dreamlike visuals. Visitors can catch live art demos throughout KLIF 2025. Photo: KLIF Also featured are I Love Doodle aka Lim Heng Swee, known for his minimalist, pun-filled doodles (often featuring cats) that spread joy globally; Shafiq Nordin, whose chimeric beasts confront social injustices; and graffiti artist Abdul Rashade (Acit), known for Nusantara flora and fauna. Be sure to also check out "The Reflection Tunnel" on the third floor, an immersive experience by Filamen and Enabling Academy. In this four-room installation, visitors will experience a sensory journey of light, shadow and reflection, urging them to confront societal biases and embrace inclusivity. At 12, Malaysian illustrator Enya Lim is ready to shine at KLIF 2025. Photo: Enya Lim "In collaboration with Enabling Academy via GMBB, we created an immersive tunnel experience to raise awareness about neurodiversity - especially ADHD, autism, and dyslexia - using art and tech to make complex topics more engaging and interactive for KLIF," says Abdul Shakir, one of the co-founders of digital art outfit Filamen. On the fourth floor is a continuation of KLIF's collaboration with Yunnan Arts University, as well as an exhibition by ArtPage x A4A Gallery, featuring works by Chinese artist Lin Wenjun (Junc). Curious about Taiwan? The Taipei Corners initiative, by Taipei City's Department of Cultural Affairs, is highlighting 10 Taiwanese illustration and IP brands. Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair, now in its third edition, is a ticketed event. More info here.
