CIMB Artober Art & Soul Highlights

Artas Galeri, G13 Gallery, SARENG, Segaris Art Center and TAKSU
By A&M

Ong Cai Bin, 'Brave New World', 2023, graphite charcoal, colour pencils on 300gsm saunders waterford acid free paper, 70 x 150cm (triptych). Image courtesy of the artist and SARENG Gallery.

CIMB Artober Art & Soul 2023 will officially launch on 5 October, with a VIP preview taking place in the evening. It will be open to the public on 6 October. Ahead of the fair, we ask five galleries what they will be presenting. Scroll down to preview the artworks Artas Galeri, G13 Gallery, SARENG, Segaris Art Centre and TAKSU that you can expect to see, and the hopes that participating gallerists have for the sophomore edition of the fair. 

Artas Galeri

Raja Shahriman, 'Nafas no 40', 2021, metal, 50 x 75cm. Image courtesy of Artas Galeri.

Artas Galeri is returning to the fair. “I am thrilled to be a part of this upcoming CIMB Art Expo, where creativity knows no bounds,” says Founder and Director Roy Ng.  “I truly believe that art has the power to inspire, provoke thought, and ignite conversations. We are driven by the desire to connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts, to showcase artworks by artists I work closely with, and to experience the diverse world of contemporary art in Malaysia that is still growing.”

Faez Fahmi, 'The Nature Bliss', 2023, acrylic, white cement and industrial paint on canvas, 90 x 90cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Artas Galeri.

Khairi Fakhri, 'Perahu Besar Bedar', 2023, birumen on canvas, 152 x 213cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Artas Galeri.

The gallery is preparing for a group presentation of over 20 artists, including sculptors Raja Shahriman, Dr Hanif Khairi, Zainuddin Abindinhazir, Iskandar, Aboud Fares and Mat Ali Mat Som. A highlight work by Raja Shahriman, ‘Nafas no 40’ is on offer for RM22,000. Other artists include Faez Fahmi and Khairi Fakhri, with a range of prices that will suit different budgets, such as ‘The Nature Bliss’ by Faez Fahmi at RM3,150 to ‘Perahu Besar Bedar’ by Khairi Fakhri at RM15,750.

Ng adds, “I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the art community, exchange ideas, and, above all, to be inspired by the incredible talent that this art expo promises to bring together.”

G13 Gallery

Sharifah Fatimah, 'Joyous Light 23', 2023, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 100cm. Image courtesy of the artist and G13 Gallery.

Suzlee Ibrahim, 'Surface Series: The Farm No. 3', 2011, acrylic and oil on wood, 122 x 122cm. Image courtesy of the artist and G13 Gallery.

G13 Gallery is similarly putting together a group presentation, showing artworks from emerging artists to senior artists, including Sharifah Fatimah and Suzlee Ibrahim.  “CIMB Artober is unique because it does not only focus on visual art but also collaborates with other art forms, such as fashion design,” says Founder Kenny Teng. “This synergy between different art fields creates a vibrant atmosphere and opens doors for a broader community to engage with and appreciate art. We're thrilled to be part of this event as it allows us to showcase our work to a diverse audience and experience the dynamic intersection of various art forms at the fair.” Prices of the artworks range from RM6,000 to RM80,000.

SARENG

Anuar Rashid, 'Between Heaven and Earth • Anita', 2019, oil on canvas, 185 x 245.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and SARENG Gallery.

Sabri Idrus, 'Calculus', 2023, acrylic on canvas, 178 x 229cm.  Image courtesy of the artist and SARENG Gallery.

At SARENG’s booth, there will be works by Sabri Idrus, Anuar Rashid and Ong Cai Bin. “At CIMB Artober, we will be presenting works that are visually unique and authentic in story and ideas,” says Syukur Ali, Director and Co-Founder, SARENG. “And because art has always recorded and reflected our nation building aspirations, we will be showcasing local artists who have the vision to produce work in a social and cultural context.” 

Segaris Art Centre

Fawwaz Sukri, ‘Mural Series #2 – Mystery Marvel’, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 152 x 107cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Segaris Art Center.

Fawwaz Sukri, ‘Mural Series #3 – Mystic Wonder’, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 152 x 107cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Segaris Art Center.

Segaris Art Centre will focus on the works of Fawwaz Sukri. “While his immediate experiences were distinctly Malaysian, Fawwaz was consistently exposed to the West, particularly America, through cartoons, comics, music and news,” says General Manager Afidatul Aisyah Ahmad.  “His particular brand of pop art highlights the global phenomenon of cultural homogenisation via media and our increased addiction to consuming information visually, a phenomenon heightened by the advent of social media platforms nowadays.” The 18 works by the artist on show range from RM3,000 to RM25,000.

TAKSU Galleries

Agnes Lau, 'Shaping in', 2022, mixed media on fired clay, industrial glue, paint and varnish on plywood, 122 x 122cm. Image courtesy of the artist and TAKSU Galleries.

Fazrin Abd Rahman, 'Fractal 2', 2023, spray paint on aluminium strips, 152.5 x 152.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and TAKSU Galleries.

Fauzulyusri, 'Kontra', 2022, mixed media on jute, 174 x 220cm. Image courtesy of the artist and TAKSU Galleries.

Zulkifli Lee, 'Kembang Walau Melonkolia', 2023, burned paper collage & acrylic, 65 x 65cm. Image courtesy of the artist and TAKSU Galleries.

TAKSU Gallery will be bringing works from Agnes Lau,  Fauzulyusri, Fazrin Abd Rahman and Zulkifli Lee, among others. “Embracing the spirit of diversity with over 20 talented artists, each with its own unique perspective, we aim to celebrate the dynamic cultural narratives, visions, and emotions that define our nation's artistic landscape and share our passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity,” says Director Suherwan Abu. “We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to engage with a global audience, fostering cross-cultural dialogues and meaningful connections through our curated collection. This art fair is a canvas where stories come to life.  We aspire to leave a lasting impact on the art community, and contribute to the growth and appreciation of art.”

To read more about the CIMB Artober Art & Soul, read our first story on the fair here. CIMB Artober Art & Soul takes place alongside CIMB Artober Fashion Week at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, from 6 to 8 October 2023. The two events are part of CIMB Artober, a three-month campaign by the bank to champion visual art, which takes place from 1 October to 31 December this year.