Galeri Khazanah’s third virtual art exhibition, Embracing the Beauty Within: Unleashing Imagination highlights the theme of humanity that celebrates society, culture, landscape, flora and fauna. The selected artworks convey unique and positive narratives that encourage an optimistic outlook on life observed by the artists.

Through mesmerising visual narratives, the artworks express themes of people and places; identity and land; social and cultural affairs, environmental values; and philosophical contemplations in meaningful interpretations.

Among the artists featured in Embracing the Beauty Within: Unleashing Imagination are Ismail Zain; Kok Yew Puah; Long Thien Shih; Mad Anuar Ismail; Mustapa Ibrahim; Nadiah Bamadhaj; Dr Zakaria Ali; Zaharuddin Sarbini; and more.

Also highlighted are thought-provoking and conceptually-driven artworks by selected Khazanah Residency Programme recipients, namely Izat Arif, Joshua Kane Gomes, Mark Tan, Tomi Heri, Winnie Cheng, Yeoh Choo Kuan and Zulkifli Lee.

Curated by Malaysian art consultant Sarah Abu Bakar and designed by Malaysian architecture firm Fei Architect, and photographed by Wesley Wong of Giclee Art Sdn Bhd, Galeri Khazanah consists of five thematic virtual reality spaces – the Glass Room, Pavilion; Peranakan, Traditional House; and Lobby.

The design concept is anchored in the theme of national identity to complement the original curatorial approach of celebrating Malaysia.

Fei Architect founder and principal, Ar. Lam Shen Fei, who took part in the Khazanah Design Residency 2019, describes the design purpose as a “…relook at architecture, interiors and landscape to depict the architectural styles of Malaysia, while taking into account that the online gallery will be accessed by foreigners, academicians, art enthusiasts and students. Such styles are crucial to creating a narrative that casts an impression during the virtual tour. This intention subverts the backdrop of ubiquitous white plain space of Western art galleries.”

This project is also in memory of a critical team member, Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad, an independent art advisor and collector who sadly passed away in November 2021.