Exhibition by local artists returns in commemoration of country’s independence and Malaysia Day

As part of Maybank’s ongoing effort to drive the nation’s art industry forward, Balai Seni Maybank is hosting an exhibition themed “HARI-HARI MALAYSIA: A Collection of Wordless Comics Celebrating Independence and Nationhood 2022”. The art exhibition will once again enable art lovers to rekindle the joy of appreciating art works of many forms - showcased in a physical setting.

Maybank Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said that the Bank is pleased to be reopening Balai Seni Maybank which is a key platform to promote art works of local artists and raise awareness of Malaysia’s rich artistic talents and its numerous forms of art.

“After more than a two-year hiatus, our Balai Seni returns, and we are excited to reconnect with the artists and art lovers from across the country. This latest exhibition is very close to our heart as it underlines the importance of independence while showcasing the diversity and creativity of the arts, as well as the joys of appreciating the many iterations and interpretations of fine arts through the lens of young and emerging local artists.”

“HARI-HARI MALAYSIA: A Collection of Wordless Comics Celebrating Independence and Nationhood 2022” exhibition brings together comics or sequential art that has long appealed to the younger generation due to its image-rich medium. Over time, it has evolved from being mere disposable entertainment into a distinct art form celebrated on par with literature. It is a versatile platform for self-expression and imagination, owing to the advancement in illustration software. It can be taken up easily by almost anyone that has the talent and passion for it.

This exhibition features 88 artworks from 21 comic artists selected from the submissions to the Bank’s annual MyTIGER Values art and design competition, which is currently in its fifth year. They are all in digital and printed cartooning medium, and are centred on various themes of life including the stories of different levels of society, living in Malaysia. Through these pieces, the artists express their thoughts and youthful optimism on what makes Malaysia special and why it can be so much more as the nation celebrates its independence and nationhood. These stories are easily understood by anyone regardless of age or culture, and dynamic in terms of its storytelling format and artistic presentation.

Tan Sri Zamzamzairani who is also Chairman of Maybank Foundation added that the reopening of Balai Seni Maybank is part of the Group’s sustainability commitment to improving the lives of 1 million households across ASEAN by 2025.

“It is great to see the growing positive response received for the annual competition and series of exhibitions organised throughout the years in our journey to promote the artistic creativity of our youths. We hope to encourage more young talents to showcase their works and further develop their craft so that they may be able to pursue this passion as a full-time profession and be recognised for it one day.”

Wong Chi Ying, who is one of the participating artists, said that comics or sequential art has always held a special place in her heart. “I am really happy that Maybank is providing a platform for young artists to showcase and celebrate the beautiful culture of our nation in conjunction with Independence Day.”

“When I received the invitation, I was ecstatic! Maybank brought us together and gave us the liberty to showcase our creative abilities. Crafting the visual message for a broad audience was daunting at first, but it gave me a sense of purpose to convey reasons that I believe that truly makes us Malaysian,” said Marsya Binti Akmal Hizam.

“This initiative is a great way to showcase new talents, and to use comics and sequential art as a storytelling method to educate the public about patriotism. As a comic artist myself, I believe Balai Seni Maybank provides young artists a platform to share and express our creative side,” shared Tunku Yusrina Tunku Nazrin.

The art exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) and 11am to 4pm (Saturday) until 30 September 2022. Admission to Balai Seni Maybank which is on the first floor of Menara Maybank is free.

Balai Seni Maybank has been actively hosting Malaysian and international artists since its establishment in the 1980s. Some of the biggest names in the local art scene today have, in the past, exhibited their artworks at Balai Seni Maybank, which continues to support the new generation of visual arts practitioners.

Maybank Foundation, which was established in 2010, actively supports community programmes under six key pillars namely Arts & Culture, Education, Community Empowerment, Environmental Diversity, Healthy Living and Disaster Relief.