Kuala Lumpur Launches Art KL Fair and Muara Arts Nonprofit Space in Autumn 2026
The art landscape in Kuala Lumpur is growing through two notable initiatives. From 15-18 October, Art KL, a boutique fair at A Place Where (APW), will present ten regional galleries alongside eight Malaysian artists, such as Farhan Rizuwan and Samantha Lee, with proceeds supporting The Lighthouse Children's Welfare Home. Co-founded by Richard Koh, APW, and Art Anonymous, this event aims to create more opportunities for emerging talents. In November, Muara Arts will debut in a refurbished shophouse in Medan Pasar, showcasing over 40 Southeast Asian artists, including Pacita Abad. Artistic director Lydia Yee emphasizes a 'museum moment' for Kuala Lumpur, anticipating additional cultural venues, with both initiatives supported by Creador Group's redevelopment efforts.
Key facts
- Art KL fair debuts 15-18 October at A Place Where (APW) in Kuala Lumpur, featuring ten regional galleries and Southeast Asian artists born after 1990.
- Muara Arts, a nonprofit space, opens in November in a renovated shophouse in Medan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur.
- Art KL is co-founded by Richard Koh, APW, and Art Anonymous; proceeds go to The Lighthouse Children's Welfare Home.
- Muara Arts will open with a survey of over 40 Southeast Asian artists, including Pacita Abad and Marcos Kueh, and plans two shows per year.
- An adjacent theatre is planned for 2029 as part of Creador Group's 50-plus-shoplot redevelopment.
- Lydia Yee, artistic director of Muara Arts, previously held senior curatorial roles at Whitechapel and Barbican galleries and The Bronx Museum of the Arts.
- Kuala Lumpur is experiencing a 'museum moment' with reopened landmarks like Seri Negara and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and upcoming Merdeka Textile Museum and Peranakan and Straits Chinese Museum.
- Art KL's curated section highlights eight Malaysian artists: Farhan Rizuwan, Lee Mok Yee, Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj, and Samantha Lee, among others.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Koh
- Lydia Yee
- Pacita Abad
- Marcos Kueh
- Farhan Rizuwan
- Lee Mok Yee
- Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj
- Samantha Lee
- Nirmala Dutt
- Ibrahim Hussein
- Latiff Mohidin
- Noor Mahnun Mohamed (Anum)
- Nadiah Bamadhaj
- Simryn Gill
- Pangrok Sulap
- Wong Hoy Cheong
- Yee I-Lann
- Valentine Willie
Institutions
- Art KL
- A Place Where (APW)
- Art Anonymous
- Muara Arts
- Ur-Mu Gallery
- Access KL Art Fair
- G13 Gallery
- CIMB Bank
- Artober
- The Star
- National Art Gallery
- Islamic Arts Museum
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Barbican Centre
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts
- Creador Group
- Merdeka Textile Museum
- Peranakan and Straits Chinese Museum
- The Lighthouse Children's Welfare Home
Locations
- Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Yogyakarta
- Indonesia
- Manila
- Philippines
- Medan Pasar
- Gombak River
- Klang River
- Seri Negara
- Sultan Abdul Samad Building