Cheng Yen Pheng's exhibition explores local politics through organic materials in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian artist Cheng Yen Pheng presented an exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, focusing on the political dimensions of village life through installations made from local materials. Her works, created from clay, ash, and plant fibers sourced from Batu Arang, Selangor, address both domestic tranquility and land disputes. The exhibition included pieces like 'Salt of the Land' (2020-25), a hanging quilt with Chinese characters representing household necessities, and 'Feathers on the floor, but we stand firm and tall' (2023-25), which references protests against a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator in Batu Arang. Cheng uses natural elements such as soil from her garden and paper from village trees, resulting in a tan palette that reflects sustenance infrastructures. Other works, like 'Feather mother, feather home' (2023-25) and 'One Ringgit Chicken' (2023), incorporate chicken imagery to symbolize affordability and sovereignty in a political economy. The exhibition was featured in the January & February 2026 issue of ArtReview, highlighting Cheng's role as a spokesperson for local environmental concerns.