Ilham Gallery exhibition explores Malaysia's 1990s counterculture through art and parody
The Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur is hosting 'Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody in 1990s K.L.', a collective exhibition running from 13 October to 9 March, showcasing the works of 20 artists and collectives across diverse media. The exhibition derives its title from a 1998 documentary by Zakiah Omar and Hanno Baethe. Among the highlights is Liew Kung Yu's installation 'Pasti Boleh / Sure Can One (1997)', which features significant development projects. Yee I-Lann's 'Apathy (1997)' series captures feelings of disillusionment during political turmoil. Additionally, the Instant Café Theatre Company's videos, starring Jo Kukathas, offer satire on events such as Anwar Ibrahim's trial. The exhibition examines the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the Reformasi movement's influence on artistic expression, juxtaposing the 1990s counterculture with current limitations on political commentary.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody in 1990s K.L.' at Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
- Dates: 13 October – 9 March
- Features 20 artists and collectives from 1990s Malaysia
- Includes sculptures, installations, textile works, paintings, prints, videos, and archival materials
- Named after a 1998 documentary by Zakiah Omar and Hanno Baethe
- Highlights works by Liew Kung Yu, Yee I-Lann, and Instant Café Theatre Company
- Explores themes of globalization, political satire, and counterculture during Malaysia's economic boom and 1997 crisis
- Contextualizes the Reformasi movement and its impact on artistic expression
Entities
Artists
- Liew Kung Yu
- Yee I-Lann
- Zakiah Omar
- Hanno Baethe
- Jo Kukathas
- Anwar Ibrahim
Institutions
- Ilham Gallery
- Instant Café Theatre Company
- Artis Pro Activ
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia
- Berlin
- Germany
- Australia
- Europe
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan