KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 — At its best, art is a provocative and powerful experience. No one wants just a pretty picture on the wall.

Today, it’s important that art carries a point of view, and not only a static visual for pure admiration.

Curated on this idea is ARTisFAIR/KL 2022, a public art exhibition that aims to give artists a democratic platform.

"ARTisFAIR/KL was created to encourage conversations on social issues, politics, emotions, culture, spirituality ... widening the scope of creative freedom. And to make art accessible to everyone,” said ARTisFAIR/KL co-founder and creative director Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran.

In 2021, it made its debut at Fahrenheit88 in Bukit Bintang with over 2,000 artwork and 500 artists.

"Last year was all about the ‘extravaganza’ to offer everyone as much as possible over three floors of gallery space, complete with interactive art rooms and Malaysia’s first-ever NFT studio,” Bernard explained.

"This year, we’ve changed the format to keep it tightly curated to artists who are making waves in Southeast Asian contemporary art,” added the respected fashion designer.

On December 16, ARTisFAIR/KL 2022 was launched with 88 artists showcasing some 550 artwork - all available for purchase across affordable price ranges.

Within this is gallery-in-exhibition Fergana Art led by owner-curator Jaafar Ismail, to support galleries that set the foundation for the emerging art community.

Creating a fresh scene

With ARTisFAIR/KL, Bernard aspires to create a fresh scene for players in the art world who want a different format from traditional art galleries.

"There are solo and mini-solo exhibitions within the space to showcase regional talent, with the vibe of global art museums like Palais Tokyo, The Pinault Collection, Tate Modern and those warehouse galleries in New York where contemporary art meets raw madness.

"The lighting is imperfect, the walls are gritty, the whole recycled set-up champions sustainability — but there’s beauty in everything,” Bernard enthused.

"This year, the on-ground experience is visually stunning,” shared ARTisFAIR/KL co-founder Andrew Yap.

"Not just paintings on walls but installation art that really engage the eyes and the senses,” Yap added.

From Penang to Jakarta

"We’ve always approached this passion project organically, navigating our way from the ground level up, to really capture what artists are thinking and feeling, to keep it authentic and connected to people,” explained Bernard.

He had travelled from Penang to Jakarta to meet the exhibiting artists in person to understand their work deeper, and support them collaboratively by widening their thought processes.

Earlier this year, Bernard explored the museums and galleries in Paris with Malaysian sculptor Ono Kang as an educative experience.

"This trip really opened up Ono’s mind to the wider art world, particularly at Centre Pompidou, where all artistic disciplines meet,” mused Bernard.

Inspired, Ono created seven original metalwork installations on site for ARTisFAIR/KL 2022.

Other artists showing include Firdaus Musthafa, known for his highly textured canvasses; intriguing human collages by Didung Putra; and Deny Bojong’s hauntingly symbolic art.

From Malaysia, Isa Ishak, Ash Nisfudin, Alessia Dona, Ambika, and Huzaide Tian are key highlights.

ARTisFAIR/KL 2022 is open to the public until January 15, 2023, 10am to 9pm, on the third floor of Fahrenheit88. Admission is RM5, refundable on books purchased on the same day.

For more details, visit https://www.artisfairkl.com/.