What happens to our culture when our nature disappears?
PROJECT RIWAYAT: Katha 1: Voices of the Vanishing brings to light a powerful truth: the health of Malaysia’s environment and its cultural vitality are inseparable. This exhibition explores the “singular tragedy” that occurs when ecological degradation leads to cultural erasure; as species vanish, so do the stories, dances, and crafts they once inspired.
Through the innovative puppetry of Bright Ong, which bridges the gap between tradition and the contemporary, and the intricate embroidery of Christine Das, whose work visualizes a world “hanging by a thread,” the exhibition suggests that as our wildlife disappears, the very soul of our craftsmanship vanishes with it, leaving our cultural identity hollowed out. These works issue a poignant wake-up call, signaling that our collective identity is precariously balanced and that the survival of our heritage depends entirely on the survival of the natural world.
This project is made possible with the support of Yayasan Hasanah, ArtsFAS, Penang Art District, AAYU Homes, Hin Bus Depot, and COEX.
1 - 17 May 2026 | 10:00am - 6:00pm (expect Wed)