National Art Gallery Showcases 'Tumbuh' Installation In Hanya Satu Exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The National Art Gallery is showcasing Tumbuh, an installation piece created through a collaboration between Azam Aris and Yuki Mun, as part of the Hanya Satu (Single) exhibition running from Sept 30 to Dec 20.

In a statement today, the National Art Gallery said Tumbuh draws inspiration from folklore about unseen forest guardians believed to maintain the balance of nature.

The concept serves as the foundation for an artwork exploring the quiet yet continuous process of growth and the often-invisible connection between humanity and the natural world.

Standing approximately 14 feet (4.26 metres) tall, the installation is made from natural materials, including coconut shells, rice straw, coconut tree trunks and jute rope, arranged into an organic structure.

“The form of the piece is inspired by the way plants grow naturally through irregular movements: bending, twisting, branching out and expanding without following a straight path,” the statement said.

The gallery noted that the use of everyday natural materials, such as coconut shells and rice straw, was central to the artwork. By transforming these familiar objects into new visual forms and spatial contexts, the installation demonstrates the creative potential of natural materials in contemporary art.

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, Tumbuh invites visitors to reconsider humanity’s relationship with nature, which often receives insufficient attention.

The artwork highlights the importance of preserving this connection to maintain balance and harmony between people and their environment.

The gallery added that the organic materials would cause Tumbuh to undergo natural changes throughout the exhibition.

“These transformations form part of the metaphor conveyed by the piece, representing a growth process that is constantly evolving and adapting to its surrounding environment,” the statement said.

The public is invited to visit the Hanya Satu (Single) exhibition at the National Art Gallery, which runs until Dec 20.

For more information on the exhibition and related programmes, visit www.artgallery.gov.my or follow the National Art Gallery’s official social media channels.

-- BERNAMA