'Creating The Future Through Textile Design’ Exhibition Runs Until May 31

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- The exhibition titled “Naratif: Mencipta Masa Depan Melalui Rekaan Tekstil” (Narrative: Creating the Future Through Textile Design), organised by the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM), is being held at the Saindera Gallery of the National Textile Museum until May 31.

The textile works, created by 16 students from the Bachelor of Arts and Design (Honours) in Textile Technology at the Faculty of Art and Design, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), showcase textiles as a dynamic medium that bridges tradition, sustainability and contemporary practices through material experimentation, surface innovation and design narratives.

The exhibition not only displays creative and conceptual works exploring textiles as expressive art forms, but also highlights reinterpretations of textile techniques, particularly batik, weaving and conventional and digital printing.

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JMM deputy director-general (Policy) Mohamad Shawali Badi said textiles are not merely materials or wearable products, but symbols of identity, history and cultural values that transcend race and generations, thus serving as a unifying medium for society.

"When this heritage is translated into the form of contemporary designs, it reflects continuity between traditional roots and future aspirations, an approach that supports the development of a united, inclusive and competitive society,” he said at the launch of the exhibition here today.

He said the MADANI government, through the Ministry of National Unity, constantly encourages the implementation of inclusive programmes, in line with efforts to strengthen national unity through the preservation, appreciation and empowerment of cultural heritage as a unifying medium for society.

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Meanwhile, UiTM Faculty of Art and Design deputy dean (Academic Affairs) Assoc Prof Dr Zainuddin Ibrahim said textile design education remains highly relevant and needs to be emphasised, especially in the current global context.

"Textiles are not merely materials; they are carriers of culture, contributors to the economy and drivers of innovation. UiTM stands proudly as the only local university offering programmes that maintain a careful balance in traditional textile techniques, such as weaving, batik, printing and contemporary textile design, in line with industry needs.

"This balance ensures that heritage knowledge is preserved, while innovation and sustainability remain as the core of our graduates’ future practice,” he said.

Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to view works developed both as a standalone textile art piece and as design applications for fashion, interiors and lifestyle, reflecting a dual creative and commercial orientation.

-- BERNAMA