Poland Opens First Art Gallery In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Poland's first art gallery in Malaysia, Collect Art World, featuring a collection of selected works by Polish contemporary artists from the fine art academies opened here on Thursday. It was jointly opened by Poland's Deputy Head of Mission in Malaysia Dominik Malek, Chairman of National Visual Arts Development Board Dayang Fatimah Tom Abang Saufi and the owner of the Collect Art World Gallery and art curator Monika Lauridsen. The gallery currently features collection of selected works by Polish contemporary artists from fine art academies namely, Monika Wejcman, Sylwia Szafert, Prof Michał Sikora, Marta Kunikowska- Mikulska, Malgorzata Rudzka, Jacek Mirczak and Marta Zawadzka. "The idea to open a Polish Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur was born in Warsaw in 2019 at 'KawaŁykSztuki' ('Piece of Art') - a famous art gallery as well as popular food and beverage place located in the heart of Warsaw." "It was there, during an inspiring talk with the gallery owner, an artist herself and two art curators Monika Wejcman and Monika Lauridsen, where the idea of an art gallery came to life, over a cup of coffee," said Lauridsen in her speech. She explained that in the future, the gallery would like to support Malaysian artists to showcase their artworks in Poland and that its next mission was to curate an exhibition on the subject of world peace with the participation of Polish and Malaysian artists. Lauridsen said as art opens new horizons, they also welcomed the idea to launch the concept of art exchange between European and Asian countries - Poland and Malaysia. "With the motto, art beyond borders unites hearts and nations, Collect Art World Gallery is planning a monthly exhibition by Polish and Malaysian artists. It is aspiring to be a trendy, cultural new hang out art hub featuring old cultural movies in a bohemian-style garden. We are also planning to host talks and programmes about artists, designers, singers and other art curators. She further said that the Collect Art World Gallery has its own art studio, where visitors can sign up for individually custom-made art classes. "It is ready for teenagers and adults alike, who would like to explore the idea of painting and playing with colours, but do not have the necessary facilities at home. A chance to create a new art-bonding family time or to simply paint in solitude," Lauridsen said. The Polish art gallery is located at No 282, Lorong Maarof in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the Cultural Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer, Embassy of Poland in Malaysia, JoAnna Jurczyga said the embassy is planning various cultural events in Malaysia for the year 2023 and 2024 after not being able to undertake such programmes during the pandemic lockdown. -- BERNAMA