Siang Malam Mamak by Kide Baharudin.
In a vibrant celebration of identity, culture and belonging, negaraku II opens this August at Hin Bus Depot, Penang, offering a timely reflection on what it means to be Malaysian in today’s world. Building on the success of last year’s negaraku, this second instalment deepens the exploration of nationhood through an evocative collection of contemporary Malaysian art.
Curated by Ivan Gabriel and produced by Hin Bus Depot, negaraku II draws from the private collections of Bingley Sim and Ima Norbinsha — two dedicated collectors known for championing socially engaged Malaysian art. The exhibition features approximately 35 curated works, many presented in thematic groupings, with the total number of pieces reaching around 60.
A Malaysian Narrative
The Hin Bus Depot exhibition space.
This year’s theme, Rakyat Hidup, Bersatu dan Maju (“The People Live, United and Progressive”), underscores the lived realities of Malaysians from all walks of life. Through artworks addressing migration, food, daily rituals, and collective memory, the show honours the complexity of a national identity shaped by both harmony and hardship.
“The exhibition is a call to re-examine what it means to belong,” explains curator Ivan Gabriel. “We’ve structured the exhibition into bab — thematic chapters — each offering a different lens into Malaysia’s evolving story, while also allowing space for visitors to form their own interpretations.”
(L-R) Bingley Sim and Ivan Gabriel.
Notably, the exhibition includes newly commissioned works from selected artists, ensuring the show remains rooted in contemporary concerns. In addition to visual art, negaraku II features a robust public programme, including multilingual guided tours in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Sign Language — making it accessible to diverse audiences.
Bridging art and everyday experience, the exhibition also embraces Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage. Live food demonstrations offer a multisensory encounter that invites visitors to not just observe, but participate in the cultural narrative.
Supported by Yayasan Mr. D.I.Y. and Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers, negaraku II is free to the public and runs from 1 to 31 August 2025.
(Photos: Shankar Laxminarayan)
