Symbolic Statesman

Samantha Lim peruses the patriotic artworks at Teh Tarik and The Flag, ponders the symbolic power of the Jalur Gemilang, and participates in a well-timed exhibition at the National Visual Arts Gallery

Come see what these Malaysians have made for Malaysians,” beckons Lim Wei-Ling, founder of Wei-Ling Gallery and Wei-Ling Contemporary. Thus begins my tour of Teh Tarik and The Flag, and at an auspicious time too! Not only does 2018 mark the start of a new Malaysia, it brings with it two milestones: 61 years of independence for our country, and the celebration of National Visual Arts Gallery or Balai Seni Negara’s diamond jubilee.

“It’s quite telling, actually,” muses Wei-Ling. “One of the first things our founding fathers did after our independence in 1957 was to set up a national gallery in 1958. It’s clear there has always been an interest in cultivating Malaysian art and artists.”