KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has launched the CIMB Artober Art and Soul showcase, marking the start of one of Malaysia’s largest art events aimed at highlighting the nation's most talented artists. Her Majesty arrived at 11am, accompanied by Raja Di Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain, and was welcomed by CIMB Group chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad. The Queen spent around 30 minutes touring the gallery, engaging with artists and exhibitors, and attended a fashion show titled Bunga Lado by Royal Sembilan.
The event featured orchestral music and singing by CIMB Rising Star Asean champion Nuril, or Sharifah Nurilmuhayati Syed Hussain. More than 30 collections featuring Malaysian traditional brocade designs by five local designers, including students from Pasir Gudang Community College, were showcased. The art fair, running from Oct 25 to 27, takes place at Hall 1, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), with free admission.
Organised by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (CIMB), the annual showcase aims to support and empower Malaysia’s vibrant art community while positioning the country as a world-class hub for arts and culture. Over 1,000 artworks by more than 100 local artists will be featured, presented by 20 leading galleries including Taksu, Sareng, Segaris and Galeri Puteh. The event will also display 30 iconic works from The AFK Collection, a renowned archive dedicated to preserving contemporary Malaysian art, including.