With the help of collective artist Gung Ho, the iconic lifestyle brand W Kuala Lumpur has partnered with Gallery des Artistes for a new series of art collaborations. According to General Manager of W Kuala Lumpur Volker Burth, the Gung Ho team which includes British Pop artist Jonny Zerox, Malaysian-born artist HONG, and gallerist and interior designer Edith HO, has closely worked with the hotel since its debut in 2018.
Guests can enjoy the collaboration, which spans throughout the hotel, from the ground floor up to WOOBAR on the 8th floor and the E-WOW Suite on the 23rd floor. A labyrinth of colours and pop art effects adorn every piece, showcasing the details and skills of the artists.
Porte-cochere on the Ground Floor
On the ground floor, guests are greeted with Gung HO’s Pop Art with a Chinese twist, known as Pop Orient. The Pop Orient line features distinctive, elegant works of art and design that are sexy and contemporary. Guests also get the chance to admire a pop art wedding cake design with green flora created in 2018 by French artist Hersk as a tribute to Malaysia’s Twin Towers.
When asked about the requirements of choosing art for hotels, Burth said: “Having unique and intriguing local art with a story adds to a memorable guest experience in the hotel, which is essentially what lifestyle hotels strive for,”.
WOOBAR on the 8th Floor
The 8th floor features a collection known as Crazy Asians – created by Gung HO during the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection of pieces is fun and provocative while emphasizing bright colours and displays attitudes via hand gestures.
“Colourful things happen when artists and hotels work together. In a hotel, art is never just something to see. When used properly, the artwork becomes an integral part of the guest experience, enhancing not just the design narrative, but the entire brand image,” says Burth.
FLOCK on the 8th Floor
In association with Gung HO, American artist Shy Guy created the collection Buzz Light Words. The collection features typographic artworks and neon art that conveys potent messages about the state of the world today.
“Our guests want to see something different, instead of going in the direction of uniformity, we choose to make our spaces stand out and highlight for guests that they are in a space of uniqueness,” says the General Manager of W Kuala Lumpur.
YEN on the 11th Floor
Possibly the highlight of the entire collection is found at YEN. The Pop Orient range continues on the 11th floor, in a vast variety of canvases including light boxes, art on glass, art on lazy susan and a customised designed antique porter chair.
“Art is part of the unique, locally driven and thoughtfully curated experiences guests look for when choosing or frequenting a hotel, as the guests feel more relaxed and connected to the hotel experience and thus the intention we as a hotel have for all those who step into our door,” says Burth.
E-WOW Suite on the 23rd Floor
In the stunning E-WOW Suite are murals that were specially created in France. The first exuded a theme of “Jungle in the city”, which pays homage to Kuala Lumpur, a beautiful green metropolis. Then, Gung HO’s most recent compilation, “Empress Chill,” was unveiled – a breathtaking four-piece collection that would add personality to any nook or corner.
For more information or to book a stay, visit W Kuala Lumpur.
Photos by W Kuala Lumpur.