Memes, interior inspo, lookbook, fitspo, cat videos – Instagram is the place to be when one seeks inspiration or fast-paced amusement. In a lot of ways, the social media platform has replaced the way we keep ourselves updated and entertained – especially on lockdown.
The app is also everyone’s go-to in discovering new creatives – whether to find inspiration or to seek out emerging artists in the industry. It also allows us to personally connect with some of favourite creators and artists, have an inside look at their process, and perhaps find new techniques or styles that one can incorporate into their own work.
And while the Fine Art scene in Malaysia is still considered young and developing, it’s not to say that the country is lacking artists, it’s anything but. Below, we’ve listed down 9 of the most unique artists that you should put on your Instagram radar – from contemporary illustrators to fine artists.
Red Hongyi
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Known as the artist who paints without a paintbrush, few can contend with the versatile artistry held by Sabah-born artist Red Hongyi. Some of the mediums she’s used for her installations include disposable bamboo chopsticks, Nespresso coffee capsules, and stained teabags. She also made local headlines when her cover art for TIME’s special April 2021 issue on climate change was unveiled, where 50,000 green-tipped matchsticks made up a 7.5 x 10-foot world map, and then lit ablaze to represent the global climate crisis.
Farah Mohan
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Under the moniker Novak Batik on Instagram, Farah Mohan isn’t your typical batik artist. Her batik designs merge dreams and reality, featuring scenes or figures inspired by folktales, stories, or emotions. She picked up batik after graduating in architecture, and eventually studied under a batik master to hone her craft and create the surrealistic, nostalgic designs she’s known for today. She even sells batik DIY kits online, so other fellow creatives can try their hand at batik painting.
Find out more about Farah Mohan and her work here.
Fahmi Reza
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Whether you respect him or are appalled by him, there’s no doubting that graphic designer and street artist Fahmi Reza has left an indelible mark on our country’s art history. Known for using art to protest against the conservative attitudes and corruption in Malaysia, he became a political icon when his satirical caricature of then-Prime Minister Najib Razak went viral. And no matter what the law throws at him, Fahmi has expressed that the charges against him have proved his images effective – and will continue putting up his satirical political works to bring attention to the country’s political state.
Eddie Putera
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Combining his skills in miniature modelling and photography, Eddie Putera creates incredibly detailed, stunning dioramas that offer a glimpse of how small the world can be. Each miniature diorama has a story to tell, usually based on memories and history. The time it takes to complete a single diorama can very from weeks to an entire year. His ultimate goal is to craft a set of dioramas that depict Kuala Lumpur’s growth from the 1800s to the current year – telling the history of KL and its progress.
Univorso
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A self-taught artist based in Kuala Lumpur, 25-year-old Adam Ummar specialises in the language of colour – creating bold, vibrant, abstract paintings that echo his admiration for artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Mark Rothko. To him, art is the best form of therapy, and his works typically revolve around themes of spirituality, mythology, philosophy, emotions, mental health, as well as the human experience.
Giralka
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If you’re fond of quirky illustrations, poignant collages, and well, cats, you ought to pay a visit to Hanna Anuar a.k.a giralka’s Instagram page. Now currently a freelance graphic designer, she creates various photo manipulations, illustrations, and collages that explore a surrealistic, gradient-filled universe, while “constantly finding ways to refract feelings into colours”.
Wabiko
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For Kexin Tan, her illustrations are a form of self-expression and self-exploration that allow her to rediscover the charm and beauty of everyday life. She draws under the alias Wabiko – an amalgamation of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, and wa bi (挖鼻), meaning “nose-picking” in Mandarin – the latter alluding to not caring how others perceive her. Her page is filled with neon illustrations, animations, and even collages that merge reality with a dreamlike world.
Lihuà
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Having practised Chinese calligraphy since the age of six, Kedah-born fashion illustrator Lihuà Wong eventually found that what was once a laborious chore could become a key element in her art. With her free-spirited, calligraphy-inspired brushstrokes and love for fashion, she soon became a sought-after fashion illustrator, attracting some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands such as Chanel, Prada, and Christian Dior. Today, she splits her time between illustrating and imparting wisdom to the students of The One Academy.
Kenji Chai
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If you’ve come across his “Chaigo” graffiti dogs around town (or if you remember the giant rooster graffiti at Nando’s in Petaling Street), you’re probably a little familiar with the works of Kenji Chai. It was the restrictions of working as a graphic designer that pushed Chai to pursue his freedom to create, eventually becoming an internationally-respected street artist. His works are bold, whacky, and colourful – and can even be found outside of Malaysia such as China, Spain, Korea, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan.