Description of the attraction
The National Art Gallery is the country's most modern art space and its most aesthetic landmark. The location also corresponds to its purpose - between the most beautiful buildings of the National Library and the National Theater, next to the picturesque Titivangsa Lake.
The gallery presents the most complete collection of contemporary art in Malaysia. The permanent collection contains about three thousand works of local artists and painters from the countries of Southeast Asia. The gallery also serves as a venue for interesting exhibitions and educational programs.
The gallery building is yet another bold combination of different architectural traditions, in this case traditional Malaysian architecture with futuristic broken lines. They are complemented by multi-colored glass and an unusual shape, in the origami style, a metal roof. The main entrance is decorated with a fountain. The fact that the gallery is of contemporary art is evidenced by the bright graffiti along the path to the gallery.
The gallery was founded by the first prime minister in the history of independent Malaysia in 1958. It was originally intended not only for the exhibition of works. The gallery is the official platform for art workshops, as well as classes for teaching children to paint. Three floors of the complex accommodate galleries, open exhibition spaces, workshops, a resource center, a cafe, and an auditorium.
The interior is decorated in a cozy and spacious manner: polished wooden floors, warm lighting. Among the permanent exhibitions are the collection of ceramics from the beginning of the last century, a magnificent collection of Chinese ink painting, interesting sculptures, handicrafts, textiles, and engravings. There are funny exhibitions in the spirit of the installations of the Guggenheim Museum, for example, the exhibition of toilet bowls.
The second floor is dominated by works of Islamic painting, which, according to the canons of religion, excludes portraits. The first floor is given over to changing expositions of photography, sculpture, painting.
