20/02/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | FEB 20, 2026

21

Art of joy I F you have travelled along Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (formerly Jalan Semarak) lately, you may have noticed a vibrant transformation. On a stretch once dominated by plain white walls, a sprawling tapestry of blues, terracotta and sunshine yellow now marks the debut of world-renowned Japanese muralist Lulu Kouno. o Lulu Kouno makes Malaysian debut by transforming KCH Tea Merchants estate

The Art of “Place-Making” Kouno, whose portfolio includes global collaborations with Columbia Sportswear and murals in paediatric wards across Asia and Africa, specialises in “Place-making” – the art of turning sterile urban spaces into vibrant community hubs. Her “Happy Art” philosophy found deep resonance with the KCH story, integrating a striking celestial duality: a large, radiant sun transitioning into a starry night sky. This iconography, rooted in traditional Japanese Yamato-e art, reflects the eternal passage of time and human dedication. The project took on a deeply personal dimension as Joshua Ong, the grandson of the late founder, joined Lulu on the ground to paint. Together, they replaced the building’s stark white exterior with Lulu’s signature Art of Joy . This was not just about aesthetics. It was about a grandson honouring his grandfather’s struggle by inviting modern creativity into a historic space. “I am thrilled to have facilitated Kouno’s first project here,” said Christine Ngh, the project facilitator

In a poignant blend of Japanese artistry and Malaysian heritage, Kouno has unveiled her first Malaysian project: a transformation of the historic Koh Chuan Huat (KCH) Tea Merchants headquarters. Curated by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers and sponsored by AkzoNobel Malaysia for Reka Design Week 2025, the mural serves as a living tribute to one of Kuala Lumpur’s most enduring family legacies. KCH, a third-generation tea merchant, occupies a site that is a rare sanctuary of history in the Dato Keramat neighbourhood. Behind the newly colourful walls sit century-old bungalows, meticulously preserved to honour the colonial-style architecture and a family story of resilience dating back to the 1940s.

The mural has replaced the building’s stark white exterior with Kouno’s signature Art of Joy. – PICS FROM FACEBOOK @URBANARTCENTRALMALAYSIA

who has managed numerous local mural initiatives since 2010. “By synergising international talent with local heritage, we are creating a style that is completely fresh and new for the Malaysian audience. “We hope to bring her back often to collaborate with more local artists to see what the combination of Malaysian and Japanese can bring to the conversation.”

The mural serves as a living tribute to one of Kuala Lumpur’s most enduring family legacies.

Kouno’s ‘Happy Art’ philosophy has found deep resonance with the KCH story.

Kouno (left) and volunteer Ridzwan A Rahim, an editor at Bernama.

Newly-opened Raja Shahriman Art Gallery elevates national heritage

BEHIND the row of imposing iron sculptures at the Raja Shahriman Art Gallery in Bukit Chandan here lies a three-decade story of an artist’s sacrifice, perseverance and unwavering passion to elevate Malaysia’s sculptural art to the global stage. For Raja Shahriman Raja Aziddin, 59, the newly-opened gallery is more than a personal achievement. It is a space designed to invite the public to engage with sculpture as a medium of visual communication that is imbued with values, culture and local heritage. The gallery, which is open to the public free of charge, houses more than 20 of his original works, each with its own narrative and touching on aspects of Malay culture and local heritage. “This gallery is a manifestation of my artistic journey spanning more than 30 years. It is not merely about aesthetic beauty, but also the messages we want to convey to society on the value of art and heritage. “I want the public to understand that sculpture is something special… it is a form of communication that is delivered visually to the public,” he said when met by Bernama after the

For Raja Shahriman, the newly-opened gallery is more than a personal achievement. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

Raja Shahriman is the only wrought iron sculptor in Malaysia.

with the support of Yayasan Hasanah. He said the selection of Raja Shahriman under the KKSED programme adds value to efforts in strengthening cultural heritage while fostering a more resilient local community in terms of quality of life, economy and culture. “We also hope this effort will create opportunities for economic growth through creative activities and art- and culture-based tourism,” he said.

the younger generation, to appreciate sculptural art not merely as a hobby but as a meaningful medium of communication and a valuable cultural legacy,” he said. Meanwhile, Faeedz Saidi Othman of Think City said the establishment of the gallery was supported by the Kuale Grants Programme under the Kuala Kangsar Sustainable Community Development (KKSED) programme, managed by Think City

understanding of the distinctiveness of local sculptural art. He believes the initiative can contribute to the positive growth of Malaysia’s creative arts landscape while ensuring cultural heritage continues to be preserved and appreciated across society. “I acknowledgethis field has a limited following. However, it carries strong aesthetic value and profound messages. We want society, especially

official opening ceremony of the Raja Shahriman Art Gallery. Raja Shahriman, the only wrought iron sculptor in Malaysia, previously gained international recognition when two of his sculptures were placed at the Fukuoka Art Museum in Japan in 1996. The Kuala Kangsar-born artist said the gallery also aims to expose younger generations and people from all walks of life to a deeper