Upcoming Art Exhibitions at ILHAM Gallery
Introducing Powerful Art Exhibitions at ILHAM Gallery:
The Plantation Plot & POLLINATION 4: The Palms of Y/Our Hands
The Plantation Plot
The Plantation Plot will be showing on Level 5 at ILHAM Gallery.
Curated by emerging Malaysian curator Lim Sheau Yun, this exhibition examines the long-lasting impact of the plantation system on societies all around the world. It explores the plantation’s role in European imperialism and how it relied on the exploitation of human labour.
Here, we revisit the plantation system’s role in European imperialism—particularly in Southeast Asia. This exhibition reflects on how that event has cemented roots in modern-day implications and this persists in the issues of the oil palm plantations.
The exhibition features over 60 artworks by 27 artists from Southeast Asia, America, and more. Their works showcase their assessment of the socio-political and economic histories rooted in historical plantations. Notable participating artists include Allora & Calzadilla, Minia Biabiany, and Catriona Maddocks. These works address the historical consequences of plantations and the exploitation of indigenous people and migrant labourers.
Sugar, tea, and rubber shaped the global economy by producing crops and creating avenues for paid labour, but it also forced people of many different backgrounds into brutal workforce systems, leading to mass displacement and the destruction of local cultures due to the plantation system.
This art exhibition aims to challenge viewers to rethink the legacies of colonialism and the exploitation that continues until today.
Sculptures, paintings, video installations and drawings that express the social effects of this reality will be included in the exhibition. “..to recognize it’s strategies and unnatural histories to estrange it, and make aesthetic and narrative provocations anew. The plot must thicken.” says a representative from Kadist. The assembled works will hopefully affirm people’s awareness towards a global condition in the economy and damages arbitrated by plantations.
POLLINATION 4: The Palms of Y/Our Hands
POLLINATION 4: The Palms of Y/Our Hands will be showing on Level 3 at ILHAM Gallery. This exhibition focuses on migration stories from Myanmar, especially those between Penang and Yangon. Exploring the parallels and cycles of migration, mobility, and displacement, this edition of POLLINATION goes beyond typical portrayals of conflict. It focuses on resilience, friendship, and trust in times of crisis.
The 2021 military coup in Myanmar forced many to flee their homes but those stories that have been long overlooked.
Offering a reparative space, this exhibit seems to be an attempt to elevate and acknowledge the struggles the immigrants experienced.
Find video, photography, poetry, and collective mapping to explore the emotional and spiritual landscapes of people displaced by socio-economic conflict. The project spans across 13 time zones, from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Yangon, London, and Washington D.C. It invites viewers to experience the shared histories of migration and displacement through a diverse range of media.
Notable artists featured in POLLINATION 4 include Jae Jae, M, Okui Lala, and Steven Nyi Nyi. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on the impact of migration and the healing power of storytelling.
Curatorial Walkthroughs and Events
Both exhibitions offer special events for visitors to engage with the curators and artists. These events provide deeper insights into the exhibitions and the creative processes behind them. There are limited opportunities to catch insights from these esteemed figures, but it is worth making time for attending if you wish to delve deeper.
Here are some of the following confirmed events:
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Sunday, 20 April 2025
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11:30 AM: Curatorial walkthrough (in Burmese) with Steven Nyi Nyi
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2:30 PM: Curatorial walkthrough (in English) with Mark Teh, Diana Htwe, Okui Lala, Jae Jae, and Steven Nyi Nyi
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Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 8:00 PM
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Lecture performance by Diana Htwe, followed by a post-performance discussion
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You’ll get to hear directly from the artists and curators and gain a deeper understanding of the issues explored in the exhibitions.
A Platform for Dialogue and Collaboration
Both The Plantation Plot and POLLINATION 4 are part of ILHAM Gallery’s mission to create space for dialogue through art.
POLLINATION is a biannual platform connecting emerging curators and artists in Southeast Asia that provides critical support for creative projects that address important social issues.
These exhibitions allow artists to share their stories and perspectives with a global audience. By offering opportunities for collaboration and education, ILHAM Gallery plays a key role in the region’s art scene.
Plan Your Visit
ILHAM Gallery is one of the top destinations in Malaysia for experiencing compelling contemporary art. Whether you’re drawn to the historical commentary on colonialism in The Plantation Plot or the personal migration stories in POLLINATION 4, both exhibitions provide valuable perspectives on the human experience.
The Plantation Plot is available from April 20 to September 21, 2025, and POLLINATION 4 runs from April 20 to July 20, 2025.
For more details on the exhibitions, visit their Instagram , @ilhamgallery or check out their official website by clicking here.
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If you enjoyed this article, you might also like this article that has information about places that are worth visiting for arts and culture just like ILHAM Art Gallery! Click here: Instagram-able Art Spots & Museums in KL You Need to Visit
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