OUR STORY
How it started...
Khalid MS, founder of Artists’ Corner
Driven by the awareness to “bring art to the people” and to help sustain local artists who also lost their income due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Khalid Mohd Sapari established Artists’ Corner at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
As the founder of Artists’ Corner, he realized that local artists did not have a space to showcase and market their paintings when several art exhibitions could not be held due to the pandemic. Drawing from his own experience of frequently organizing exhibitions and selling his artworks at Amcorp Mall since 2010, Khalid took the initiative to collaborate with Amcorp Mall’s management to provide a special space for rent to local artists.
Where the journey began
Ground Floor, Amcorp Mall
Artists’ Corner began in early November 2019, located on the Ground Floor of Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya, and opens every weekend. It is joined by 10–15 local artists, and the response from visitors and art enthusiasts has been very encouraging. For visitors and art lovers, Artists’ Corner is a rare opportunity where they can meet, get to know, and buy artworks directly from the artists without involving any intermediaries.
At the time, the sales area could only accommodate 11 artists due to Covid-19 SOPs, so artist selection for participation in Artists’ Corner was given careful consideration. To ensure visitor satisfaction, Artists’ Corner features a variety of mediums and painting genres. The participating artists include both experienced painters and new talents. Among the experienced artists are Osman Akbar Long, Fauziah Yahya, Rashidtop, Azhar Arshad, Aisyah, M Radzuan, Roslan Itam, Wan Hairuddin, Kojek, and Khalid MS. Also joining are young and highly talented artists such as Sara and Rayyan (aged 9).
Highlights
Ground Floor, Amcorp Mall
The opening of Artists’ Corner at Amcorp Mall also gained coverage from various media outlets such as TV – Malaysia Hari Ini (TV3), Pesona XY (TV1), Berita Bulletin 9 (TV9), newspapers (Harian Metro and Kosmo), online platform Vision KL, and social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Artists’ Corner has also participated in external events, such as the launch of the book Budi Asas Tamadun & Pameran Jawi Jiwa Bangsa at Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) in April 2021, where artists’ works were exhibited and sold to visitors.
Here we are today
Level 1, The Curve Mall, Mutiara Damansara
Artists’ Corner later expanded its exhibitions and sales to The Curve Mall, Mutiara Damansara, after the creative industry was allowed by the government to operate again. As founder, Khalid, along with Alfian Abdul Rashid and Wan Hairuddin, began planning Artists’ Corner activities at The Curve Mall. Starting in October 2021, Artists’ Corner successfully organized a series of exhibitions and sales of local artists’ works, alongside merchandise sales such as bookmarks, printed artworks, fridge magnets, wooden sculptures, and small paintings.
Artists’ Corner is also a platform that provides opportunities to new artists, introducing promising young talents such as Dr. Jasma, Jonathan, Yusuf, Shafiq, Nisa, Izuan, and Candy (a differently-abled artist). Several veteran and experienced artists have also been invited to participate in the exhibitions and sales, including Harris Ribut, Osman Akbar Long, Anuar Dan, Alex Liong, Hazanan, Jejai, Yatie, and others. Artworks from established artists such as Zaharuddin Sarbini, Abey Zoul, Azmannor, Rusdi, Arie, Padil Osman, and others have also been showcased. In addition, Artists’ Corner features two experienced caricature artists, Narami and Jenggo.
In addition to exhibitions and art sales, Artists’ Corner conducts activities such as “Art Jamming” and painting classes for the public.