Art has an incredible power to reflect the heartbeat of society, to inspire, and to unite people in a shared cultural experience. The RHB Art with Heart 2023 annual exhibition, presented by the RHB Banking Group, returned for the fifth consecutive year with a refreshing theme: ‘Sparks of Change’.
The 2023 instalment once again celebrated the creativity and diversity of Malaysia’s young and emerging artists, showcasing their talent, innovation, and passion for art.
A platform for emerging artists
The RHB Art with Heart exhibition has become a revered platform for budding artists to display their talents, and the past year was no exception. 2023’s edition included the most diverse lineup of Malaysia’s young and developing talents, renowned celebrities, and artists of various abilities. The exhibition aims to utilise art to demonstrate its dynamism and transformative ability to spark positive change in Malaysia.
Celebrating diversity
Over 300 local and foreign walk-in customers, the local artists’ fraternity, and RHB Banking Group clients attended the one-week event at the Concourse of Bangsar Shopping Centre to view over 150 stunning art pieces. Each piece offered a distinctive window into the artists’ interpretations of inclusivity, variety, and change—values that are very important to RHB.
The exhibition encompassed a variety of artistic forms, including paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy. The artists explore a myriad of topics, from social issues and personal experiences to environmental concerns and the evolving cultural landscape of Malaysia.
Meet the artists
The RHB Art with Heart exhibition 2023 featured a diverse lineup of talented artists, each contributing their unique perspectives on ‘Sparks of Change’. Here are just a few of the featured artists:
Syel Ramlan: Emerging local artist Syel Ramlan applied the intricate and stylised use of Arabic calligraphy to explore personal growth expressed through beautiful Arabic phrases and Quranic verses.
Faez Fahmi: Faez Fahmi used a unique combination of emotional connection to nature. His work has been featured in prestigious galleries such as the Segaris Art Centre and Artas Gallery.
Zulaiha Zulkapli: Zulaiha Zulkapli is a differently abled artist who lost her hearing at the age of five and created a colourful world that transcends the boundaries of sound and silence through her joyful paintings. Her art represents her childhood memories and depicts a tale of hope, inspiration, and transformation, a testament to her resilience in overcoming her past.
A huge success
The RHB Art with Heart show is also a vehicle for good. More than 100 local artists have benefited from the show throughout its four editions, which has brought in close to RM1 million in sales. Eighty per cent of the revenues go to the artists, with the remaining twenty per cent going to the RHB Foundation to support impoverished communities.
RHB Art with Heart 2023 sold a record of 82 paintings for more than RM360,000. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the RHB Foundation’s community outreach programs for the 2024 school year.
These programs include back-to-school activities for schoolchildren in the B40 segment who are recipients of the RHB X-Cel scholarship, as well as emergency humanitarian aid and festive boxes filled with groceries and essentials for impoverished communities.
The RHB Art with Heart exhibition stands as a testament to the enduring belief that art has the potential to shape the future and ignite positive transformation in our world.
