December 3, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – The inaugural artwork series from Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery’s (BNM MAG) newly launched art residency, Residensi Kijang (RisiK), are now on display.
The RisiK Unveiling exhibition, on view at SukaReka Art Gallery in BNM MAG (level 3) in Kuala Lumpur until Dec 14, showcases eight works by emerging artists Muhammad Amir Mansor and Noor Zahran Khizan, selected from a pool of over 35 applicants.
The RisiK programme, designed for artists aged 40 and under with at least five years of professional experience and an active presence in the arts industry, was launched as a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.
Running from January to April this year, the residency provided two shortlisted artists with mentorship from renowned figures Ahmad Fuad Osman and Ramlan Abdullah.
During the residency, Amir and Zahran were mentored by renowned artists Ahmad Fuad (second, right) and Ramlan (left). PHOTO: BNM MAG/THE STAR
“RisiK offers young artists the opportunity to develop their creative potential, engage with BNM MAG’s collections, and receive the support, mentorship and exposure needed to refine and advance their artistic journeys,” says Noreen Zulkepli, BNM MAG director.
BNM MAG curator Siti Melorinda (Melor) Khuzaina Sakdudin noted that Amir and Zahran were selected for the residency on the strength of their compelling portfolios, which reflected both technical skill and a distinct artistic vision, marking them as promising voices in Malaysia’s contemporary art scene.
“Both of them have their own distinct styles that stood out to us. Amir is known for his bold abstract works, while Zahran has a knack for blending traditional and digital techniques. In their submissions, they were able to convey their skill and determination, which is what we are looking for in resident artists,” says Melor.
During their residency, Amir and Zahran had the opportunity to experience four BNM MAG exhibitions – Jiwa Membumi (The Soul Of The Land), Masih Ada Waktu (Never Too Late), Rona Dan Kata (Palette And Pen) and Keunggulan Numismatik (Numismatic Marvels) – allowing them to witness the various styles, techniques and genres within the art world, and even meet some of the artists behind the works.
Their works in RisiK Unveiling are their reflections and response to BNM MAG’s collections and exhibitions, weaving in their personal life experiences.
Playful and meaningful
Selangor-based Zahran, 29, is a self-taught visual artist known for his hyper-realistic ink drawings. His practice spans drawing, photography and 3D compositing.
A creative digital media graduate from Mara Professional College (KPM), he did not receive formal training in fine arts; instead, he discovered the field by chance during an internship at TitikMerah Collective in Kuala Lumpur, founded by visual artists Ajim Juxta, Adeputra Masri, and Latif Maulan.
In 2023, his piece Not For Sale was highly commended in the Emerging Artist Category for UOB Painting Of The Year Malaysia.
Zahran uses photography and 3D modelling to create the references for his artwork. PHOTO: BNM MAG/THE STAR
For the RisiK exhibition, Zahran created works using coloured pencils – an entirely new medium for him.
“It took some time to adjust, since I’m used to working with pens, but I was captivated by the smooth tones and blending that coloured pencils offered, even if the process was slower,” says Zahran in a recent interview.
His works are rendered entirely in black and white, punctuated by a striking pop of teal in each piece.
Zahran explains that he chose teal for the residency to symbolise modern identity, pop culture, and the digital landscape, while also serving as a visual cue to guide viewers toward key elements in the compositions.
Zahran’s ‘Savings In Bloom’ (coloured pencil on paper, 2025). PHOTO: BNM MAG/THE STAR
He shares that he was inspired by the exhibition Masih Ada Waktu (Never Too Late), in particular.
“The exhibition focused on the world of savings and prudent financial management, which I found interesting and relatable. So I decided to centre my works around the theme of financial literacy,” he says.
Using familiar childhood objects, such as toy cars, Zahran created a contrast between the innocence of play and the seriousness of financial responsibility. For example, in Savings In Bloom, Zahran depicts a duck-shaped money bank that has been cracked open, with coins in the shape of flowers spilling out.
“This piece talks about the importance of investment. As we all know, the value of money fluctuates, so if you keep your money and don’t use it for a long time, the value will decrease from time to time due to several factors, such as inflation. But if you invest your money wisely, its value can grow and you can get higher returns,” he says.
Patterns and repetitions
Penang-born Amir, 32, is a full-time artist who focuses on abstract paintings and beyond. His solo exhibitions include Hijrah (2023) and Iqra (2025) at Sareng Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
A fine art graduate from UiTM, Amir’s practice is rooted in repetition and quiet introspection. He works primarily with acrylic and ink, utilising his brush like a pen.
Amir likes to explore colours in his works, mixing neon tones with softer hues and deeper backgrounds. PHOTO: BNM MAG/THE STAR
For RisiK, Amir turned his attention to the theme of small businesses, particularly the daily operations of hawkers, which comes from his personal experience in helping his family sell nasi lemak and traditional cakes.
“My core idea was to expand my earlier Kira-Kira series, developing calculation formulas into visual patterns for my paintings. I worked with repetition, or zikr, using it to add a spiritual layer to the work,” says Amir.
“From there, I kept exploring colour – mixing neon tones with softer hues and deeper backgrounds. That combination of pattern, colour and mindfulness really became the foundation of my residency work.
For Amir, being mentored by Ahmad Fuad was an insightful experience.
“He’s such a respected figure in Malaysian contemporary art, and I learned a lot from our conversations. We talked about developing the conceptual side of my work and how to strengthen the ideas behind it.
“He was very open in sharing his experiences, especially from his international residencies, and his practical advice really helped me refine my direction. It felt like learning from someone who’s walked the path before me,” says Amir.
Amir’s ‘Angka’ (acrylic, ink, and aerosol on canvas, 2025). PHOTO: BNM MAG/THE STAR
In two of his pieces, Rantau and Angka, he combined the structure of writing with the symbolism of numbers – the former is a metaphor for the shared languages, motifs and values that transcend borders, while the latter traces the shared histories and memories that connect us through numbers.
“In Angka, I wanted to highlight how numbers are a universal language, so I chose specific numbers between one to nine and wrote them in Jawi, Mandarin, Tamil, Vietnamese, Thai and more to highlight the diversity that can be found within our region,” he says.
Amir adds that taking part in RisiK has given him the space to grow and experiment.
“This is my first residency, so going forward, I’d love to join more international residencies – to experience different cultures, meet other artists, and gain new perspectives. I also want to stay connected to society through my art – creating work that inspires and resonates with people,” he concludes.