CIMB Group Holdings Berhad returns with CIMB Artober Art & Soul, the Group’s annual celebration of art, culture, and lifestyle aimed at supporting and empowering the Malaysian art community while elevating Malaysia’s position as a world-class arts and culture hub.
The art fair is currently running from yesterday until tomorrow at Hall 1, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, and admission is free.
CIMB Artober spotlights Malaysia’s most creative and artistic minds, featuring a curation of over 1,000 captivating artworks by more than 100 artists, presented by 20 local galleries, including Taksu, Sareng, Segaris, Galeri Puteh, and more.
In addition, 30 seminal artworks from The AFK Collection are showcased alongside a robust collection of first-generation works by Malaysian contemporary artists, dedicated to the preservation and documentation of contemporary art in the country.
The collection also features the transformative artworks of Fauzan Omar, one of Malaysia’s most respected contemporary artists.
The launch of CIMB Artober was graced by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, along with Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad, Chairman of CIMB Group, and various senior leaders of CIMB Group. Royal Sembilan showcased a fashion show titled Bungolado, featuring a special songket collection woven by inmates from Penjara Marang through one of the prison’s rehabilitation programmes.
“CIMB Artober Art & Soul has proven to be an important economic engine for the Malaysian art ecosystem, generating over RM15 million to date and benefiting at least 200 artists since its inception. This art fair has gained a greater following, stronger traction, and a wider audience, and we hope that Artober will continue its legacy of contributing to the economic empowerment of local artists and designers.
“Embedded in CIMB’s 100-year history is a deep and profound appreciation for the arts, which underpins our commitment to strengthening the Malaysian arts and cultural ecosystem. CIMB believes in art as a conduit for cultural preservation and community building, and it is integral to uplifting the local economy for creatives. We are pleased to play our part in making art accessible to a much wider audience, thereby accelerating Kuala Lumpur’s budding reputation as an established arts capital in Southeast Asia,” said Mohd Nasir.
The weekend-long activities at the fair features an exciting series of fashion shows showcasing the latest art-to-wear collections by veteran designers such as Datuk Radzuan Radziwill and Ezuwan Ismail, as well as talented local fashion students from three prestigious design schools: Universiti Teknologi MARA (Perak), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, along with the works of 13-year-old LeiYa Lim.
As a platform for Malaysians to engage in conversations and discussions about art, CIMB Artober presents a series of thought-provoking art talks featuring prominent figures in the local art scene, moderated by public figure Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Tiffanee Marie Lim from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.
In honour of CIMB’s 100-year anniversary and its new social movement, Kita Bagi Jadi, which celebrates the Bank’s long history of advocating for economic inclusion among communities and supporting talent in various fields, CIMB Artober also showcase special performances by the talented young musicians of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).
As part of CIMB Artober, CIMB cardholders can enjoy a 10 per cent discount on a minimum spending of RM10,000 and a 15 per cent discount for spending above RM25,000 on a single receipt with any CIMB debit, credit, or prepaid card at participating galleries, subject to terms and conditions.
