Sunday Vibes

Reimagining art

IN the heart of Subang Jaya, in the classy confines of Dorsett Grand Subang hotel, something very different has unfolded during the Artober 2024 weekend — Pieces of Me, the debut solo exhibition by MahsuriShark (real name Mahsuri Sharkawi).

Amid the bustle of larger, corporate-backed exhibitions, MahsuriShark's art showcase stands as a quiet but powerful rebellion, a celebration of personal transformation that seems to defy the boundaries of tradition and instead, is embracing the future of creativity.

Unlike any other exhibition, Pieces of Me is a striking fusion of art, fashion, and technology, offering a compelling window into the mind of an artist who has reinvented herself — not just as a creator, but also as a boundary-pushing innovator.

Through her work, she's sharing her most intimate experiences, transforming them into a visual and interactive narrative that invites viewers to connect with her on a deeply personal level. The exhibition isn't just about the art on the walls; it's also about the story behind the art and the journey that led artist MahsuriShark to create it.

A LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN

MahsuriShark's path to becoming one of the country's most exciting new artists is a story of reinvention, passion and the courage to follow one's true calling. For 28 years, she worked in the corporate world, building a successful career in telecommunications.

Yet, despite her achievements, there was always an undeniable pull toward something more. With roots in traditional art, she began her journey in 2021, using painting as a means of emotional expression during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, she made the bold decision to leave her corporate career behind and dive headfirst into the world of art. Influenced by masters like Monet and Van Gogh, her works evoke powerful emotions through abstract landscapes, skies and cosmic themes.

In August, MahsuriShark made waves by creating the country's first augmented reality (AR) painting on a 5G mobile network. Titled Deep Within: Finding The Light, the piece sold for RM40,000 during the Miri Arts Festival, marking a historic fusion of traditional art and cutting-edge technology.

Following this success, she produced three more AR paintings, featured at the Warna International Women Exhibition 2024 at Harta Space, Kuala Lumpur, which was officiated by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.

MahsuriShark Gallery in Sungai Buloh, opened in May, operates by appointment only, showcasing a curated selection of her work. Beyond her studio gallery, MahsuriShark Gallery has partnered with Pullman Miri Waterfront, Sarawak, to create Le Cafe, a gallery cafe in the hotel lobby, where her artworks, together with 19 other local and international ones, are displayed and sold via QR code. Additionally, sculptures and ceramics are also exhibited in the Executive Lounge on Level 24 of the Pullman Miri Waterfront hotel.

Her debut exhibition, Pieces of Me, isn't just a collection of abstract landscapes and flowing colours — it's a window into MahsuriShark's own metamorphosis. Each painting, each brushstroke, speaks to the personal transformation she underwent as she shifted from the regimented world of corporate life to the freeform creativity of an artist. The colours and shapes on her canvases are more than just aesthetic choices; they're emotional landscapes.

FROM ABSTRACTS TO AUGMENTED REALITY

At the heart of Pieces of Me are three captivating collections: Abstracts, Abstract Landscapes and Nature. These works were created using MahsuriShark's signature pouring technique, a method that allows paint to flow freely, capturing the raw emotion and unpredictability of her creative process.

What makes Pieces of Me truly groundbreaking isn't just the art itself, but also how MahsuriShark merged her passion for painting with cutting-edge technology. As the first artist in the country to incorporate Augmented Reality (AR) on a 5G network, MahsuriShark took her art to new heights, offering an immersive experience that pushes the limits of what traditional art exhibitions can achieve.

Seven of her paintings feature interactive digital layers, revealing animations, hidden narratives, and subtle shifts in form when viewed through AR. This integration of "Mixed Reality" allows visitors to engage with the work on a deeper level, making each piece feel alive, dynamic, and ever-changing.

"The goal was to create a conversation between the physical and the digital," MahsuriShark explains, adding: "Art should be more than just something you look at. It should be something you experience."

But her technological innovations didn't stop there. In partnership with her gallery collaborators, Anaz Khalid and Zuraida Mohamad, MahsuriShark introduced a virtual viewing experience that allowed art collectors to preview her works in their own homes using AR technology.

It's a bold move toward making art more accessible to collectors around the world, allowing them to experience and acquire art in a way that feels personal, intuitive, and futuristic.

COLLABORATIVE VISION

As if the technological innovations weren't enough, MahsuriShark also brought art into the realm of fashion through a collaboration with House of Hasto, an Indonesian fashion label known for its avant-garde approach to design.

Together, they created three exclusive fashion collections inspired by MahsuriShark's paintings — turning her abstract landscapes into wearable stories. The collections were an exciting exploration of how art can transcend the canvas, transforming into a form that can be experienced, touched and worn.

This collaboration was more than just a blending of two creative worlds; it was also a cross-cultural dialogue between Malaysia and Indonesia, bringing together two distinct yet complementary artistic traditions.

The result was a collection that felt both deeply personal and universally relevant — an embodiment of MahsuriShark's vision of art as something that can be integrated into every aspect of life, from the gallery to the streets.

INNOVATING THE FUTURE

Pieces of Me isn't just an exhibition; it's also a bold statement that art, in its many forms, is meant to evolve, to break free from traditional boundaries, and to reflect the changing world around us.

Through Pieces of Me, MahsuriShark invites us to see the world not just as it is, but also as it could be — where technology and art intersect, where fashion becomes an extension of self-expression, and where the boundaries of creativity are limited only by our imagination.

For details, check out Instagram: MahsuriShark Gallery.

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