SARENG

The preview of ILTIZAM Seni Art Residency Exhibition, 'Alir' commences on Thursday, April 23rd.

In collaboration with SARENG, this four-month residency marks its third cycle, bringing together four selected artists—Aliff Danial, Ammar Idris, Khairanee Iro, and Mairul Malek.

Guided by the notion of Alir—a Malay word for flow or stream—the residency is conceived as a space of transition, inviting artists to pause, shift, and recalibrate their practices. The surrounding environment—both physical and social—serves as a generative condition for rethinking and reframing artistic approaches. This exhibition marks the culmination of the residency, presenting works developed during a period of incubation. Rather than offering fixed conclusions, the exhibition lingers in the in-between—where ideas emerge, recede, and reconfigure through process.

The 'Faith' series by Muhammadsuriyee Masu is currently featured in the 'Coming Home' exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Plus (MOCA+) in Kuantan, Pahang. An artwork from this series has also been added to the permanent collection of the Pahang Museum.

The exhibition officially opened on April 1, 2026, and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. The show will be open to the public until June 2026.

'Coming Home' showcases a collection of contemporary artworks by both local and international artists that highlight the exalted status and position of knowledge ('ilm) in Islam. Religion itself carries the meaning of something that is returned to repeatedly (ar-raj'), where a person's return requires knowledge and clarity (bayan). This is because a human being's return to God necessitates understanding the nature of man and knowing the Creator (ma'rifatullah), which draws a person closer to God, something that can only be attained through knowledge.

MOCA+ is an extension of the existing Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and is located within the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Royal Museum Complex in Kuantan, Pahang. The museum was officially launched by the Pahang State Museum Corporation in May 2025. It reflects the development and commitment of the Pahang Museum to showcase contemporary artworks by local and international artists and the cultural heritage. This initiative is part of a royal effort to promote art and culture in the region.

The preview of 'Faith' – a solo exhibition by Muhammadsuriyee Masu commences on Saturday, February 7th.

With Ramadan approaching, the 'Faith' series explores the role of religion as a source of comfort, meaning, and support in people's lives. It highlights how faith can provide solace during challenging times and serve as a guiding compass, helping individuals navigate their thoughts and emotions with clarity and purpose.

This exhibition features a series of mixed media paintings by Muhammadsuriyee, where the architectural form of a mosque serves as the conceptual basis for his work. Through repeated geometric shapes, his pieces create a sense of rhythm and unity in composition, mirroring the consistent and systematic practice of religious rites. This creative process aims to reflect a way of life rooted in faith, representing not only a religious expression but also a system of meaning that promotes inner peace and establishes balance in life, even amid uncertainty and challenges.

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Muhammadsuriyee Masu.
Faith XI.
Mixed media (calcium carbonate clay, wood, latex glue, acrylic paint) on canvas.
200cm x 150cm.
2013.