The National Art Gallery of Malaysia is one fine example of an exhibition center that displays the finest collections of contemporary Malaysian art. Also known as the Balai Seni Lukis Negara in Malay, the National Art Gallery was established on August 28th, 1958 by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Established about 1 year after the country independence day in 1957, the National Art Gallery of Malaysia is definitely a historic building that has witnessed the growth and development of Malaysia.

National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur

Aside from collecting the country finest contemporary art piece, the National Art Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions of Asian and international art. From time to time, the temporary exhibit area showcases some of Asia most exotic art pieces as well as modern Asian art including photography, sculpture and installation art. Generally the temporary exhibitions will be held in the first floor of the building while the permanent collections of art are being showcased on the second floor. Some of the highlights of the exhibitions are the unique arrangement of painting into themes such as Spirituality and Work.

Other highlights in the permanent exhibition area are the Patrick Ng Kah Onn’s Spirit of the Earth, Sky and Water, Samjis Mat Jan’s portrait of a boy in Rendezvous; Ismail Mat Hussein’s batik canvases depicting traditional village life and Ooi Kooi Hin’s It’s So Quiet, in which a woman screams in a room filled with corpses.

Situated next to the National Art Gallery is the striking National Theatre or Istana Budaya in Malay, designed in the shape of a wau bulan or Malay Kite. The National Theatre hosts several interesting cultural shows as well as national and international theater, and also features a traditional Malay theater costume gallery.

National Theater in Kuala Lumpur

The gallery is situated along Jalan Tun Razak, on the northern edge of central Kuala Lumpur.

Driving Direction and Map to National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur:

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