When your day calls for a spruce of artistic inspirations, you know a visit to the art gallery is a must. With a progressive art scene brewing, there are plenty of art galleries to explore your creative horizons in Malaysia. Whether you decide to swing by Petronas Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur or Hin Bus Depot Art Centre in Penang, this guide will help you discover your new favourite paintings.

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1. ILHAM

Spearheading their support for Malaysian modern and contemporary art, ILHAM is an open-to-all art gallery that shares art with the masses. With their calendars filled with art exhibitions and programmes, ILHAM once hosted the Era Mahathir and Love Me in My Batik exhibitions. There are also tons of programmes you can participate ranging from creative workshops to film screenings.

Location: Level 3 & 5, Ilham Tower, No. 8, Jalan Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. 

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2. Petronas Art Gallery

If you have additional hours to spare at KLCC, appreciate the array of visual art at Petronas Art Gallery. Art lovers will find an interesting collection of artworks, sculptures, and art pieces by homegrown and international artists. In the past, ‘Yves Saint Laurent: Birth of a Legend’ and ‘Young Malaysian Artists exhibitions’ were showcased here.

Location: Level 3, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. 

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3. ChinaHouse

While ChinaHouse largely leans towards food and music, this Penang-based space has a liking for the arts as well, so much so that they sell products such as diamond painting kits and premium pastel colors to foster the artistic aspirations within the growing legends. Kitted out with white walls and wooden floors, walk up to their Art Space I & II where you will discover a medley of paintings, photography, and exhibitions that can pique anyone’s interest.

Location: 153, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang.

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4. Hin Bus Depot Art Centre

There’s more to Penang than just their popular street art. Hin Bus Depot Art Centre is where the locals go for a dose of artistic inspirations. Once an abandoned bus depot in Georgetown, Hin Bus Depot gives it a new lease of life by turning it into an art gallery. Today, Hin Bus Depot serves as a creative space for unique solo art exhibitions, photography exhibits, and the art market.

Location: 31, Jalan C.Y. Choy, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang. 

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5. National Visual Art Gallery

Artist Mahadir Masri’s striking mural will be the first to greet you when you follow the walkway to the National Visual Art Gallery entrance. With the art gallery’s permanent collection dominating most floors, you can catch interesting pieces from Chinese ink painting to intriguing sculptures.

Location: Off Jalan Tun Razak & Jalan Temerloh, Tijani 2 North, 53200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. 

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