If you’ve wandered through the GMBB creative mall in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll know it’s a maze of studios, workshops and artist-run spaces where illustrators, toy designers, muralists and indie brands work side by side.
That creative energy returns as A4 Art Fair – a new artist-led event on KL’s pop culture calendar – takes over the building from Oct 30 to Nov 2, transforming it into a four-day art exhibition space, regional artistic meet and more.
Running daily from 11am to 7.30pm, the fair carries the theme “The Art of Everything”, exploring how creativity extends beyond galleries – into what we wear, use, live with, and scroll through.
It showcases collaborations between artists, designers, and communities, spanning new media art, sustainable design, pop culture sculptures, streetwear, and more.
“The ‘Art of Everything’ is about breaking walls – between art and design, the conventional and new, idea and experience, creator and audience. This fair is a testament to what happens when creators and communities work together to shape new ways of experiencing, creating and belonging,” says Ng Si Juan, curator of A4 Art Fair and the co-founder of A4 Art Gallery (located in GMBB).
Thai street artist Alex Face, known for his three-eyed child ‘Mardi,’ will be among the speakers at the A4 Art Fair conference. Photo: Alex Face
With a vast network of creative friends, Ng and the festival team put their connections to good use, assembling a line-up of over 90 artists, artisans, and designers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and Argentina.
As a debut festival, Ng wanted it to grow naturally out of the gallery’s work and vision, with many of the artists previously exhibited coming on board for this first edition.
“A4 Art Fair is the natural next step from what I started with A4 Art Gallery and KL Illustration Fair. We’ve always focused on illustration, pop art, digital art, and collectible culture – and now we’re bringing it all together in a larger event. Many of the artists we’ve worked with were eager to join this first fair; they’ve been part of our journey, so it feels right to have them here for the debut,” says Ng, who opened A4 Art Gallery last December.
The A4 Art Fair will be held at the A4 Art Gallery and an exhibition zone on Level 5, with a series of talks taking place at GMBB’s Grey Box on the ground floor.
“GMBB has always been about building a space where creative communities can thrive together. A4 Art Fair is a reflection of that purpose – a tenant-led initiative that pushes creative boundaries and introduces a refreshing format that energises the ecosystem,” says Lim Ying Hui, GMBB general manager.
Building new networks
This year’s fair – a ticketed event – unfolds across themed zones, each offering a different lens on how art connects with everyday life, from digital expression and design innovation to pop culture and creative entrepreneurship.
Those drawn to digital and experimental art can explore Art x Artisan & New Media, curated by digital art collective Filamen co-founder Abdul Shakir (aka Grasshopper), where motion designers, illustrators, and interactive artists present works through screens, tablets, and immersive projections – some even inviting visitors to take part in the creative process.
Featured artist Alexoid Luce will present her ‘The Shape Of Obedience’ exhibition on Level 5 of GMBB during the A4 Art Fair. Photo: Alexoid Luce
Art x Pop Sculpture offers a playful mix of toy artists, illustrators, and pop culture creators showcasing collectible figurines, hybrid sculptures, and character art. With names like Shafiq Nordin, Kenji Chai, and Michael Chuah on board, you’ve already got your headliners.
But there’s plenty more star power: Katun (Ab Hafiz Ab Rahman) brings his graffiti-inspired primates and global brand collaborations, while Thai street artist and cycling enthusiast Alex Face (Patcharapon Tangruen) returns to Malaysia with his signature three-eyed child “Mardi,” a symbol of streetwise innocence and social awareness.
The Art x Pop Sculpture and Art x Prints sections definitely look the part, anchored by artists with strong social media followings and the pull to draw in visitors. Highlights across the sections include Pablo Lentile (Argentina), known for his bold graphic compositions, while adding an Asean presence are IqbaImstrmnd (Indonesia) and Thailand’s Nhamm and Imp and Friends.
A4 Art Fair is also collaborating with Thailand’s Mango Art Festival, introducing eight Thai artists to the mix.
As one of the festival’s feature showcases, artist-sculptor Alexoid Luce (Alexdrina Chong) presents The Shape Of Obedience (on Level 5), a contemplative series of new sculptures and paintings that use pop art’s visual language to explore themes of mental health, restraint, vulnerability, and quiet rebellion.
Abdul Shakir (aka Grasshopper), the co-founder of digital art collective Filamen, will curate the Art x Artisan & New Media programme. Photo: Filamen
Meanwhile, Art x Brand, presented by CONT9CT (Singapore) presents collaborations between homegrown streetwear label Crossover, graffiti pioneer Stash (US) and pop artist Jahan Loh (Singapore).
Art x Living features over 20 design studios presenting furniture, and lifestyle objects in partnership with xOrdinary, while Art x Sustainable brings together 19 regional studios and makers to explore the balance between artistry and environmental responsibility.
Beyond visual showcases and installations, the A4 Art Conference runs throughout the fair with talks and panels led by artists, curators, brand collaborators, and cultural entrepreneurs.
It’s a busy schedule ahead, and Ng is optimistic that this niche in the art scene is growing – driven by a new generation of visitors who are curious, hungry, and eager to learn.
As the A4 Art Fair finds its audience, its independent-minded organisers will inevitably face the question of whether to bridge the gap or gently push the boundaries between pop culture design and the mainstream art world.
“A bit of both. We want to connect pop culture and contemporary art, showing they can share the same stage. At the same time, we’re pushing boundaries by encouraging new ideas and creativity. Our goal is to make art more open, fun, and welcoming for everyone,” says Ng.
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