Akin to his family’s jewellery brand Habib, Mirsham Meer has been actively championing Malaysia’s cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity through his latest venture, Harta––an acronym for ‘HABIB: Action for the Revival of Our Traditions and Arts’. Tucked above the Habib Ampang II showroom in Kuala Lumpur, the space encompasses a heritage jewellery museum, an art gallery, and a winsome cafe. The museum’s primary collection immerses visitors in the bejewelled traditions of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic Peranakan heritage. Featuring a collection of more than 800 carefully curated pieces that span 65 years, Harta transports visitors to a bygone era when the workmanship of Peranakan jewellery flourished.
The cafe, a charming addition to Harta, offers a space for relaxation, indulging in sweet treats, and fostering dialogues centred around Malaysia’s patrimony. Completing the Harta space is an art gallery dedicated to highlighting the creations of talented Malaysian artists and artisans. Its inaugural exhibition, Open House, curated by Aminah Ibrahim, marked the celebration of Harta’s opening. The presentation featured artworks from 16 established artists including Azzah Sultan, Bayu Utomo Radjikan, Chong Yan Chuah, Fawwaz Sukri, Gan Tee Sheng, James Seet, Nadirah Zakariya, Raimi Sani, Umi Baizurah, and Yuki Tham, as well as selected works from Harta’s own collection by artists Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Atiqah Khairul Anwar, Ismail Awi, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Lee Long Looi, and Yee I-Lann.
The space delved into a domestic sphere, portraying it as both a source of inspiration and an aspirational terrain, offering a closer look at the treasures found in everyday life. The artists have employed various experimental compositions such as oil painting, charcoal, ceramic, weaving, game technology, sculpture, videography, photography, and installation. Ibrahim provided insights on her curation process, stating, “I wanted to showcase artworks centred around a living space and to hopefully portray it as a cache of inspiration for the audience to intimately explore the mementoes within everyday life and gain a deeper appreciation for their surroundings. The curation process involved selecting pieces from Harta’s private collection and intently seeking out artists who could contribute new works. A mindful consideration was given to the materials found at home and how we engage with them, leading to a deliberate choice of mediums not commonly exhibited, such as ceramic, video games, weaving, and more. Ultimately, the overarching goal was to create an exhibition that offers a varied perspective on the multifaceted aspects of domestic life.”
Navigating this exhibition presented its own set of obstacles and rewarding moments. “Arranging the works in a manner that made logical sense and resonated with the audience posed a significant during this process,” Ibrahim says. “The breakthrough occurred when I opted to organise the artworks into distinct rooms, mirroring the layout of an actual house. This decision led to a transformative moment, prompting a title change from Matter(s) of the Heart to the more fitting Open House. Surprisingly, one of my most gratifying moments transpired before the exhibition itself. To embody the essence of Open House, I crafted an introduction video featuring a card game with tailored questions for the artists and a set of inventive rules. Throughout this playful interaction, I discovered the artists’ willingness to participate and the sincerity of their responses which offered a heart-warming glimpse into their personalities and creative processes.”
Adding a curatorial perspective, Ibrahim provided a lens through the intricate interplays between tradition, modernity, and the shifting nature of open houses. She believes the meaning of our domestic spaces has undergone a transformation in recent history. With the pandemic playing a role in accelerating this shift, our home now serves as a space for rest, isolation, protection, and a workspace. It has become a hub for intimate relationships and a platform for connecting to broader online social networks. Arguably, Ibrahim notes, we are spending more time at home than ever.
Addressing the adversity of making the exhibition appealing to both seasoned art enthusiasts and those less familiar with the art world, Ibrahim shares her thoughtful approach: “Frankly, I’ve been mulling over how to enhance the accessibility of art. I believe complete assurance is challenging, but selecting universally relatable themes, often overlooked, and peering into them further can be helpful. Using conversational language is crucial. The temptation to introduce a plethora of concepts was strong, but I resisted it, recognising that connection often arises from simplicity and authenticity. The mantra here is to keep it simple, stupid (KISS).”
Harta is located at Level 1, Lot 93-95 Lorong Memanda 2, 68000 Ampang Selangor. The space is currently open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
