Jejak Seni Bangsa (An Outreach Exhibition in Conjunction with the International Museum Day National Celebration 2026)

JEJAK SENI BANGSA

24 - 28 June 2026

Padang Akasia, Angsana Johor Bahru Mall

This exhibition highlights what and how did Universiti Malaya situated itself in the preservation of regional history and the founding of modern Nation State (Malaysia) through its museology-visual art activities. It is generally stereotyped, at least at the public ground, that art does not involve any serious intellectual judgment. This exhibition directly demystifies such understanding in looking at the contribution explicated through artwork production, the artist's mind and environment, as well as curatorial works done. In conjunction with this year National Museal Theme, "Museum towards the Development of Nation State", GSNS specifically curated the exhibition in showcasing UM's involvement through visual art in capturing this idea. 

The exhibited artworks were specifically selected to show how the national historical journey was derived from cultural discourses that normally are in contrast, by referring to artworks as historiographical sources. Subsequently, sprouting artworks that reflected transformative spirit and understanding in looking at the idea of 'nation'. 

The artists were not only identifying themselves more independently and unchained of their original birthplace or the colonial superiority, rather they were celebrating the new nation state called Malaysia, appreciating local geniuses and indirectly, their artworks recorded the shifting of a new citizenship's identity that moved towards embracing the modern conceptual nation of Malaysia. 

The exhibition was officiated by HE Dato' Aaron Ago Dagang, the Malaysia's Minister of National Unity on the 24th June 2026. This marks the gallery heightened involvement in preserving the art and culture of our nation.