On the weekend I was in Kuala Lumpur and I came across the Annexe Gallery in the Central Market, where there was an exhibition called '17 Stories'. The exhibition was a group show 17 stories told by 17 graduates from a Photography Diploma Course in Malaysia. Each student had presented a series of images and also printed a hard cover book with a larger selection of photographs. Sticky notes and pens were available at the reception to make notes and leave feedback for the artists, by simply writing thoughts and sticking the notes on the walls next to the artwork. There were some powerful images in the gallery. Khairil Safwan's series of work entitled 'Faith and Honor' explored the strength, faith and honor of Muslim women in Malaysian Society. Wan Iqbal, 22 years old, presented a series of work called 'Mencari Sinar', which documented the survival stories of the refugees of Rohingya. Zairyeirsyam's work called 'Variasi Warisan Silat' showed a descriptive series of images of the Malay art of self defense.
To see the all of the photographs online, the TIGA Photography Exhibition 2013 Program Book has a profile on each of the artists and their work.
© Anna Fawcus 2013
Photographer Khairil Safwan's stands in front of his series of work entitled 'Faith and Honor'