The Dia Space marked a milestone for Malaysian contemporary art with a private viewing of Mulaika Nordin’s latest series, Mulaika Selected Works, on January 18. The event took place in the gallery’s newly restored heritage building, drawing collectors, designers, and creative professionals to see a decade of Mulaika’s evolving practice.
The exhibition explores identity, memory, climate, and place, with works displayed in an immersive setting that blends contemporary art with cultural heritage.
Guests experienced the artist’s latest approach to abstraction, loosely inspired by Malaysian monsoon landscapes and her late-2025 trip to Kuala Terengganu and Cherating. Dia co-founder Aisha Hassan welcomed attendees and outlined the gallery’s vision.
Launched in 2020, Dia has showcased Southeast Asian designers in London, Langkawi, and Kuala Lumpur. “The Dia Space is a living, shifting home for creators like Mulaika and brands like Snuglier to present their work on their own terms,” Hassan said.
Mulaika, 22, reflected on her artistic journey, from starting painting at 12 to embracing her identity as a Malaysian and Southeast Asian artist.
“This series marks a move from pure abstraction to something that reflects our landscapes and experiences,” she said. The heritage setting was a long-held dream, she added, making the exhibition a personal milestone.
Known for introspective abstract works that explore impermanence and human experience, Mulaika mixes mediums and draws inspiration from unexpected sources. She recently graduated with an LL.B in Law from Queen’s University Belfast, where her focus on environmental and human rights law is increasingly influencing her art.
Her previous solo exhibitions include A Thousand Days of Change (2019), I Know You’re Somewhere So Far (2021), and I Remember You (2025).
Mulaika Selected Works runs until early March at Dia Space, Level 1, 4 Medan Pasar, City Centre. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm, with private tours available by appointment.
