Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A DETOUR
RUANG PEMULA (RUPÉ)
Below the offices of lawyer Pakhruddin Sulaiman, in a shophouse block in Ampang, lies the captivating private
gallery
Ruang Pemula
(RuPé;
4279 7720;
www.rupe.com.my
;
Block 1, Pusat Perdagangan Taman Dagang,
Jln Dagang Besar, Ampang; by appointment) . Pakhruddin and his wife Fatimah have been amassing
one of Malaysia's top private art collections since around 1996 when they bought two major works,
Brothers
and
Does History Change?
, in the first solo exhibition of Bayu Utmo Radjikin. These works by the now-prominent
contemporary Malaysian artist are among hundreds displayed and stored in the gallery nicknamed RuPé and mean-
ing 'beginner's space'.
Other established and up-and-coming artists with works here include many from the art collective Matahati,
Fuad Osman, Shukri Mohammed, Amron Omar and Fadilah Karim. Forged metal sculptures by Raja Shahrima, a
cross between ancient Malay warriors and manga robots, are dotted among the gallery spaces, which are arranged
to resemble living rooms with designer chairs and Pakhruddin's extensive art and design library.
For anyone interested in Malaysian art, this, along with the private collection at Sekeping Tenggiri (
Click here
),
is an absolute must-see. Call to arrange a time to visit and to get directions from the nearest LRT station which is
Ampang.
