Three Towns, One Journey: Tracing Stories Across Borders Through Art

For Mairul Malek, art begins with curiosity. As a Bumiputera artist from rural Sarawak, she has long been interested in how people, places and histories are connected. Through ILTIZAM Seni Cycle 3/2025, the residency gave her the space to extend that exploration beyond the studio and into communities, conversations and field experience.

A defining moment was the visit to Patani Artspace, Thailand, which was included in the programme. Mairul engaged directly with local artists and community. “I now realise that travel is a method of artistic inquiry and research, not merely an exposure. It is interesting to see the thinking behind ALIR – a body of work that connects Betong in Sarawak, Bentong in Pahang and Betong in Thailand through movement, geography and cultural exchange,” Mairul said.

The residency also showed her that artistic development is strengthened through dialogue. Working alongside artists with different methods and perspectives and receiving guidance through mentorship helped Mairul refine her thinking on materials, research, career pathways, and artistic decisions.

Since ILTIZAM Seni, Mairul has continued to build on this foundation. The presentation of ALIR enabled her to reinvest part of the proceeds into further research and production, supporting a more sustainable cycle of practice. She has also participated in the international group exhibition White Space: Unbroken Wisdom at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore and is developing a new body of work for a solo exhibition with SARENG Gallery in 2027.

Mairul’s story shows how ILTIZAM Seni supports more than the production of artworks. It nurtures research, mobility, experimentation and long-term artistic methodology, helping artists turn lived experience into meaningful practice.