When Art Breaks Out of The Canvas, A4 Art Fair Returns to GMBB this 6 November

In one corner, memories of a Malaysian kopitiam from the 1980s are brought to life through art. In another, a musician and multidisciplinary creator transforms part of the exhibition space into a recording room. Elsewhere, a Japanese contemporary artist takes centre stage with a solo exhibition, while an architect’s fascination with geometry finds expression in graffiti.

These are among the experiences awaiting visitors as A4 Art Fair returns to GMBB, Kuala Lumpur, from 6 to 8 November 2026. Now in its second edition, the fair brings together more than 50 artists and creative practitioners from Malaysia and across Asia, including established figures whose artistic practices span international exhibitions, music, fashion, street culture, contemporary design and pop culture.

Organised by A4 Art Gallery, A4 Art Fair 2026 carries forward The Art of Everything, celebrating the many forms art can take beyond conventional gallery settings. This year's edition, The Returning #2, adds a nostalgic dimension while exploring how creativity continues to evolve through contemporary art, design and everyday living.

From Kopitiam Memories to Music and Japanese Pop Culture

Growing up, Malaysian artist Lao Wang spent much of his childhood around his grandfather's coffee shop, memories that continue to influence his artistic imagination. Having established a creative career extending to Shanghai, Lao Wang returns to those roots at A4 Art Fair through an installation inspired by a Malaysian kopitiam of the 1980s, bringing a personal chapter of local cultural history into the contemporary art space.

Danny One, the Malaysian singer-songwriter, radio personality and creator of the original character Banana Man, will bring his passion for music and visual art together through a recording room at A4 Art Fair.

From Japan, COTOH will present a solo exhibition that takes visitors through his distinctive artistic world, from minimalist, cartoon-like illustrations to richly textured oil paintings and screen prints. Known for his collaborations across music and fashion, his works show how contemporary illustration and fine art come together, offering visitors a closer look at his expressive portraits and visual language.

Meanwhile, analogue photography studio Zontiga will present a Polaroid portrait space and CD listening corner, where visitors can explore the pleasures of instant photography and physical music recordings.

When Street Art, Characters and Collectible Culture Meet

An architect by profession and a member of the internationally active TMD graffiti crew, Malaysian artist Asmoe Roc has spent more than 15 years developing a style that combines bold lettering with geometric structures inspired by Brutalism and futurism. At A4 Art Fair, visitors can discover how his fascination with architectural forms takes shape through graffiti, turning familiar letters into intricate, almost sculptural compositions.

Visitors can also explore the playful imagination of Katun (Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman), the internationally recognised Malaysian contemporary artist whose mischievous ape character has become a signature of his graffiti-inspired works. Blending street culture, character design and contemporary art, his creations reveal how graffiti can move beyond urban walls into galleries and collectible art.

Indonesian contemporary artist Arkiv Vilmansa introduces visitors to a vibrant universe of bold colours and original characters through paintings, sculptures and collectible art. Trained in architecture, Vilmansa has built an international reputation for extending his creations across art, fashion and design, including collaborations with international furniture and streetwear brands.

For fans of character art and designer collectibles, the fair brings together a colourful cast of original characters, from Kenji Chai's beloved blue dog Chaigo and Uncle Belly's unconventional superhero Belly Man from China to creations by Janggutbear, JNJF × Drawdelow and more. Moving between illustration, sculpture and art toys, these creations invite visitors into worlds shaped by humour, imagination and personal storytelling.

Art That Lives Beyond The Gallery

Fashion finds its place beyond the runway at A4 Art Fair 2026.

Malaysian fashion designer Teresa Thian, founder of byThian, brings her creative vision to the fair through a specially curated installation that combines fashion, art and design. Known for her contemporary silhouettes and expressive prints, Teresa explores the possibilities of fashion beyond clothing through this specially curated installation.

For Alan Hung, a tailor and creative practitioner, traditional garment-making techniques provide the foundation for artistic experimentation. His practice moves from custom tailoring and wearable art into sculptural forms and soft-toy design, exploring how textiles and craftsmanship can take on unexpected identities.

From wearable art to objects for contemporary living, Tan Xin Lin transforms terrazzo, a material commonly found on floors and architectural surfaces, into artistic pieces rich in colour and texture. Meanwhile, Shikhei moves between fashion, fabric, painting and animation, experimenting with how different materials and mediums can shape visual expression.

Moving from materials to imagined realities, Art Lai's richly textured surreal paintings combine unexpected imagery and forms, blurring the boundaries between the familiar and the fantastical.

Bringing Creative Communities Across Asia Together

A slice of Bangkok's contemporary art scene awaits visitors as Mango Art Festival, known for its eclectic mix of art, design and unconventional creative expressions, joins A4 Art Fair 2026 with eight independent Thai artists. The showcase offers a glimpse into Thailand's contemporary creative scene, introducing fresh artistic perspectives and styles that add to the diversity of works visitors can discover at the fair.

The international line-up also features Japanese artist Takeuchi Hiro-Omi, whose abstract digital prints explore colour, light and emotion, and Thai artist Nopphadol Yingsuk, a.k.a. Aftertest Bangkok, whose colourful paintings and sculptures capture the imagination and wonder of childhood.

Spanning six experience categories, Art × Brand, Art × Living, Art × Sustainable, Art × Prints, Art × Artisan & New Media, and Art × Pop & Sculpture, A4 Art Fair 2026 offers something for every curiosity, whether in art, design, craftsmanship or contemporary culture.

“When we started the A4 Art Fair, we wanted to challenge the idea that art belongs only on gallery walls or in the hands of collectors. Art is already part of our lives, in the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, the objects we surround ourselves with and the memories we carry. Returning for a second edition, we are excited to see how more than 50 artists, each with their own creative language and experiences, interpret this idea in different ways. We hope visitors will come with curiosity, discover artists they may not have encountered before, and perhaps leave seeing art a little differently,” said Ng Si Juan, Founder of A4 Art Gallery.

Plan Your Visit:

DATE:

6 November 2026 – 8 November 2026

TIME:

11:00AM – 8:00PM

VENUE:

Level 5, GMBB, Kuala Lumpur

ADMISSION DETAILS:

One-day Adult Ticket: RM12

Three-day Pass: RM30

OKU Cardholders & Children accompanied by adults below 12: Free

Tickets can be purchased via CloudJoi: https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/7636-a4-art-fair-2026-the-returning-2

The A4 Art Fair 2026 is led by A4 Art Gallery, energised by GMBB as its community partner. For the latest updates, follow @a4artfair on instagram.