We were invited for the opening of an art project called NO/BODY SHAMING at the Collect Art World Gallery in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 November 2024. The international contemporary art gallery is owned by a Polish national, Mrs Monika Lauridsen and has been established since 2023.
The gallery is charismatic and quaint, envisioned in a boutique style, with a warm, cosy, and welcoming atmosphere. It shares its location with the showroom of a prominent Malaysian fashion designer, Syomir Gupta, well known for his bespoke and haute couture fashion designs.
A project aiming at fostering a culture of self-love
The international art initiative aims to cultivate means of acceptance and self-love through the transformative power of visual arts. The term no/body shaming encompasses two interpretations: the rejection of body shaming and the concept of shaming no one. The primary goal of this art project is to eliminate the practice of self-hate and foster an environment of positivity, inclusivity and understanding.
The opening of NO/BODY SHAMING was officiated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Krzysztof Dobrowolski, and the owner of the Collect Art World Gallery & Art Curator, Monika Lauridsen. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests from the diplomatic corps, the art scene and professionals from the medical field, the fashion industry and life coaches. Some of them joined in the panel discussion during the event and it was highly interesting to hear their opinions about body awareness.
The art works
According to Mrs Lauridsen, the pieces on display in her gallery demonstrate the beauty and diversity of all body types, background, colour, race, and way of thinking. “We like to install a notion of embracing and appreciating the unique qualities that make us all beautifully different”, said Mrs Lauridsen.
The gallery currently features a collection of 31 selected artworks by contemporary and abstract artists from Poland, Malaysia, Macedonia, Cuba, and the Philippines. While the topic of the project may suggest otherwise, the exhibition does not focus on nudes, and Monika emphasized to the artists that the project doesn’t want to include anything too controversial. Their works needed to be respectful toward this country’s traditional cultural values, and it seems that the artists have been successful in this respect. The paintings at the gallery tell a story, rather than simply being an image that is created to shock the audience.
How schools are involved
After the grand opening of the project at Collect Art World gallery in Bangsar, the collection will be presented at other art galleries. Mrs Lauridsen: “We are planning to exhibit this project in esteemed art venues such as Temu House in Kuala Lumpur and Hin Bus Depot in Penang. We have been approaching secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur to invite them to introduce the principles of the project to their students. One school already has implemented it into their curriculum for Year 12 students, and we hope more schools will follow!”.
The project is about making students more aware of the harm caused by bullying and body shaming. Mrs Lauridsen: “We want to create a kind, supportive atmosphere among peers where everyone feels accepted. To help students deal with these challenges, experts will share helpful tips and coping skills. By involving teachers, parents, and the community, we aim to work together to reduce bullying and make school a positive place for everyone.”
Useful info
For more info, please have a look at the website of Collect Art World or visit their Instagram page here for information about the no/body shaming project.
If you would like to view the art works in the gallery, please contact Monika Lauridsen at +60 17 4100 448 (WhatsApp).
Follow the NO/BODY SHAMING campaign on Instagram to join the conversation and explore impactful works from artists worldwide. Share your own posts with the hashtag #CollectArtNoBodyShaming to help spread the message of acceptance and inspire others!
For art in the heart of city centre, we like Ur-Mu.
We were invited by Collect Art World Gallery. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
