CIMB Artober is back! Annual three-month art, culture and lifestyle initiative! 4th consecutive year!

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (CIMB) once again hosts CIMB Artober, an annual three-month art, culture and lifestyle initiative to add vigour and vitality to the local contemporary creative arts scene. 

Returning for the fourth consecutive year, the CIMB Artober showcases a series of lifestyle events, serving as a strategic platform that will elevate art practitioners’ presence and position Malaysia as a thriving centre for creativity. 

This year’s instalment will kick off with a three-day fair from 6 to 8 October 2023 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), bringing together artists, designers, galleries, customers and the public through an immersive art festival. 

It will feature artistic creativity from across Malaysia and the region as part of its objective to bring the best-in-class of established creators, as well as rising talents in the local arts scene, to the public. 

Furthermore, the initiative also aims to promote and elevate Malaysian arts and culture to more corporates and Malaysians. 

Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (middle) at the Pahang Pavilion as part of CIMB Artober 2023, displaying Her Majesty’s private collection of Kain Tenun Diraja Pahang. Pictured together at the launch were Mohd Nasir Ahmad (fourth from left); Datin Siti Rabeah Samsudin (fifth from left); Novan Amirudin, Co-CEO, Group Wholesale Banking, CIMB Group (first from left) and Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO, CIMB Islamic (second from left).

The launch ceremony was graced by the presence of Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Al Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, together with Datuk Mohd Nasir Ahmad, Chairman of CIMB Group and senior leaders of CIMB Group. 

CIMB Artober is showcased over two platforms – CIMB Artober Art & Soul, a regional art fair featuring renowned commercial galleries, while CIMB Artober Fashion Week will be showcasing exclusive fashion shows featuring collections by leading local and, for the first time, regional designers. 

Nasir said, “We are pleased to continue making a significant contribution to the local arts scene through CIMB Artober for the fourth year. 

"We see the importance in our role to be a leader in supporting the art and culture ecosystem, to energise the creative economy in Malaysia, which also aligns well with our purpose of advancing customers and society. 

"The initiative has grown from strength to strength, creating a vibrant marketplace and making it a highly sought-after art event in Malaysia. 

"We look forward to continue our efforts in fostering national pride in the arts, and positioning Malaysia as a major destination for the arts.” 

CIMB Artober Art & Soul 

CIMB Artober Art & Soul intends to spur the Malaysian art ecosystem by promoting its appreciation, intellectual engagements and interest amongst art and lifestyle enthusiasts, whilst expanding its reach, through building networks and stronger brand visibility for artists and galleries. 

A total of 18 commercial art galleries and three high craft promoters will be featured this year, including Artas, Centexs Commercial Sarawak, G13, Galeri Puteh, Drawing Room (PHI), La Galerie Du Monde, Rissim Contemporary, Sareng, Segaris Art Centre, Suma Orientalis, Taksu, Wei-Ling Gallery and Zhan Art Space. 

A key highlight of CIMB Artober Art & Soul is the Pahang Pavilion, where the private collection of Kain Tenun Diraja Pahang belonging to Tunku Azizah will be on display for the public to experience a close-up view. 

The fair is open to public from 6th October 2023 and admission is free. 

Visitors are also invited to attend art talks on 7th & 8th October 2023, featuring a collective group of artists named ‘Rumpun’ and noted young historian Khairul Anwar who will be discussing the importance of collaboration and the evolution of Malaysian decorative arts. 

CIMB Artober Fashion Week 

Ten Malaysian designers, together with two guest designers from Indonesia will be previewing their latest Art-to-Wear and Cruise collections. 

Among the leading names that will be at the CIMB Artober Fashion Week are Anuar Faizal, Athan Siahaan, Carro, Ezuwan Ismail, Radzuan Radziwill, Pink Jambu and a collaboration between Me2We and Dato’ Zainal Abidin. 

CIMB Artober 2023 is made possible through collaborations with Balai Seni Negara, MyCreative Ventures and Yayasan Hasanah, Kuala Lumpur Design Festival 2023, LimKokWing University of Creative Technology and MITEC as the strategic venue partner. - KitaReporters/Media Release