WITH ink, paper and creativity, words can be transformed into works of art that tell stories of identity, culture and the nation.
That spirit is at the heart of Merdeka in Motion 2026, a calligraphy exhibition featuring 35 original works by 24 Malaysia-based calligraphers and lettering artists.
Held from Aug 10 to 18 at CzipLee, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur, the exhibition was founded by calligraphy practitioner Syuhada Jaafar in collaboration with The Write Place Asia, a community and platform for calligraphy enthusiasts and practitioners.
The inaugural exhibition, jointly organised by CzipLee and Byhandarts, carries the theme "Our Hands. Our Heritage. Our Future".
The works spanned traditional and contemporary calligraphy, lettering, mixed media and experimental approaches, with each artist given the freedom to interpret the meaning of independence through their own experiences and perspectives.
Some works explore freedom and heritage, while others delve into identity, culture and personal experiences.
The diversity of approaches makes the exhibition more than a collection of visually striking lettering. It also offers a glimpse into how calligraphy continues to evolve with changing times.
According to Byhandarts founder Syuhada Jaafar, the idea for the exhibition emerged after she took part in an international calligraphy mentorship and exhibition programme in 2024.
"I realised that we have so many talented calligraphers in Malaysia, but there aren't many spaces for them to come together and create as artists.
"I want Merdeka in Motion to become a space to introduce calligraphy as something beyond beautiful writing or personalisation," she said.
Merdeka in Motion was developed together with Yie Ruo and Jota from The Write Place Asia, with the aim of reconnecting Malaysia's local calligraphy community and creating opportunities for artists to experiment with the medium.
The word "motion" refers to the constantly changing nature of calligraphy, heritage and identity as they evolve over time.
The exhibition was held in August to coincide with National Month and World Calligraphy Day on Aug 12.
On that day, members of the local art and calligraphy community gathered at CzipLee to celebrate the exhibition and the craft.
Among those who shared their experiences was Inez of Inez Calligraphy, one of the pioneers of Malaysia's local calligraphy community.
She recalled how Malaysian calligraphers initially connected through social media to share knowledge and develop their craft together under the principle of "community over competition".
Beyond the exhibition, CzipLee also organised calligraphy workshops and activities over the weekend, allowing visitors to experience the art form themselves.
Following its run at Bangsar Village II, Merdeka in Motion 2026 moved to the Merdeka CzipLee pop-up at Bangsar Village I, where it will remain on display until tomorrow. - August 30, 2026
