Iqra’: to read, to recite. But also, to seek knowledge, to listen, and to reflect.

In this exhibition, Amir Mansor responds to his inner calling through an exploration of language, knowledge, and coexistence. It is a gentle pilgrimage of learning that extends beyond the walls of an institution.

Born and raised in Penang’s Malay-Muslim community, Amir’s world once felt familiar, but motionless. It was only later, as a young adult, through friendships and a “gentle chorus” of mixed languages, that he began to see how much he didn’t know. And how much he wanted to.

In the solitude of his studio, Amir began reading scripts he couldn’t speak, such as Tamil and Chinese. Not to master them, but to sense their rhythm. His canvas became a place of seeking and reflecting. Language becomes more than a tool for communication. It becomes a bridge, a mirror, and perhaps, most of the time, a question. It isn’t just about scripts. It’s about navigating the unfamiliar with care and consideration.

Titled Jalin (to weave), Muafakat (unity through cooperation), Rumpun (a collection of related ideas, elements, or values), and Makmur (prosperous), these works offer more than what we see, and they invite us to look inward. What does it mean to learn across differences? What kind of knowing allows us to move closer not just to one another, but to a deeper sense of self?

Iqra’ is a reminder that knowledge is never neutral. It shapes how we see, how we speak, and how we connect.