Ipoh Gets a Splash of New York with Artist David Speed
By Anne Das
Ipoh’s art scene is welcoming something fresh and unexpected. David Speed, an American artist with over 50 years of experience, has brought his lifetime of work to town in a solo exhibition titled The Art of Style.
Now showing at 22 Hale Street, his works span from oil, acrylic, pastel, and Chinese ink on rice paper. Each piece reflects a journey that began in New York and now continues in Malaysia, where David has chosen to live and create. His paintings reflect a long personal journey, shaped by time, travel, and a lifelong relationship with art.
David’s roots go back to Buffalo, New York, where creativity ran in the family. “My family was always into the arts,” he shares. “One was a writer, the other a painter.” He remembers the vibrancy of the New York art scene clearly. “There were so many different styles. They clashed, but everyone was passionate.”
His work first arrived in Ipoh nearly two decades ago. In 2004, David was invited to paint a mural inside the Perak Cave Temple, a rare honour for a foreign artist. His signature still sits beneath the meditative figure he painted, a quiet marker of his long-standing connection to the city.
Now living in Ipoh with his wife Sue, a local ceramic artist, David says the city has brought him both calm and creative energy. “I’ve always wanted to live here,” he says. “Ipoh is beautiful. The people, the landscape, the weather, and most of all, the food.” He’s particularly fond of the local curry mee and kopi.
That sense of place comes through in this exhibition. While some works carry the vibrant energy of New York, others lean into quieter themes. His ink on rice paper pieces reflect a meditative state, while his figurative acrylics explore motion and feeling through minimal form. “The theme is variations within a style,” he explains. “Right now, I’m working with acrylics.”
If you only have time for a quick visit, David recommends looking out for two of his personal picks. God View and The Life both invite viewers to pause, reflect, and explore how style can shift meaning.
Even after five decades, art still excites him. “It engages all my senses,” he says. To emerging artists in Ipoh, his advice is simple. “See as much art as possible. Go out and look for it in galleries, shows, or museums.”
You don’t have to know art to enjoy this show. Just come with curiosity! Bring a friend, explore the gallery, and meet the artist himself.
David is often on-site with his delightful wife Sue, and both are happy to chat. If you’re an aspiring artist, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and get inspired.
Visit ‘The Art of Style’ by David Speed
🗓️ Exhibition Dates: 17 May to 1 June 2025
📍 Venue: First Floor, 22 Hale Street, Ipoh
🕙 Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free
Bring a friend, explore the gallery, and meet the artist himself. David is often on-site with his delightful wife Sue, and both are happy to chat. If you’re an aspiring artist, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and get inspired.
