By Anne Das
What if time travel could happen through art?
That is the question explored in Exploration in Time, a new exhibition at 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery, presented by Papillon Artelier from 1 to 16 November 2025.
It’s an experience that blends the familiar with the futuristic, where clay, cameras and digital code come together in one conversation.
Unlike most shows that draw a line between old and new, this one breaks it. You’ll see photography by Chia Aik Beng, the renowned Singaporean Leica Ambassador known for his cinematic shots of everyday life, alongside abstract works by Em.y, Ipoh’s own rising mixed-media artist.
Completing the trio is a revival of the Ipoh Dragon Kiln, a living piece of our city’s history, re-fired and re-imagined through collaboration with potters from Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
“The exhibition is about continuity,” says Em.y, who also curates the show. “It is about how tradition lives on as a creative force, not just a historical reference point.”
Because it’s not every day that Ipoh plays host to an exhibition that connects heritage, art and artificial intelligence, the show invites visitors to slow down and see how time-honoured skills like pottery and photography are evolving with modern tools.
It’s a chance to witness how artists are re-interpreting memory, culture & technology and to be part of the growing creative pulse in our city.
Exploration in Time also gives Ipoh something valuable: Context. It reminds us that we are part of a wider artistic movement across Southeast Asia, where communities like ours are finding new ways to bridge heritage and innovation.
Who’s Behind It:-
Papillon Artelier is a home-grown art studio and creative space in Ipoh. Founded by Em.y, it runs exhibitions, residencies and community workshops that nurture artistic growth and mentorship.
Every project is guided by the belief that creativity should be inclusive, experimental and grounded in cultural awareness.
Exploration in Time marks the first phase of Papillon Artelier’s curatorial research into the relevance of traditional art-making in modern practice. It is a reminder that heritage does not sit in the past; it evolves when artists dare to question, adapt and imagine.
The Exploration of Time Exhibition Details :-
📍 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery, 22 Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
📅 1 – 16 November 2025
📩 Papillon Artelier: +6010-568 3165
📸 Instagram: @papillon_artelier 🌐 Website: www.papillonartelier.com
