Petaling Jaya, 13 May 2026 — Berapa Sekilo? The Rhythm of the Wet Market presents a compelling body of photo-realistic watercolour paintings by Malaysian artist Ryzalman, inspired by the vibrant energy and familiar rhythms of the local pasar basah. Through remarkable precision and sensitivity, the artist captures the textures, atmosphere, and fleeting moments of everyday market life — glistening seafood laid over melting ice, plastic bags heavy with the day’s purchase, and the quiet exchanges shared between seller and customer.
A recurring visual element throughout the exhibition is the handwritten seafood price card. More than a simple market detail, it reflects the artist’s central idea: regardless of wealth or social status, everyone stands before the same price. Within the wet market, the question “berapa sekilo?” becomes more than a transaction; it becomes a shared human experience shaped by routine, labour, sustenance, and survival.
Backed by more than 15 years of dedicated practice, Ryzalman transforms often overlooked scenes into works of quiet beauty and emotional resonance. His distinctive visual language reveals details that many would otherwise pass by unnoticed, inviting viewers to slow down and reconsider the poetry hidden within ordinary spaces.
While wet markets are often associated with noise, moisture, and urgency, the artist instead presents them as places rich with memory, culture, and humanity. Through layers of light, reflection, and texture, these paintings celebrate a uniquely Malaysian rhythm of life that continues to exist amid rapid urban change.
“Through this exhibition, I hope viewers may come to appreciate the quiet poetry woven into the rhythms of daily Malaysian life,” shares the artist.
More than an exhibition about seafood or commerce, Berapa Sekilo? The Rhythm of the Wet Market is a reflection on the unnoticed beauty of everyday existence, and a tribute to the people, labour, and stories that continue to shape the soul of the local wet market.
Exhibition Details:
Berapa Sekilo? The Rhythm of the Wet Market
Date: 22 May – 4 June 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Venue: AweGallery @ 21, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya, 46300
Artist: Ryzalman
