Malaysian art: Strong and still undervalued

DAVID Ciclitira, the English founder of the Global Eye art programme, is beaming.

"Do you know how much these works cost?" he asks a group of VIP guests, as they stand before two impressive semi-abstract paintings by emerging Malaysian artist Zelin Seah.

"They're still below US$3,000," he says as he watches jaws around him drop. He smiles broadly, happy with the effect he's produced, and walks away to greet another group of guests at the Prudential Malaysian Eye exhibition at MAP @ Publika, a gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

The Prudential Malaysian Eye - a collaboration between life insurance compa…