Manik & Arit: A Wearable Art Workshop

Workshop description:

Join Alena Murang and Saerah R. Kunjan for a workshop where participants can transform old denim into one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces inspired by the textures, stories and spirit of Borneo.

Things to bring:

Bring along your own denim jacket, jeans, shirt or bag and explore creative ways to personalise them using curated materials, embellishments and upcycled elements.

What will be provided:

Painting materials, needle, threads, beads inspired by Borneo (cowrie shells, dalai, shell beads, glass beads) and stationaries.

About the instructors:

Alena Murang is a Malaysian artist whose work draws on her heritage as an indigenous Kelabit of Borneo in contemporary times - oftentimes exploring themes of cultural evolution and questioning the fine line of cultural preservation. Her practice reflects on land, memory and the intersections of past and present, contemporary and traditional, rural and Urban. Alena received her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Manchester, UK (2011) and a Foundation Certificate in Visual Arts from La Salle College of the Arts (2014). She has spent over three decades receiving oral traditions from her elders. Whilst better known as a musician, she has been part of numerous group art exhibitions, like MANAH (2017) at Petronas Art Gallery, and Roots (2018) at Shalini Ganendra Fine Art, both in Kuala Lumpur. In 2023 she had her debut solo exhibition “Colours of the Highlands” at HOAN Gallery, Kuching. Beyond her practice as an artist, Alena runs Kanid Studio, taking on projects that make heritage present. 

Saerah R. Kunjan is a neo-Indigenous style artist and ethical wear creator of Sabahan and Sarawakian heritage, now based in Kuala Lumpur. Drawing inspiration from Borneo's rich cultural heritage, her practice blends Indigenous traditions with a contemporary visual language rooted in identity, place, and storytelling. Working across fashion, styling, and design, Saerah reinterprets Indigenous aesthetics in ways that are both modern and meaningful. She has styled and designed looks for local artists, emerging talents, and household names across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. As a slow fashion advocate, she prioritises ethical creation and frequently collaborates with Indigenous artisans to craft one-of-a-kind pieces. Through her work, Saerah celebrates Borneo's diverse cultural legacy while exploring how ancestral knowledge can continue to inspire contemporary expression, ensuring these stories remain relevant for present and future generations.