If you love cats (who doesn’t?), then this latest installation Paw-verbs on the Lawn at the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) is a must-visit.
From now till May 30, the feline creatures are brought to life in a collaboration between MHC and Japanese artist Juno (@mofu_sand).
Known for her vivid cat illustrations that depict her love for the animal, the Instagram-famous Juno has more than 20,000 followers on the platform.
It marks the first time that Juno’s cat illustrations are on display in Southeast Asia, and features 30 of her cat illustrations as standees on the lawn of MHC.
They are interspersed with a collection of 10 common Malay proverbs that spotlight how the cat is used metaphorically to convey different aspects of human behaviour, as well as to impart age-old lessons handed down from generation to generation.
In these proverbs, the cat is portrayed in many ways—shy, elusive, intimidating, authoritative, restless, quick and even quarrelsome.
For the Malay community in particular, the cat or kucing is a well-loved animal that is often referenced in its proverbs, whether to signal the arrival of an authoritative person (Serta lalu kucing, tikus tidak berdecit/ When the cat is around, the mouse will not squeak) or to describe someone who is pretending to be shy (Malu-malu kucing/ Like a shy cat).
In addition, members of the public can take part in related programmes and activities, including a performative storytelling session titled The Lure of the Feline by theatre actor, director and playwright Gene Sha Rudyn. It will explore the relationship Nusantara Malays have had with felines across the ages.
Visitors can also prowl MHC’s grounds and galleries to “Find the Paw-Verb!” which will be released weekly on MHC’s Instagram page (@malayheritage) from Mar 16. Each post will reveal a silhouette cat sticker for that week. Find and take a selfie of the specific cat sticker for a chance to win exclusive mofu_sand cat illustration button badges.
Paw-verbs on the Lawn at the Malay Heritage Centre is on from now till May 30. More information available here.
