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85, LORONG SOO HONG, 10200 GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, MALAYSIA

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CURRENT SHOW
๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’”
A solo exhibition by Hasanul Isyraf Idris
5 Sep โ€“ 8 Nov 2026

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES:
Please reach out to us viaย Whatsappย orย email us.

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๐˜‰๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฌ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ฏ 1-6 60 x 40 x 10 cm Paper, mushroom spa ๐˜‰๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฌ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ฏ 1-6
60 x 40 x 10 cm 
Paper, mushroom spawn, plastic bag, sodium hypochlorite
2025/2026 - ongoing 

For the past year, Hasanul Isyraf Idris has been cultivating mushrooms on old books, allowing mycelium to gradually consume their pages. The selected books hold personal significance for Hasanul, symbolising different stages or entrypoints of knowledge in his life. They include exhibition catalogues, books connected to close friends and family, and books from his time as an art teacher in Sabah during his early twenties.

As the fungi grow, these books are slowly devoured into pulp, returning to their natural essence. The plastic bag that seals this decomposing body is in some way a miniature grave. 
__
๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” 
A solo exhibition by Hasanul Isyraf Idris 
@hasanulisyrafidris
5 Sep โ€“ 8 Nov 2026

Supported by UOB Malaysia
@uob.my

#FruitingBodies #HasanulIsyrafIdris 
#BlankCanvasPenang
One space, thirteen exhibitions, now brought toget One space, thirteen exhibitions, now brought together in a book.

Introducing ______ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€, Blank Canvasโ€™s first anthology.

For the anthology, thirteen contributors were invited to respond to the question:
๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ข ๐˜ด๐˜ฑ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜บ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ฆ? 

For artists, curators, gallerists and exhibition-goers, learning to navigate different spaces has become an intrinsic part of engaging with art. All of these spatial engagements are explored and given form in Blank Canvasโ€™s first anthology ______ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€. 

The thirteen contributions commemorate thirteen exhibitions hosted at Blank Canvasโ€™s original space at 2 Argus Lane, Penang, celebrating the power of spaces for art and the friendship they create. 

[แด„แดษดแด›ส€ษชส™แดœแด›แดส€๊œฑ]
Ain @ainhannur 
ร‰ric Baudelaire @eric_baudelaire 
Heman Chong @hemanchong 
Hoo Fan Chon @eyeballmassage 
Samak Kosem @samak_kosem
Christina Li with Mimi Brown
Jan Mot @jan.mot.brussels & Hung Duong @hmduong
Nicholas Song @nsek71
Charwei Tsai @charweitsai 
Wei Ming @sputnikforest 
Trevor Yeung @plantertrevor 
Yu Cheng-Ta @yuchengta & FAMEME @famemenyc 
Ernest Zacharevic @ernestzacharevic 

Publication Concept: Leong Kwong Yee @kyinhk
Editor: Hung Duong @hmduong
Co-editor: Beverly Yong @rogueartsea
Editorial support in Mandarin: Lee Cheah Ni 
Proofreader: Joรซl Lim Du Bois @sehsehpenang 
Design: Kai-Cong Fam @kai.fam 
Publication Manager: Koe Gaik Cheng 
Publication Support: Alfred Cheong @alfred.cheong & Lee Shin Uei

Printed in Malaysia by Nets Printwork Sdn Bhd @netsecogroup 

______ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€ is now available for purchase.

For enquiries or to purchase a copy, please DM us.

#BlankCanvasPenang 
#______Spaces
Highlights from the guided tour of ๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” Highlights from the guided tour of ๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’”.

Hasanul Isyraf Idris and Dr Rosnida Tajuddin (mycologist from the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia) shared the stories behind the works, from the pig-tailed monkey at the entrance to the stingless bee passage and the mycelium experimentation installation.

The tour offered a closer look at the exhibition and the collaboration between art and science that shaped its making. It was an afternoon of sharing, discovery, and deeper engagement with the works. 
__
For those who would like to join our upcoming guided tours:

[ ษขแดœษชแด…แด‡แด… แด›แดแดœส€ ]
by Hasanul Isyraf Idris & Dr Rosnida Tajuddin (Mycologist, School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia) 
Language: English 

Upcoming Sessions: 
10 October 2026 (Sat)
2.30pm โ€“ 3.30pm

(๐‘บ๐’‘๐’†๐’„๐’Š๐’‚๐’ ๐’”๐’†๐’”๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’Š๐’ ๐’„๐’๐’๐’‹๐’–๐’๐’„๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’˜๐’Š๐’•๐’‰ ๐‘ถ๐’‘๐’†๐’ ๐‘บ๐’•๐’–๐’…๐’Š๐’๐’” ๐‘ท๐’†๐’๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ @openstudiospenang)
17 October 2026 (Sat)
3pm โ€“ 4pm

๐Ÿ“ Blank Canvas (85, Lorong Soo Hong)
Limited space, registration required.

__
๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” 
A solo exhibition by Hasanul Isyraf Idris 
@hasanulisyrafidris
5 Sep โ€“ 8 Nov 2026

Supported by UOB Malaysia
@uob.my

#FruitingBodies #HasanulIsyrafIdris 
#BlankCanvasPenang
A glimpse into the opening of ๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” by H A glimpse into the opening of ๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” by Hasanul Isyraf Idris.

The evening brought together friends, artists, art practitioners and visitors to spend time with Hasanulโ€™s paintings and his exploration of mushrooms, mycelium and the unseen life of the forest. 

Alongside the paintings, the exhibition brings together art and scientific inquiry through a collaborative mycelium experiment developed with Dr Rosnida Tajuddin, a mycologist from the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Through this collaboration, art and science come together to explore the networks and relationships that exist beyond what we can see.

Thank you to everyone who came by, spent time with the works and shared in the conversations that evening.
___
๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” 
A solo exhibition by Hasanul Isyraf Idris 
@hasanulisyrafidris
5 Sep โ€“ 8 Nov 2026

[ ษขแดœษชแด…แด‡แด… แด›แดแดœส€ ]
by Hasanul Isyraf Idris & Dr Rosnida Tajuddin (Mycologist, School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia) 
Language: English 

Available Sessions: 
10 October 2026 (Sat)
2.30pm โ€“ 3.30pm

๐Ÿ“ Blank Canvas (85, Lorong Soo Hong)
Limited space, registration required.

___
Supported by UOB Malaysia
@uob.my

#FruitingBodies #HasanulIsyrafIdris 
#BlankCanvasPenang
A little look back at Blank Canvas in New York. A little look back at Blank Canvas in New York. 

In August, Blank Canvas had the opportunity to spend time with non-profit organisations, art spaces, artists and art practitioners across New York, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and learning from different ways of working.

There was also time to visit institutions and spaces including the New Museum and MoMA, and to experience New York beyond the usual art circuit.

Thank you to everyone who generously gave their time to meet, share, discuss and exchange:
โ— Kelly Taxter & Jay Sanders from Artistโ€™s Space @artistsspace
โ— Jane DeBevoise and Claire Kim from Asia Art Archive in America @asiaartarchiveinamerica
โ— Grace Hong from Galerie Lelong @galerielelong
โ— Craig Mathis and Keith Gray from Printed Matter @printedmatterinc
โ— Susan Katz from Flux Factory @flux_factory
โ— Kyle Dancewicz and Sharon Liu from SculptureCenter @sculpturecenter
โ— Tobi Maier from Amant @amant.arts
โ— Becca Yeap @beccayeap 
โ— Doreen Chan @doreen_chanwingyan 

Special thanks to the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation for making this trip possible, and to Sally Ho from the Foundation, Sim Chi Yin @chiyin_sim, Guillermo Ruiz, Ryan Austin Dennis and Victoria Morphy from Storefront for Art and Architecture @storefrontnyc for their support and assistance along the way.

Back in Penang with lots to reflect on, new connections made and perhaps a few things brewing. 

Looking forward to seeing where these conversations lead.
Hasanul Isyraf Idris (b. 1978, Perak) is a Malaysi Hasanul Isyraf Idris (b. 1978, Perak) is a Malaysian contemporary artist based in Penang. Trained at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), his multidisciplinary practice encompasses painting, intricate works on paper, sculpture, installation and video. His visually dense and surreal compositions combine personal memories with imagery drawn from local mythology, science fiction, comics, street culture and the natural world.

Among his most significant bodies of work are the ongoing ๐‘ฏ๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’†๐’“ ๐‘ถ๐’“๐’…๐’†๐’“ ๐‘ณ๐’๐’—๐’† (๐‘ฏ๐‘ถ๐‘ณ) series and ๐‘บ๐’‘๐’Š๐’“๐’Š๐’•๐’–๐’‚๐’ ๐’๐’๐’, which explore mortality, grief, spirituality, healing and the complexities of human existence through strange hybrid creatures and imagined ecosystems.

His most recent exhibition was ๐‘ฉ๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฏ๐’Š๐’‹๐’‚๐’– (2026, Richard Koh Fine Art, Singapore), which marked a development towards an ecologically grounded and research-oriented approach. Inspired by the Bintang Hijau forest reserve in Selama, Perak, the works combine meticulous observation, collected natural specimens and scientific inquiry with his distinctive surreal visual language. Presented during Singapore Art Week 2026, the series reflected on environmental change, fragility and the memory of the landscape.

Recent accolades include winning the 2024 Malaysian UOB Painting of the Year Award in the Established Artist Category with his work ๐‘ซ๐’–๐’“๐’Š๐’.

___
๐‘ญ๐’“๐’–๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’†๐’” 
A solo exhibition by Hasanul Isyraf Idris 
@hasanulisyrafidris
5 Sep โ€“ 8 Nov 2026

[ แดแด˜แด‡ษดษชษดษข ]
5 September 2026 (Sat), 6-8pm 
(7pm Introduction)
๐Ÿ“ Blank Canvas (85, Lorong Soo Hong)

[ ษขแดœษชแด…แด‡แด… แด›แดแดœส€ ]
by Hasanul Isyraf Idris & Dr Rosnida Tajuddin (Mycologist, School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia) 
Language: English 

Available Sessions: 
13 September 2026 (Sun)
2.30pm โ€“ 3.30pm

10 October 2026 (Sat)
2.30pm โ€“ 3.30pm

๐Ÿ“ Blank Canvas (85, Lorong Soo Hong)
Limited space, registration required.

___
Supported by UOB Malaysia 
@uob.my 

#FruitingBodies #HasanulIsyrafIdris 
#BlankCanvasPenang

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