ONE PHOTO EVERY WEEK

OLD SHOPHOUSES Revitalizing Old Shophouses: Business Opportunities and Ideas On my way to Seri Iskandar, I passed through Gopeng and saw a row of beautiful, colorful old shophouses—closed for business. Despite their historical charm, these buildings stood silent, waiting for a new purpose. It struck me how many old towns in Malaysia have similar shophouses, once bustling with life but now abandoned or underutilized. Having studied in Tanjung Malim for four years, I had never explored Gopeng, even though I’ve frequently traveled between KL, Penang, and Alor Setar. I’d heard of Kellie’s Castle but had never visited it until this trip. My friend stopped at the car park, and I took a few photos of the historic site and surrounding old buildings—just using my mobile phone since I hadn’t brought my Fuji XT20 on this business trip. Despite the quick stop, I saw potential everywhere. The Decline of Old Shophouses and the Rise of Malls Across Malaysia, old shophouses are left to rot as n...

  The Intoxicating Aroma of Freshly Baked Bread There’s something irresistible about the smell of freshly baked bread—especially when it’s slightly burned at the edges. The aroma is intoxicating, almost overwhelming at times, as I find myself lost in the sights and scents of warm loaves, golden pastries, and delicate cakes neatly arranged in a bakery. Growing up in a kampung, bread was a foreign concept to me. In our village, rice was the staple, and we rarely encountered Western-style baked goods. My first memory of eating bread was during small feasts celebrating the birth of a newborn, where we were served sliced white bread dipped in rich, flavorful chicken or lamb curry. That was the extent of my relationship with bread in those early years. It wasn’t until I became a student at Sheffield University in England in the 1970s that I was introduced to a whole new world of baked delights—cakes, pastries, and sandwiches. Even then, my heart remained with traditional Malaysian dishes...

  According to reports, the visual arts industry in Malaysia is valued at less than RM100 million. This is a relatively small figure compared to other creative sectors. The question is: Who is actively promoting visual arts in Malaysia? As far as I know, there is only one government agency that plays a significant role in supporting the art business—the National Art Gallery (NAG). Its primary mission is to promote visual arts while preserving Malaysia’s national artworks. A few years ago, NAG launched the Young Artist Entrepreneurs (YAE) program to help local young artists develop their skills, not just in creating art but also in transforming their work into a sustainable business. The program encourages participants to explore both fine art and art-based products for sale. In 2020, I was honored to be engaged as one of the YAE Business Coaches. Over the last five years, I have worked closely with more than 100 artists, guiding them in their entrepreneurial journey. One...

  Thriving as an Artist: Creativity, Paper, and Business Despite the rapid global shift toward digitalization, paper remains a fundamental medium for creative artwork. Personally, I use both digital tools and a physical journal. Nothing can replace the experience of seeing, touching, and holding something tangible. While digital art is primarily visual, paper-based art engages multiple senses, making it uniquely valuable. Artists can create a wide range of products using paper. While commissioned paintings provide an income, it’s wise to develop both active and passive revenue streams to sustain a living. Creativity has no limits! Some paper-based products artists can create and sell include: 1. Packaging designs 2. Calendars 3.  Art prints 4. Diaries 5. Notebooks  And many more! How to Sell Your Paper-Based Artwork Many artists cannot afford to open their own physical stores, but that should not be a barrier to success. Here's how you can start selling yo...