Malaysia’s creative scene has never been short of talent, but discovering independent artists often means knowing where to look. OUTLET, a curated marketplace for local artists, has become a space where emerging creatives, makers and designers can find new audiences—and their pieces can find new homes.
The platform was established by two sisters, Dana and Elina. “OUTLET has always been about creating opportunities for independent creatives while making art and design feel approachable and accessible to everyone,” they explained.
From 7th–9th August, OUTLET presents the OUTLET Art & Design Fest 2026 at The Campus Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 80 creative names at the marketplace, and a programme of talks, collaborations and workshops.
Here are five Malaysian artists working across textile art, embroidery, ceramics, and more, each bringing their own perspective and craft to the local art scene.
Lempung Studio started as a personal experiment by Ajib Ismail, but soon grew into a more dedicated creative pursuit. Inspired by nature and everyday moments, he likes to work with abstract designs on fabric canvases.
In his art, earthy contemporary colours are painted in thick, sometimes textured, layers of acrylic, creating works that feel warm, handcrafted, and almost sculptural.
Honesty, simplicity, and the beauty of imperfection became a guide for Ajib when creating his artwork. Looking ahead, his goal is to set up a dedicated studio space to refine his art, expand production and present his artwork to people.
Crafting since the mid-2010s, Jesse Joy has always had an eye for the arts. Over the years, he's dabbled in beadwork, filmmaking, and curating, while working as a graphic designer, with embroidery remaining his main medium.
The Sabahan artist weaves personal reflections, current events, and aspects of Sabahan life into his work, often blending traditional techniques with contemporary ones and incorporating sustainable materials such as used and found objects.
His current work, a three-part story titled Eclectic Nostalgia, drew inspiration from window and door grilles in Georgetown, Penang, where his mother flew from Sabah for medical treatment. With Part Two in the works, Joy treats his story as a series of memories during his time in the vibrant city, transforming it into embroidery.
Joy's goals continue to grow as he hopes to create more artwork and curate more exhibitions in Sabah. He also runs his own bookstore, Bundusan Books, centred around Borneo-themed publications.
Spesu Eki (空之站) found their footing back in 2023, when they were still known as C95. What started as a small side project at home evolved into a shared space between two creatives, built around a mutual love for the nostalgia of 1980s Japan and Hong Kong.
Step into their artistic world, and you find yourself drifting through imaginary space stations, each a pocket universe filled with retro fantasy, saturated colour, and offbeat humour. Every illustration is a waypoint in a journey with no final destination. And if there's one reaction Spesu Eki chases above all, it's a simple "Wow”.
Their designs channel the uncomplicated joy of watching anime or flipping through comics as a kid, with a dash of absurdity thrown in.
The studio hopes to expand in cities like Singapore and Japan, flesh out original characters like Girl Fighters Kungfu 少女战士 and Tori-Jin 鸟人, and eventually turn the side project into a full-time reality for both creatives.
Areej Taufik first turned to art as a quiet coping mechanism during her first pregnancy, while juggling her job as a food technologist.
From colourful abstracts to serene landscapes and botanical impressions, Areej draws inspiration from nature and human connection. She believes art shouldn't be just one thing—it should spark wonder and joy, bridging sophisticated aesthetics and the personal, relatable moments of daily life.
You'll see this come to life through the quirky personalities of her cats and favourite snacks, turned into fun, pun-filled illustrations.
Areej aims to refine her practice in acrylics, digital illustration, and lino-printing, while building a stronger presence in the Malaysian art scene through exhibitions.
Isaac Ravi first found his way to clay while creating pieces for San Pottery, where he began experimenting, learning the craft, and slowly shaping his own voice in ceramics. He gained the confidence to create his own brand, Odd One Out, in 2024, becoming more expressive with his pottery along the way.
When you think of pottery, the first thing that comes to mind is the pottery wheel. Funnily enough, Ravi has only touched the wheel two times throughout his career. Instead, he handbuilds everything, trading the wheel's natural symmetry for something more raw, giving each piece a final touch that wears the unmistakable mark of a human hand.
That boldness carries over into his colour choices, too—bright, loud, and unapologetic. Odd One Out ceramics are made to stand out.
Esquire Malaysia
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