A Weekend at REKA Design Week 2026 Designing Dignity

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in REKA Design Week 2026 themed Designing Dignity organised by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) at Pavilion Damansara Heights.

Four of my works were exhibited over the weekend, curated and presented by ELSE Gallery. Seeing the works in a design-led environment alongside furniture, interiors, materials and creative ideas was a meaningful experience for me. It placed the work in a different context not simply as paintings, but as objects that can live within and contribute to designed spaces.

And, honestly, I was just very happy to be there.

I had some lovely conversations throughout the weekend with artist, designers, creatives, visitors and people who stopped to look a little longer. I was especially grateful to have a few curious collectors come by after hearing about the work. Those moments of conversation are perhaps one of my favourite parts of exhibiting. You never quite know who will stop, what they will see in the work, or where a simple conversation might lead.

Four works, one opportunity

My practice has been moving increasingly towards geometry, pattern, material and the relationship between art and space. Working with plywood has opened up another way of thinking about the work allowing the natural character of the material to remain visible while building layers of colour, line and form over it.

Having four pieces presented together at REKA gave me an opportunity to see how they held their own within a professional design environment.

That matters to me.

I am interested in work that doesn’t simply fill a wall. I want it to have a presence in a space something that can be lived with, discovered gradually and perhaps even become part of the character of a room.

Grateful for the invitation

A big thank you to ELSE Gallery for curating my work and giving me the opportunity to be part of REKA Design Week.

And thank you to everyone who came by, stopped to chat, DM, asked questions, followed the work back to the exhibition and brought along someone else to see it.

I’m still finding my way through this wonderful, sometimes unexpected journey of being an artist.

Every opportunity to place the work in a new space, meet new people and have someone genuinely curious about what I’m making feels like another small step forward.

I’m grateful for this one.

And hopeful for what might come next.

Commissions are open

Yes, my studio is currently open for commissions particularly for original works created for residential, hospitality, commercial and interior spaces.

If you have a space that needs something considered, geometric and distinctly personal, I’d love to hear what you’re thinking. Start Here.

For commissions and enquiries: get in touch with me at ask.donebyreena@gmail.com

Art made to live with you.