Reena M at PCAF 2026: Exploring Change Through Geometric Abstraction at 1 Lasam, Ipoh

On view from 24–31 October 2026 | Perak Contemporary Art Festival (PCAF) | 1 Lasam, Ipoh, Perak

Change is rarely a single, defining moment. Sometimes, it happens quietly in the spaces between things, in the shifting relationships between forms, or in the way we begin to see something familiar differently.

This October, I am pleased to be part of PCAF 2026: CHANGE, the Perak Contemporary Art Festival, with my work Ruang Antara on view at 1 Lasam, Ipoh.

Bringing together contemporary artistic practices under the theme of change, PCAF offers an opportunity to reflect on how art responds to the world around us, and how each artist interprets transformation through their own visual language.

For me, this exhibition is another step in an ongoing exploration of geometry, structure, pattern and the spaces that exist between them.

Finding meaning in the spaces between

My practice as a contemporary abstract artist is rooted in geometric forms, interlocking patterns and the relationships between shapes. I am drawn to the balance between order and spontaneity, the tension between structure and movement, and the quiet possibilities that emerge when individual elements come together.

My exhibited work, Ruang Antara, explores this interest in the space between forms.

The title translates loosely to “space in between” a concept that resonates with how I approach abstraction. Space is not simply an absence or a gap. It can be an active part of a composition, influencing how we perceive the forms around it and how the entire work comes together.

Through geometric abstraction, I explore how separate elements can coexist, intersect and create a larger visual experience. The relationships between forms become just as important as the forms themselves.

It is an approach that invites viewers to look beyond the individual shapes and consider the connections, pauses and contrasts that give a composition its character.

CHANGE: A theme that continues to shape my practice

The theme of CHANGE feels particularly relevant to an artistic practice that is continually evolving.

Over the years, my work has moved across different surfaces, materials and scales, from acrylic paintings on canvas to textured compositions on plywood and modular geometric works. While the materials and approaches may change, my interest in pattern, structure and the emotional qualities of abstraction remains a constant thread.

I continue to explore how geometry can communicate more than precision or repetition. A geometric composition can feel grounded, unsettled, expansive or contemplative, depending on how its elements interact.

For me, change does not necessarily mean abandoning what came before. It can mean taking an existing idea, examining it from another perspective and allowing it to develop into something new.

That is part of what keeps the process of making art meaningful: there is always another relationship to discover, another balance to test and another possibility waiting to emerge.

Contemporary abstract art, rooted in process

As a self-taught artist, my practice has grown through years of experimentation, observation and a willingness to follow ideas wherever they lead.

I am interested in creating works that reward time and attention. Rather than relying on recognisable imagery, I use geometric structures, layered patterns and carefully considered relationships between forms to create visual depth and invite individual interpretation.

I hope viewers can bring their own experiences to my work. What one person sees as balance, another might read as tension. A particular arrangement might suggest movement to one viewer and stillness to another.

There is no single response that a work must produce. For me, this openness is one of the most compelling qualities of abstract art.

Art, architecture and the experience of space

Exhibiting at 1 Lasam in Ipoh also places the work within a setting that encourages an appreciation of space, material and design. The venue’s architectural character offers an interesting context for experiencing contemporary art beyond the conventional white gallery setting.

As someone whose creative journey has also been shaped by an interest in interior design and the built environment, I am especially drawn to the relationship between artwork and its surroundings.

Art does not exist in isolation. Its scale, texture, placement and relationship with the architecture around it all influence how it is experienced.

This connection continues to inform my interest in geometric abstraction and modular work, where the relationship between individual elements can extend beyond the artwork itself and into the space it occupies.

Visit PCAF 2026 at 1 Lasam, Ipoh

I am grateful to have Ruang Antara included in PCAF 2026: CHANGE, and to be part of a festival that brings contemporary artists and audiences together in Ipoh.

If you are in Ipoh this week, I invite you to visit the exhibition, spend some time with the participating artists’ works and discover the different ways change can be expressed through contemporary art.

Exhibition details

• Exhibition: PCAF 2026 – CHANGE
• Venue: Mamut Room, first floor, 1 Lasam
• Address: No. 1, Jalan Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
• Dates: 24–31 October 2026
• Artist: Reena M
• Artwork: Ruang Antara

For more information, visit 1 Lasam’s exhibition listing.

For more of my contemporary geometric abstract art, paintings and ongoing studio projects, explore my portfolio at Reena M Art.

Every space between forms holds a possibility. Sometimes, change begins when we learn to look at that space differently.