CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has announced the return of its annual flagship arts event, CIMB Artober Art & Soul 2025, marking its fifth year as a platform for Malaysia’s creative economy. The event, which will take place from September 26 to 28 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, aims to showcase works from over 30 galleries and more than 100 artists.
The official launch was attended by Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry; Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of CIMB Group; and Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group. Delegates from the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting were also present.
Novan Amirudin stated, “Artober is about art for everyone. Art that inspires how we think, that challenges us to take a stand, and that compels us to reimagine the world rather than simply inherit it. Art that amplifies marginalized voices, builds empathy and strengthens community. Like art, CIMB is about diversity and making sure everyone wins. Our purpose is to advance customers and society – to foster inclusion and to make a meaningful difference across ASEAN. That is why Artober is much more than an art fair. It is a platform of inspiration.”
Since its start in 2020, CIMB Artober has raised over RM20 million for the art community and annually features around 1,000 artworks.
This year’s highlights include a rare exhibition of seven pieces from the private collection of late Malaysian artist Datuk Ibrahim Hussein; solo exhibitions by Prof. Zulkifli Yusoff (“Transparency”), Daud Rahim (“The Mirror Within, The Soul of My True Self”), and Tan Kai Sheuan (“Nothing Exists Alone”); as well as displays of hand-woven crafts from Mah Meri Cultural Village and the Malaysian Prison Department.
The Pahang Pavilion will return with Songtik shawls blending tenun and batik traditions alongside Iban textiles from Sarawak. The program also includes talks featuring Her Royal Highness Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah with international guests, plus an exhibition highlighting Aina Abdul’s outfits designed by Melinda Looi.
An art auction curated by Mercy Malaysia will be held on September 28 with proceeds directed to Gaza.
CIMB Artober will introduce a digital catalogue offering new ways for visitors to view artwork online—including visualizing pieces in their own homes.
Admission is free for all visitors. Holders of CIMB debit, credit or prepaid cards are eligible for discounts on purchases at participating galleries—10% off with minimum spending of RM10,000 or 15% off above RM25,000 per receipt. More information can be found at http://cimb.com.my/artober
