Calling all sculpture and installation artists, design studios and collectives, architects, and art students to shape the future cityscape. Compete for a RM50,000 main prize, and be part of Malaysia’s premier International Financial Centre.
 

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 September 2025 - The master developer of Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), TRX City Sdn Bhd, is organizing a sculpture design contest for its public realm enhancement program. This open call is a celebration of creative exchange, where artists are invited to integrate their unique perspectives into the district’s urban canvas.

Positioned in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, TRX is Malaysia’s international financial centre - the nucleus of capital, talent and innovation. It is built for business and designed for life, reflecting its role as both an economic hub and a lifestyle destination. The 70-acre development integrates world-class infrastructure, Grade A office towers, leading lifestyle hub, and vibrant public spaces to create a dynamic ecosystem at the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

From its park to plazas, TRX public realm is the city’s ultimate outdoor destination, promising lush green spaces and amenities. Nestled in between buildings is the green infrastructure – an area of flexible connected spaces which culminates in an iconic 10-acre rooftop park. 

The theme of this design competition, "Intersection of Exchanges",  aligns with TRX as an economic hub and a lifestyle and cultural destination. The winning sculpture design should express what it means to live at the intersection of global ambition and local spirit, embodying urban architecture and  nature.

“TRX is a place of growth, for both commerce and culture. True to its “international financial centre with a soul” DNA, TRX art story honours its community, heritage and cultural identity. ​We want this to be reflected in our public realm, and we invite our art community to materialize this vision,” said TRX City Sdn Bhd Director of Marketing and Communications Maisara Ismail.

She added that the competition, which opened on 8 August 2025, reflects TRX’s catalytic diversity, where the convergence of capital, talent and ideas drives growth, a spirit now extended to the arts community.

Meet the Judges

The judging panel is made up of two prominent Malaysian artists and a committee representing the competition organizer, TRX City. The artists on the judging panel are highly respected for their celebrated projects and award-winning pieces.

Jun Ong is a Kuala Lumpur-based light and installation artist, known for his iconic work “Star” - a five-story light installation in Penang nominated for World's Best in Spatial Art at the Media Architecture Biennale (2016) in Sydney, amongst other notable projects. His works are usually inspired by humanistic perception of the universe at large and the concept of worldbuilding, from the fields of astronomy to geology.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for artists and students to rethink what public art means in the context of Kuala Lumpur and the impact of TRX on the urban fabric of the city. Today, there is a strong desire amongst urbanites to be inspired by art and experiences in public realms. Public art when executed well has an opportunity to transcend various mediums to connect to the public at various levels - day and night, rain or shine,” Jun said.

Ramlan Abdullah is a prominent Malaysian sculpture artist renowned for his innovative use of industrial materials. A graduate of the MARA Institute of Technology and the Pratt Institute in New York, his career spans over three decades, with sculptures exhibited internationally and featured in numerous public and private collections, establishing him as a key figure in contemporary Southeast Asian art.

He sees this initiative as a vital recognition of 3D art and sculpture, emphasizing sculpture as a powerful tool for urban beautification, city identity, and creative placemaking.

“My expectations focus on the originality of ideas, conceptual strength rooted in local identity, and the use of environmentally friendly materials. I also value a strong balance between aesthetic form, technological innovation, construction techniques, and overall presentation quality. The goal is to see sculptures that not only inspire but also harmonize with the surrounding TRX urbanscape,” Ramlan said.

Submission Deadline: 31 October 2025

Who Can Apply

The competition will be split into two categories:

• Main Category (Ages 16 and above)
  Open to all Malaysian artists, designers, collectives, and design firms

  First Prize Winner: RM50,000
  2 Runners-up: RM10,000 each

• Student Category (Ages 16 and above)
  Open to all Malaysian students studying locally or abroad, or international students currently enrolled in Malaysian institutions. 

  First Prize Winner: RM10,000
  2 Runners-up: RM2,500 each

For more information on submissions, please visit:

• Main competition page - bit.ly/45YYWol
• Competition FAQ - bit.ly/47DvNQU

For further media inquiries, please contact:

Bunga Lim
[email protected] / 017-8789682

Rachel Jill Tang
[email protected] / 014-3213995

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