A Visit to Galeri Shah Alam: Is Art Really Boring?

I went to Galeri Shah Alam with one question in mind: Is visiting an art gallery actually boring? People say it all the time, and I wanted to test it for myself.

Inside the Art Exhibition, where silence meets imagination, the first room that made me slow down. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

The moment I stepped into the exhibition hall, it felt peaceful, like the artworks were waiting patiently for someone to step close enough to listen. Light fell across the paintings which reminded me of a song, ‘Golden Hour’.

The gallery already showed me its first hint: This doesn’t feel boring at all.

Learning the Story Behind the Space

I then met Iszuan Ismail, the Assistant Curator of Galeri Shah Alam.

Mr. Iszuan was explaining Galeri Shah Alam’s 35-year journey since 1991. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

He shared that the gallery was established in 1991, now nearing thirty-five years of preserving Selangor’s artistic identity. Under the patronage of the Sultan of Selangor, the gallery aims “to harmonise art”, to create a unified artistic space through its mission of uniting cultural and educational elements, workshop activities, and exhibition events.

Mr. Iszuan said something I kept thinking about even after I left,

“To know a country, you must know its arts. A civilised nation is built on culture and manners, not just money.”

The Voices of the Visitors

Outside the hall, I met Muhammad Danial Haiqal, a student from IPG College visiting Galeri Shah Alam for the first time.

Danial Haiqal, a first-time visitor who came seeking inspiration for his own art. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

He told me he didn’t think galleries were boring at all, not when he had studied art since secondary school.

“To me, art always has a hidden meaning,” he said, “and visiting galleries helps us understand emotions, skills, and even history.”

Walking Through Stories

I continued my exploration in Galeri Shah Alam while maintaining a slow pace.

Flowers Artwork, a reminder that artistic expressions can communicate gently to reach their audiences. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

Every room at Galeri Shah Alam has its own meaning.

Quiet Moment Inside Galeri Shah Alam, rare stillness, the kind only galleries can offer. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

I stopped when I saw the artwork that caught my attention.

Me staring at my favorite art piece. (Source: Jiayi’s phone)

The Space Beyond the Walls

Even the exterior of the building carried a peaceful confidence, like it’s protecting Selangor’s artistic legacy. The clean lines, earthy colors, and its position against the vast sky, it alludes that Galeri Shah Alam isn’t just a place to view art, but a place built with intention, charm, and quiet pride.

The Galeri Shah Alam Building. (Photo: Galeri Shah Alam’s Facebook)

The Answer of The Day

So… Is Visiting an Art Gallery Boring?

After spending time here, speaking to the curator, meeting a visitor, and experiencing the artwork myself, my answer is clear:

No. Visiting an art gallery is definitely not boring.

It is reflective. It is inspiring. It is a chance to see someone else’s world and recognise pieces of your own inside it.

Galeri Shah Alam didn’t just answer my question, it changed the way I see art, and the way I appreciate silence, stories, and culture.

Warm Reminder:

Galeri Shah Alam is located at Laman Budaya Seksyen 14, Persiaran Tasik, Shah Alam, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor.

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (closed on public holidays).