YES TO PINK 2026: Art, Culture and Community at Alila Bangsar

Art should never stand alone. I believe it belongs alongside our culture, our communities and the everyday stories that make us human.

That belief came to life on 17 October 2026, when Art & Lifestyle Gallery joined YES TO PINK 2026 at Alila Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur. Organised by the Rotaract Club of Bukit Bintang, the breast cancer awareness and fundraising initiative brought people together for High Tea for a Cause, an exhibition of Malaysian art and a charity art auction supporting the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA).

This was our third collaboration with YES TO PINK. I am grateful that the auction successfully raised funds for BCWA. Yet what stays with me is more than the fundraising: it is the way paintings became part of conversations, personal memories and acts of generosity.

My Art, My Story: Three Malaysian Artists, Nine Artworks

Guests arrived in shades of pink and white, welcomed by warm conversations and Alila Bangsar’s pink-themed high tea. Delicate desserts and thoughtful details gave the afternoon a celebratory atmosphere.

Within this setting, we presented nine artworks from My Art, My Story, featuring Alex Leong, Angelo Chia and Yeo Eng Peng.

Alex Leong’s paintings offered glimpses of Malaysian heritage, architecture and cultural memory. Angelo Chia brought his distinctive observations and artistic journey, while Yeo Eng Peng’s works introduced imagination, positivity and a playful appreciation of everyday life.

Together, the paintings opened a conversation between different styles and personal stories. I wanted guests to encounter them in a relaxed environment: to enjoy their tea, look closely and discover a work that connected with their own experiences.

Alongside the exhibition, six artworks entered the charity auction, with two contributed by each artist. Art was not separate from the occasion. It became part of the afternoon’s atmosphere and purpose.

A Charity Art Auction Supporting BCWA and Local Artists

When planning the auction, I wanted to balance giving back with respect for the artists whose work made it possible.

For each artwork sold, 50% of the proceeds would be donated to BCWA and the remaining 50% would go to the artist.

Behind a painting are years of learning, practice and experimentation. Many artists continue creating while balancing financial uncertainty, family responsibilities and other commitments. Their generosity deserves recognition, but so does their livelihood.

To me, supporting a charitable cause should not mean overlooking that effort. This shared-giving arrangement allowed the auction to contribute to breast cancer support while also supporting the people who create our local art.

A Painting for a Mother: The Personal Meaning of Collecting Art

One of the afternoon’s most touching moments came during the auction of Alex Leong’s blue-toned painting.

Our emcee, Sheahnee Iman Lee, placed a bid and shared that her mother loved Penang culture. She wanted to give the painting to her mother as a gift.

I found that connection beautiful. A work inspired by Malaysian heritage had taken on another meaning through a daughter’s love. It was no longer simply a painting of a place: it had become a thoughtful gift, a personal memory and a contribution to a meaningful cause.

Another memorable moment came when John Nyan Lin Tun, Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Bukit Bintang, raised his bid for an artwork. I appreciated seeing a young community leader supporting the initiative through his own participation.

These moments reminded me that art appreciation is not reserved for experienced collectors. It can begin with a familiar place, a colour, a memory or the wish to support a good cause. Sometimes, the most meaningful connection needs very little explanation.

Pink October and the Women Who Shape Our Lives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For me, Pink October is also a reminder of the women who have shaped our lives: our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, colleagues and mentors.

Seeing guests gathered in pink and white reminded me that supporting women’s health is a shared responsibility. Families, friends and communities can all play a part.

Through YES TO PINK, art became one way of expressing that support. A painting may not change the world on its own, but it can begin a conversation, encourage generosity and bring people together. Sometimes, that is where positive change starts.

When Art Becomes Part of Community Life

Throughout the afternoon, guests moved between the paintings, refreshments and conversations. Some discovered the artists for the first time. Others recognised familiar places or shared memories prompted by a work.

Each participant brought something different. Alila Bangsar provided the setting and hospitality. The artists contributed their creativity. Art & Lifestyle Gallery brought the artworks, curation and storytelling. The Rotaract Club of Bukit Bintang brought together the partners and community behind YES TO PINK. Guests, bidders and volunteers added their presence, encouragement and generosity.

We did not need to share the same background to share a purpose. Together, those contributions created an experience that was both welcoming and meaningful.

Beyond the Canvas: The Gallery I Hope to Build

Looking back on three collaborations with YES TO PINK, I feel grateful for the relationships formed and the opportunities for our artists to meet a wider audience.

Fundraising matters, but I also hope guests remember the stories behind the artworks and the purpose that brought us together.

My heartfelt thanks go to the Rotaract Club of Bukit Bintang, BCWA and Alila Bangsar; to Alex Leong, Angelo Chia and Yeo Eng Peng; and to every collector, bidder, guest, volunteer and partner who helped make the afternoon possible.

At Art & Lifestyle Gallery, our home in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, I want to build more than a place to view and collect paintings. I hope the gallery can be a bridge between artists and society, bringing art into the places where people meet, celebrate and create memories.

I will remember the paintings, the pink and white outfits and the high tea. Most of all, I will remember a daughter choosing a painting for her mother, a young community leader raising his bid and three Malaysian artists contributing to a shared cause.

When art becomes part of life, its value extends far beyond the canvas.

Explore the My Art, My Story collection and meet Alex Leong, Angelo Chia and Yeo Eng Peng through Art & Lifestyle Gallery.

With appreciation,

Dabby Wong

Founder & Curator · Art & Lifestyle Gallery

Protect Your Art & Lifestyle. That’s Our DNA.