Lat House Gallery (Galeri Rumah Lat)

After several failed attempts to launch Galeri Rumah Lat (Lat House Gallery) in the past couple of years, the momentous event finally became a reality on 8th July 2023 (Saturday). It was inaugurated by HRH Sultan Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, accompanied by his consort, Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Davidson. During the ceremony, Sultan Nazrin also conferred the title “Seniman Diraja” (Royal Artist) upon Dato’ Mohd. Nor Khalid (Dato’ Lat), who now has the distinction of being the first Malaysian artist to receive this prestigious title.

In paying tribute to the cartoonist, HRH Sultan Nazrin lauded Lat’s ability to celebrate the differences in the multicultural society of Malaysia, where people of various races, religious beliefs, and cultures live harmoniously together. Capturing these shared experiences in his caricatures, Lat’s message is that people of diverse backgrounds can live in peace and harmony in the spirit of mutual respect.

Dato’ Lat, more popularly known as just Lat, is Malaysia’s most acclaimed cartoonist. He was born in 1951 at Kampung Lalang, Kota Bahru, Perak, which is a mere 30-minute drive from Lat House Gallery. Located adjacent to Silverlakes Premium Outlet along Jalan Bemban in Batu Gajah, Perak, Lat House Gallery is situated on a land size of 0.0412 hectares. The idea to establish a gallery showcasing all of Lat’s work was first mooted by Sultan Nazrin himself when he was Raja Muda Perak.

After multiple discussions and planning, it was decided to build Lat House Gallery in Batu Gajah as a tourist attraction. Construction took seven long years at a cost of RM3.81 million, finally completed in January 2022. This bill was funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC) under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (RMKe-11). Furnishing Lat House Gallery expended another RM700,000, also contributed by MOTAC.

Lat House Gallery comprises two buildings: one is a concrete gallery, and the other unit is a wooden life-size replica of a traditional Perak kampung house – the Malay Perak Limas House with five roofs.

The single-storey gallery has several sections of exhibition spaces, an audio-visual room, a souvenir store, an office, plus an art garden. A cafe is also in the pipeline. Inside this gallery, visitors can read about Dato’ Lat’s biography in addition to going through the numerous awards that he had received over the years, besides reading his comics.

The double-storey Malay kampung house, designed according to the house that Lat grew up in, and the inspiration for the ‘Kampung Boy’ series which was first published in 1979, is furnished with furniture contributed by Lat’s family.

The curation of Lat House Gallery was undertaken by P.O.R.T. (People Of Remarkable Talents), encompassing Lat’s work that spans four decades from 1962. The task was finally completed on 30th June 2023. While Lat House Gallery is managed by the Perak Museum Board, the Perak State Government provides operational costs, upkeep, and staff for the project.

Lat, who began drawing at the age of 8, got his breakthrough with ‘Kampung Boy’. The idea of sharing his years of growing up in a Malay village came to him during his travels to the United States. Lat gained international fame in 1966 with ‘Tua Keladi,’ which was published in Majalah Filem in Singapore.

Lat House Gallery opened to the public on 9th July 2023 and is available for visits from 10 am until 4 pm daily, except Mondays. Entrance is free-of-charge for now. The recommended time allocation for the first visit is at least two hours to truly appreciate Dato’ Lat’s four decades of unique cartoons showcased at this establishment. View the full photo album of Lat House Gallery (Galeri Rumah Lat) on our official Facebook Page by clicking HERE.

Video: Lat House Gallery (Galeri Rumah Lat)

Galeri Rumah Lat (Lat House Gallery)
Add: Lot 365404, Jalan Bemban, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak.
Tel: 013-4040372
Opening hours: 10am until 4pm daily – closed on Mondays
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/zBmBACuVGkeRJEYu9