By providing a platform for Singaporean artists to present their artworks internationally, Maya Gallery has established itself as a key player in the country's art community. Its exhibitions offer an excellent range of work, from traditional to contemporary, often featuring thought-provoking pieces that challenge the viewer's perceptions. The gallery also actively supports emerging artists, providing them with opportunities to showcase their portfolio and build their careers.
Maya Gallery has exhibited works by award-winning artists, including Cultural Medallion recipients Iskandar Jalil, Sarkasi Said, and Chng Seok Tin, Heritage Award (Hadiah Warisan) recipient Idris Ali, and UOB Painting of the Year winner (Bronze) Valerie Ng. Its commitment to promoting art and engaging the public in the appreciation of art inspires the wider community. With its dedication to cultural dialogue and social responsibility, the gallery continues to play a crucial role in the country's cultural landscape.
Founded in 2012 by Jeffrey Wandly and his wife Masturah Sha’ari in historic Kampong Glam, Singapore, through a shared passion for the arts, the gallery was officially opened by Ms Janice Koh, then Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) for the Arts. Maya Gallery has received several awards, including Top 10 Art Galleries in Singapore by tallypress.com (2018), Recommended Art Gallery at the Expat Living Reader Awards (2015), and Best Asian Contemporary Art Gallery of the Year by National Critics Choice (2014). It has been praised as a gallery that "has won the hearts of art enthusiasts with its locally flavored exhibitions" by mydestination.com (2014). The gallery is currently located in MacPherson / Potong Pasir, a historically significant area for batik production.
Maya Gallery is a trademark™ managed by Maya Arthaus Ltd, a non-profit entity dedicated to the development and promotion of visual arts in Singapore.
Masturah Sha’ari graduated with a masters in Asian Art Histories from Goldsmiths, University of London, through LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Her pioneering research on the spirit of collectivism amongst the early Malay artists in Singapore underscores the important role played by art societies in the development of our art history. She also holds a degree in Economics and Malay Studies (minor in Statistics) from the National University of Singapore, and a Design Communication diploma from LASALLE College of the Arts. She has worked at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICAS), Singapore Polytechnic, and International Enterprise Singapore (now ESG), and currently works as a financial specialist at HSBC Life.
As co-founder of Maya Gallery Singapore, Masturah promotes Singapore artists internationally. Through curating exhibitions, conducting talks, designing and publishing catalogues, and collaborating with charities and organisations, the gallery has become a platform for artists, curators, writers and art enthusiasts for more than a decade.
Actively engaged in the art scene, she has mentored undergraduates, spoken at institutions and museums, and volunteers as vice president of Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya (Association of Artists of Various Resources) or APAD, and member of the Women Artists Association. In 2021, she chaired "Voices & Visions", the Singapore Women Artists Exhibition organised by the Federation of Art Societies Singapore (FASS) and held at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
An artist and designer, her abstract paintings and drawings have been collected in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Canada. Her corporate designs have served an extensive international clientele, including Bosch, DHL and Gulf Air. She has also designed numerous publications, including the award-winning "The Mango Tree" and "Leluhur: Singapore's Kampong Gelam", winner of the 2021 NUS History Prize.
Masturah dedicates her work in the arts to her late father, Hj Sha’ari Tadin, former Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture and the first Singaporean Malay graduate and scholar to become a Member of Parliament. In "We Also Served: Reflections of Singapore’s former PAP MPs"—a compilation of stories and autobiographies published by Straits Times Press (2014), she wrote on his work and contribution to Singapore as an educator, politician and community leader.
Jeffrey Wandly holds a Masters in Project Management from Queensland University of Technology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) from the National University of Singapore. He is a recipient of the Architecture Angullia Scholarship, and the Anugerah MENDAKI (MENDAKI Excellence Award) for being the top Malay tertiary student in Singapore. He is currently the First Deputy General Director at BIDV Tower JVC and Senior Project Manager at Guthrie. He has worked at Napier Properties and Far East Organisation. ‘8 Napier’, a luxury residential property development project which he directed while at Napier, received the BCA Construction Excellence Award (2012).
As an artist, Jeffrey captures the essence of heritage and historical landmarks with ink and acrylic on canvas. Fondly called “Building whisperer” by his collectors, he has had four solo shows, and exhibited in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam and India. His works can be found in the collections of government ministries, organisations and private individuals. He received the Best of Show Award at SeniKita by Kamal Arts Gallery in Wisma Geylang Serai (2020), Third prize (Seniors) at the Takashimaya National Student Painting Competition (1992), and Merit Award at the Singapore Tourism Board’s Saces Sculptor Competition (1980).
Jeffrey was the Executive Consultant for "Konsert Gurindam Jiwa", commissoned by National Arts Council for Silver Arts 2018, where he performed a saxophone solo alongside a 70-strong Angklung orchestra during this tribute concert to his late father Wandly Yazid, an accomplished music composer, arranger and musician in the 60s and 70s, and recipient of the Meritorious COMPASS Award in 2000.
