Maya Gallery was officially opened in historic Kampong Gelam on 12 April 2012 by Ms Janice Koh, Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) for the Arts.

Housed in a 2-storey conservation shophouse, the gallery is conveniently located in a tourist belt close to Sultan Mosque and Raffles Hotel, and surrounded by cafes and restaurants offering a wide range of international cuisine.

Its opening exhibition ‘from the heart’ features works by Singaporean artists Sujak Rahman, Sunar Sugiyou, Charlotte Tan, and Jeffrey Wandly in oils, acrylics, watercolour, batik, charcoal and Chinese inks. Also included is a special collection of hand-crafted collectible pinhole cameras by Karto, and ceramics by Iskandar Jalil, a renowned master potter and Cultural Medallion recipient.

The event was attended by close to 200 guests, corporate bodies, architects, artists and collectors.

Directors of Maya Gallery Ms Masturah Shaari and husband Mr Jeffrey Wandly gave an opening speech sharing their passion for the arts, followed by Arts NMP Janice Koh, who encouraged more platforms to promote local arts, as thus heighten the level of appreciation for works by local artists.

The guests were privileged to hear music played on an antique violin and 100-year-old cello by a string quartet from the Wandly Yazid Orkestra, named after Jeffrey’s late father Hj Wandly Yazid – legendary composer, arranger, musician, and artist. The musicians performed original compositions by Hj Wandly with a new arrangement, European classical music, traditional music, and new compositions.

A gallery publication was launched during the reception.

Since February this year, Maya Gallery has seen many visitors – tourists, locals and expatriates, who are appreciative of new art spaces promoting local Singaporean artists in the heritage district, and close to landmark places like Raffles Hotel and the Sultan Mosque.

On the second level, there is a mini gallery as a tribute to Hj Wandly Yazid, displaying his musical instruments, a photographic showcase of album and record covers, manuscripts and books, as well as a collection of watercolour paintings by this legendary local composer.

Maya Gallery aims to be recognised and respected as a leading gallery for local artists.