Tea has a way of bringing people together, and at CHAGEE, every space is a canvas designed to nurture connection, where culture and craftsmanship come together to enrich the tea-drinking experience.
As we step into the CHAGEE WOLO KL Global Flagship Store (the 200th outlet) and CHAGEE Mid Valley KL Flagship Store, it's hard to miss the colourful Culture Walls that enlivens the space. Created in collaboration with local artists, the vivid composition aims to bridge arts and tea culture, transforming each store into a celebration of local identity and modern design.
Culture Wall at CHAGEE WOLO KL
Inspired by a seamless blend of local motifs and landmarks, the Culture Wall at WOLO KL is brought to live by two artists: Afi Sulaiman, an illustrator and Charmaine Kamal, a fiber artist, who combine their creative forte to imbue the outlet with a breath of cultural nuances.
Born from a shared vision of celebrating tea heritage through the vibrant tapestry of Malaysian landscapes, amidst the bustle of Bukit Bintang, one's transported to a soulful sanctuary infused with Malaysian spirit, where visitors can reconnect with their roots and immerse themselves in the stories woven into every detail.
Artist's Profile: Afi Sulaiman
Afi Sulaiman creates art that is an exploration of numerous lines, patterns, textures and colours used in a fun, quirky and naive manner; there is a sense of innocence and nostalgia. Experimenting the modern genre of collage through digitalisation of drawings and assembled wallpaper to create decorative works of art. She also uses mixed media for added texture that ranges from painting, sewing, beading and embroidery.
'Cityscape' by Afi Sulaiman:
The artwork unfolds like a visual journey through CHAGEE’s story — one that bridges heritage and modernity. At the top, lush tea mountains pay homage to CHAGEE’s origins, evoking the serene landscapes where tea cultivation flourishes. From these verdant peaks, the eye travels gracefully downward into the urban rhythm of Kuala Lumpur, where the KLCC Twin Towers, Menara Merdeka 118, and KL Tower rise as emblems of Malaysia’s cosmopolitan spirit and modern triumphs.
Grounding the composition, the historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building stands as a vibrant reminder of the nation’s past. Its familiar domes and arches, reimagined in vivid pinks and oranges, breathe new life into a timeless symbol. Cutting through the middle, the MRT line becomes a poetic bridge, which represents a thread connecting tradition and progress.
Encircling it all, intricate Peranakan tiles and delicate batik motifs weave together Malaysia’s cultural tapestry. Through these details, the piece guides the viewer from the tranquil tea highlands to the lively pulse of the city: a celebration of both heritage and renewal, much like CHAGEE itself.
Artist's Profile: Charmaine Kamal
Charmaine Kamal, a self-taught fiber artist based in Kuala Lumpur, is the creative force behind Nurtureknots Studio. Drawing inspiration from bushcraft and rock climbing, she transforms reclaimed materials, such as climbing ropes, seat belts, and shipping ropes into intricate knot-based art. Her work challenges traditional gender roles within craft by merging technical precision with symbolic depth. Through the rhythmic process of weaving and knotting, Charmaine redefines the dialogue between material, form, and meaning.
'Echoes of the Woven Route' by Charmaine Kamal:
As part of this collaboration with Afi Sulaiman’s 2D illustrations, the woven elements serve as a tactile representation of the landscape and journey — a visual metaphor for the long, winding path of the tea trading route that began centuries ago.
Through texture and form, the woven work captures the geographic patterns and emotional contours of this historical trade, from the origins in China, moving through regions across the globe, and finally arriving at its contemporary destination: Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
The woven panels, inspired by traditional Malaysian songket and kelarai, carry the Tampuk Manggis mudah / simplified mangosteen motif — a symbol of welcome and abundance, interlaced with the shifting silhouettes of mountain range landscapes. This installation is not just a wall, it is a woven timeline that connects continents, generations, and cultures, rooted in craft and united by the threads of trade, memory, and home.
Building on this narrative of connection and craft, the artwork also features intricate knotting compositions inspired by Malaysia’s national flower, the hibiscus, and the camellia, the very bloom from which tea originates. These floral motifs, rendered through detailed fiber artistry, celebrate both national pride and CHAGEE’s deep-rooted connection to the culture of tea.
Culture Wall at CHAGEE Mid Valley KL
At CHAGEE Mid Valley, the Culture Wall continues this dialogue between local and modern expression. Illustrated by local artist, Haris Rashid, 'The Malaysiana' celebrates the essence of Malaysia — a nation defined by its diversity and unity.
Artist's Profile: Haris Rashid
Haris Rashid is a multidisciplinary Malaysian artist known for his intricate, layered works that blend nature, folklore, and contemporary culture. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and traditional Southeast Asian motifs, his art explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through mixed media, textures, and symbolism, Haris creates visual narratives that are both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. His distinctive style bridges fine art and illustration, earning him recognition in exhibitions and collaborations across Malaysia and beyond.
'The Malaysiana' by Haris Rashid
This artwork reimagines the map of Malaysia as a tapestry of cultures, where each state is represented through its most iconic symbols — from Perlis’ Harum Manis mangoes and Langkawi’s majestic eagle, to Terengganu’s Wau and Batik, Kedah's lush paddy field and Johor’s Kuda Kepang and Gambus. Together, these visual elements weave a story of identity and pride, capturing the essence of what makes each region unique yet intrinsically connected.
Beyond its aesthetic beauty, the illustration also celebrates Malaysia’s rich history of trade and cultural exchange, where land and sea routes once connected people through the sharing of goods, ideas, and flavours. It is a reflection of how our tea and food cultures continue to unite us.
Through creative collaborations and local storytelling, CHAGEE continues to reshape the global tea culture where tradition and innovation brew in harmony. Every creation becomes a borderless celebration of cultural connection, appreciation, and togetherness.
