About SensoFounded 2017 by Catherine Chai
Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Bahru

An art gallery, a workshop and a café, in one place on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

Senso Art Gallery Café was founded in 2017 by Catherine. It gives local, resident and foreign artists a platform to show their work, along with enrichment workshops where people can learn, appreciate and enjoy art.

We help the public appreciate and support artists, especially local ones. Through this we hope to grow a community of like-minded people: not only for social interaction, but to help artists support their livelihoods, and to give talented individuals room to grow in the art world.

We run workshops such as pressed flower, cyanotype, painting and colouring, so the young generation can embrace the spirit of an art lifestyle. Anyone, novice or amateur, can unleash their full creative potential.

The café serves food, drinks and desserts for a break from busy life. We hand-craft our food just as we created our space, for the complete experience, and work with purveyors whose value and quality appeal to the eye as well as the taste buds.

Panorama of the gallery, works hung along both walls — The gallery at no. 25Photo: Senso Art Gallery Café

Folklore

Named after the six senses.

Senso brings the six human senses together with creative art: sight, smell, sound, touch, taste and feel. It is our way of exploring new ways of presenting art through personal, sensory feelings and emotions.

Sight

Smell

Sound

Touch

Taste

Feel

The founder

Catherine Chai

Founder and artist · Born Johor Bahru, 1971

Catherine's interest in art began at a tender age and grew into a full-blown passion for everything creative. In her own small ways, she hopes to share the familial spirit that puts smiles on our faces and keeps us going, with inspiration from daily living.

She studied Graphic Design at Saito University College, then spent two years as a designer in advertising in Malaysia and Singapore, shaping visual concepts by hand and on screen to communicate ideas that inspire, inform and captivate.

She went on to work as a gallery curator at White Box Gallery and to teach art. In 2017, after five years of planning, she opened Senso Art Gallery Café. Running a gallery café while still growing as an artist has taken real courage and determination.

Her practice focuses on nature and always brings in mixed media. She is passionate about making impactful art that brings positive vibes to people and improves their quality of life, and her style has grown steadily over the years.

She believes her art can bring positive messages to the people who see it. That belief is what keeps her making art.

Studied: Graphic Design, Saito University College
Designer: Advertising, Malaysia & Singapore
Curator: White Box Gallery
Practice: Nature · mixed media

From her practice

Our goals

Why we're here.

Mission

To give artists a platform to show their talent, and connect people to art by encouraging, supporting and nurturing local and international creative talent.

Vision

To become an extraordinary, creative platform for visual arts and crafts, all around Malaysia and internationally.

Show your work

Two ways in, for artists and for anyone who wants to make art.

Visitors around sculptures at an opening

Art exhibitionPropose a show

A good platform for artists to show their work. As curators, we help them develop their art careers.

“For artists, the great problem to solve is how to get oneself noticed.”

Art educationAsk about workshops

Art workshops and lessons to unleash creative potential, for every level.

“Everything you imagine is real.”

What we offer

A total art-lifestyle.

“Art is too important not to share.”

01Art commissionCustom-made artworks, designs, murals and more, made for your space.Start a commission →02Volunteering programmeVolunteering programmes that inspire people to experience art by taking part.Get involved →03Retail (art & crafts)A collaborative platform where makers reach more people with their products.Shop →04CaféEnjoy food and art together in a cosy room, for a total art-lifestyle experience.Book a table →05Custom framingFrames cut and fitted at our bench in about ten working days. Try one on in the framing playground.See framing →

Visit & contact

25 & 25A Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

The shophouse at 25 & 25A, in watercolour by Mey, 2019

Opening hours

Monday10:00 – 18:00

TuesdayClosed

Wednesday10:00 – 18:00

Thursday10:00 – 18:00

Friday10:00 – 18:00

Saturday10:00 – 18:00

Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Free entry to the gallery.

Find us25 & 25A Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 JohorGallery at no. 25, café at 25A. A short walk from JB Sentral and the Causeway.Directions ↗See the map

Call+6016 733 1972 +607 220 0299

Write[email protected]Instagram @senso_art_gallery_cafe_ ↗

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