Noor Mahnun (b. 1964, Malaysia), also known as Anum, is recognized for adapting the traditional technique of oil painting into a style that has been praised for its simplicity and meticulousness. Beneath their guide of naivety and delicacy are carefully crafted compositions that weave subtle psychological narratives with a droll attitude towards the unusual, even when it’s banal.
Born in Kelantan, Anum studied architecture in the USA. She completed her Master’s in Fine Art at Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig in 1996. Anum was artist-in-residence at Rimbun Dahan in Kuang, Selangor (2000-2001) and received a scholarship from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a printmaking course at Il Bisonte, Florence (2002-2003). Her solo exhibitions include Anum at Yeo Workshop, Singapore (2025), Disco Lombok Still Life (2017) at The Edge Galerie, Kuala Lumpur and ‘September’ (2021) at The Back Room, Kuala Lumpur. In 2026, her works are also being showcased in Painting Itself/绘画本身 exhibition presented as part of the Perth Festival in Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts before continuing onto Drill Hall Gallery in the Australian National University Canberra.