We first saw Ruang Biawak at Naren Farmers Market. The name alone made us curious. Ruang. Biawak. I was like, “Eh, kau jual biawak ke bro?” So, a few days later we visited his space in Muar, Johor. Thankfully, it was close to my mother-in-law’s house.

Behind Ruang Biawak is Lau Zhen Tao, a Fine Arts graduate from Taiwan’s National Changhua University of Education.

Ruang Biawak is an art and cultural hub. It hosts exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Lau started the space with a passion for art events. “I want people to embrace confidence and creativity through our cultural roots,” he says.

Charcoal is his favourite medium. “I love working with charcoal. it needs full-body commitment to control its bold yet delicate nature,” he explains.

His teaching style matches this. For students, he prioritises self-expression first. “I let them explore freely with charcoal, then teach techniques to refine their ideas,” he says.

Children’s lessons focus on playful experimentation with charcoal and pastels. This sharpens motor skills and observation. For adults, sessions mix technical knowledge with emotional exploration. Art is a tool to unwind and reflect.

My wife and I were impressed. We decided to enrol our son Ashraf in his art class. Now Ashraf has more educational activities when we balik kampung in Muar.

For those interested, here’s the Google Maps location. The space is housed in a corner lot terrace house in a quiet neighbourhood. Parking was easy.

Regarding art classes, there are sessions for both adults and kids. You may DM Mr Lau for more details. And here’s his WhatsApp. Thank you for reading. Reels and more pictures on Instagram.