Few can utter the words "I have a dream" with as much conviction as Martin Luther King, but there are many who identify with his passion.

“Every objective is drawn from an idea; one must have a compass. Look at how Nelson Mandela and Mao Tse-Tung started and where they ended up,” said Kerk Boon Leng earnestly.

Kerk has a vision, too - one that he has put into action.

Eight months ago, the 43-year-old lawyer decided to put his 18-year law practice in the backseat to open The Lookiss Gallery with his partners Roy Seow, with the aim of promoting Malaysian art and helping Malaysian artists.

While that, in general, is the gallery's mission, Kerk admits to subscribing to a loftier vision – which, though not as imposing as King’s, is rather grandiose in itself.

“Art is not just about painting; there are many facets to it that are reflective of our lives, such as philosophy, culture, history, etc,” he said.

“I'm not sure if it is achievable but we at Lookiss aim to start a Malaysian art movement. We want to bring together a group of buyers, collectors and Malaysian artists who are unsullied by commercialism, and come up with a template for Malaysian art – which is not just a style of painting – that forms our Malaysian identity, although I can't quite say what constitutes the identity for Malaysian art.”

Sounds far-reaching, but such idealism has to start somewhere, and Kerk is the first to admit it.

“I'm not an art seller. I want to move with the artists and draw more patrons, and of course I want to make money, too, but it must have a purpose.”

Kerk's foray into the local art scene should not be dismissed as a whim; founding The Lookiss Gallery is a full circle for him.

“My law degree is just my certificate of employment. I've always loved art and wanted to be an artist. I used to paint when I was in school and have over the years kept in touch with local art development. In essence, I've never really left art,” he said.

To galvanise the gallery's vision into action, Kerk and his partners try to help struggling artists by meeting their initial expenses of art material and framing in preparation for their exhibitions.

“I also advocate for my artists, too. We are contributors to the arts, not just space providers for our artists,” Kerk concludes.

The gallery is currently showing its third exhibition “Kemensah Symphony'' until May 6.