Ministry supports, endorses international art exhibition
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment supports and endorses the inaugural New Silk Road Network (NSR) Asia-Pacific ‘Art Connects’ International Art Exhibition to be held at the Sabah Art Gallery from October 26 to November 26.
Its minister Datuk Christina Liew gave the assurance during a courtesy call by a nine-member delegation from NSR and United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB), Kota Kinabalu Branch, led by chairman of NSR Network, Prof Dato’ Dr Wilson Yong on Thursday.
“Creative activities related to art, production of artworks and culture will be supported by my ministry,” she said.
Liew, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, commended NSR Network for taking the initiative to organise the international art exhibition with the theme ‘Art Connects’.
Co-organised by the Malaysia Maritime Silk Route Research Society, the event is supported by the Sabah Institute of Art, University College Sabah Foundation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Art Gallery, Sabah Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Association of Asian Artists, BIMP-EAGA and Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia
(PUMM).
She has accepted the invitation from the organisers to officiate at the launching of the exhibition on October 26.
Briefing the minister on the event, Yong said the exhibition was part of the NSR Asia-Pacific ‘Art Connects’ Week which would feature about 150 artworks in contemporary and traditional media to showcase subject matters expressed by artists from Malaysia (including Sabah), China, Indonesia, Negara Brunei and Belgium, as well as several countries along the Silk Road.
“Besides providing a platform for formal cultural interaction, the principal objective of the exhibition is to facilitate the exchange of artistic accomplishments and to produce an event that brings about collaboration among proponents of the visual arts from corridor countries along the Silk Road,” he explained.
Other features of ‘Art Connects’ Week include an art outing for a sketching and painting activity being organised by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society at the site of the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands in Likas, and a series of art workshop sessions such as cardboard craft and collage to be conducted by Balinese artists at the Sabah Art Gallery.
Other members of the delegation included deputy chairman of NSR Network, Dr Damian Lee, secretary-general George Ngui, ‘Art Connects’ Week Organising chairman, Matthews Aziz and Organising vice chairmen Zulfadli Zaini and Chaw Yau Choi.
United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB) is one of the co-sponsors of the exhibition.
Its Kota Kinabalu Branch Manager, Robson Soo Kan Hung said the bank’s gesture reflected its interest to contribute to tourism development in Sabah.
“We encourage visitors and locals alike to take a look at the masterpieces created for the month-long international art exhibition at the Sabah Art Gallery,” he said.
He was accompanied by UOB Head, Strategic Alliance & Ecosystem Business Banking, Chan Ming Wai from Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu Branch Team Head Business Banking, Cheryl Lam Chui Yeen.
Also present were the Sabah Cultural Board General Manager, Mansur Asun and the ministry’s Principal Assistant Secretary, Mary Malangking.