‘Feel Us’ art exhibition runs till May 18
KUCHING: Sarawak Artists Society’s 32nd annual art exhibition ‘Feel Us’ at Saradise Gallery aspires to showcase paintings that reflect the artists’ inner souls and spirits.
According to organising chairman Gerald Goh, this year’s 32 participating members have created art pieces that reflect their state of mind, using colours that relate to their hearts.
“We picked the theme ‘Feel Us’ to open up and let people see our artistic journey through our artwork.”
Goh said this year, the society decided to hold the exhibition at a gallery instead of the usual venues like museums and shopping centres.
“By holding it in a gallery, we hope to reach out to more art enthusiasts and people interested to buy works of art,” he said.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, who officiated at the opening of the exhibition last Friday, said art was as important a form of expression as speaking or writing – possibly more in certain aspects.
He said people would often forget the significance of art in the discourse of social, cultural and global concerns.
“Arts organisations need to emphasise art’s contribution and relevance in society. It’s the role of these organisations to maximise their potential to influence society in the pursuit of development.”
According to Saradise Group chief executive Dato Chris Chung, the Saradise Gallery is specially designed as a venue to feature Sarawak arts and design, and is a platform to create awareness among the public of and to promote the local arts, culture and music.
“With the innovative approach of unifying identity, ecology and the arts, we are committed to showcasing and promoting selected local artists and designers and their creative works to the international markets, and also for these pieces to be within the reach of overseas collectors, buyers and enthusiasts.
“For this purpose, we will work with our international connections and further promote the appreciation of Sarawakian arts and culture globally.
“Sarawak has a lot of local creative talents which, if not nurtured, would go unnoticed and unappreciated,” Chung said.
With more than 30 art pieces displayed, the exhibition’s type of artwork ranges from acrylic paintings to clay sculptures.
David Chew, an artist whose work on acrylics is among those featured, calls his painting the ‘Beginning of Life’.
“My purpose of doing abstract expressionism painting is to bring out emotions, subjects or philosophies that are physically invisible.
“Basically I like abstracts because it gives a lot of room for others to see and perhaps, come out with their own stories – what we call interacting with the artwork,” explained Chew, who is also president of Sarawak Artists Society.
Other artists are Narong Daun, Aloysius Ho, Awangko’ Hamdan Pengiran Arshad, J Bladae Lasem, Gabrielle Lim and Lilly Metom.
Saradise Sdn Bhd director Datu Michael Ting was present at the event.
The Saradise Gallery is on Level 1 of Titanium Tower at Brighton Square here. It is open from 9am to 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays – except on public holidays.
The ‘Feel Us’ exhibition runs till May 18.