Local artists in need of permanent gallery to display works
KUCHING: A proper gallery is needed to showcase the masterpieces of artists in Sarawak so that the public can view them and get to know the artists better.
This is the opinion of local artist Muyang Kemundan who said his talent in art could be his career path if his works could be displayed and given the necessary exposure locally and overseas.
He said local artists had no or limited place to showcase their works here compared with artists in other countries
Muyang said this handicap was hindering their development.
“By right, we should be recognised and even given assistance.
“Many artists including myself have little choice but to treat our work as a hobby. Many of us still cannot rely on art as a way to make a living. Many of my artworks, which I have given to someone, end up somewhere in the city. I want them back because they are things of value to me.
“Back then, when I fi rst started, there was not a place where I could feature my works. My interest thus fi zzled out and I began to look for other careers to earn a living,” he said when met at the Galleria here yesterday, where his works are being displayed.
He added that he and many others were fi nally seeing light at the end of the tunnel after Minister of Toursim, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah suggested that there should be a permanent gallery to showcase the works of local artists.
He made the suggestion when declaring open the SS Connection 2017 art exhibition featuring artists from Sarawak and Sabah at Galleria Wesberly here recently.
Muyang said he welcomed the suggestion and hoped that it would materialise soonest.
“I am very grateful that I am given a place to showcase my artworks to the public. I understand this is a private gallery and our works won’t be here for long as others also want a chance to display theirs.”
Muyang, a self-taught artist who hails from Tapang Lebat, Balai Ringin in Serian, said he discovered his talent after a drawing competition which won him third prize more than 20 years ago.
He said after that he was very inspired to do more artworks, many of which were displayed at Kuching Hilton in the late 1990s.
From then on he painted on-andoff until a certain VIP noticed his work and was pleased with it and asked him to do an art piece for him.
“But I was doing it as a hobby because I had to have a job that pays me enough.”
His speciality is acrylic paint work of landscape, animals, and flora and fauna. He gets his inspiration from growing up in a village in the midst of green surroundings.
Muyang revealed that he also used to be a cartoonist, contributing to a local newspaper under the pen name ‘ Mr Owat’ with a hornbill feather next to it.
“The name was given by a media friend during that time and I like it so much. Now, I am using it as my signature name and the feather as my trade mark.”
Muyang, 59, said he was hoping to fulfill his dream of being recognised as a full-time artist and a place among the many local artists in Sarawak who have already made a name for themselves at local, national and international galleries.