The 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Exhibition in Danga City Mall is part of efforts to market the country as a premier destination for art
A sombre creation set on the ground by Rosli Zakaria, entitled Let Me Free, includes metal, stone and metal chains which express the desire to be free from such shackles.
On a nearby wall, an intriguing piece by Baharin Samuri, entitled Bandit Series: Made To Be Broken... Friday 090606, features a page from a traditional kuda (horse racing) calendar and a police report behind a glass panel that is fastened with bolts.
An assemblage piece by Norazlan Ahamd entitled Jeritan Nusantara 1 expresses frustration as heritage is sidelined or lost because of globalisation. The three-dimensional composition consists of objects such as cake moulds, cables, sockets, a keris and its scabbard, betel nut tray and dried betel leaves on a backdrop of stained songket cloth.
These are some of the artworks at the state-level 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Exhibition in Johor Baru.
It was opened by state tourism, domestic trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang recently.
Held at three galleries on Level 4 of Danga City Mall, it is open from 10am to 10pm until Oct 15.
Organised for the second consecutive year, the exhibition is part of the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival (1MCAT) launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen in July.
The festival aims to position Malaysia as a reputable destination for art enthusiasts to enjoy and acquire contemporary art. It is also a platform for artists, gallery owners and collectors to share ideas and information about contemporary art in Malaysia.
Recognising the growing importance of art in tourism, the ministry has held exhibitions with the theme Malaysia Art -- A Vibrant Destination in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and other places since July.
Hoo encouraged tourism industry players in Johor to work together to develop the tourism industry in tandem with the state's rapid development.
He said next year was the tipping point because an influx of tourists was expected with the opening of two major tourism destinations -- the Johor Premium Outlet and Legoland.
As Johor was taking part in Nanjing Travel Fair 2012, he said, the state could be aggressively promoted with more inbound tour packages designed to attract tourists to destinations and activities in the state.
A gallery curated by Page One Academy showcases the award-winning creations, of budding artists aged 13 to 18, from the Johor Baru District Secondary School Art Competition which carried the theme "Simfoni Warna 2011".
Muhammad Nabil Azahari said his painting entitled Ayam was an expression of colours while the painting by Ching Si Qi, of the same title, is a brush and ink rendition of a cockerel.
Nor Farhana Muhammad said her watercolour painting Bot Laju was inspired by a boat she saw on a trip to Langkawi.
"We should appreciate the young people's effort and share their dreams," said the art academy's principal, Oh Moo Tan, who is also an artist.
Page One, set up in 1993, accepts students as young as 4.
A workshop section welcomes participants to try painting items such as wooden clogs, spatulas, photo frames and boxes for only RM10 with items and paints provided.
1MCAT is organised by the Tourism Ministry through Tourism Malaysia Johor in cooperation with the Johor Heritage Foundation and Persatuan Seni Lukis dan Reka Cipta Johor. It is supported by the state Education Department and Danga City Mall.
Art enthusiasts can look forward to seeing about 100 contemporary visual artworks by 30 local artists at 1MCAT in Johor Baru. The artists include Sanip Lasman, Rosli Zakaria, Baharin Samuri, Ali Mustaffa, Norazlan Ahmad, Tan Suz Chiang, Ashok Kumar and Abdul Majid Yahya.
NST Online: Latest
