| Achong Tanjong |
A PRIZE presentation ceremony took place at the Art Gallery of the Demaga Diraja in the capital yesterday, for the winners of the 2017 Art Competition, held in conjunction with the 71st birthday celebrations of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
In Category A, first place went to Faizal bin Hamdan, an art teacher at sixth form centre, who received a cash prize of $5,000 for his piece, ‘Imbasan 1967’, in acrylic medium.
Second place went to Borneo Bulletin graphic designer Suhaili bin Omar, who won $1,000 for his work, ‘Raja Payung Negara’, using oil paint. Meanwhile, in third place was Marsidi bin Omar, who was awarded $500 for his painting,’ Kedaulatan Raja Di Mata Dunia’, also in oil medium.
The consolation prizes of $200 in this category went to Khairul Asri bin Tarip and Mohd Zahidi bin Bakir, who used watercolours and pastels in their respective works.
This year’s only prize in Category B went to third-place winner Mohd Abdul Wafi bin Haji Mat Salleh who received $300 for his work in acrylics.
The two consolation winners in that category each received $150 as a cash prize.
Category C had no first-prize winner. The second prize went to Batrisyia Arifah binti Osman with her watercolour, ‘Determination’, while in third place was Nur Rabiatul Adawiyah binti Abdullah Aminor Rizal.
The three consolation prize winners of this category – Nur Najwa Farahiyah binti Jani, Md Haziq Nizar bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Khairunnisa Waliyah binti Osman – were each awarded $50.
Prizes were presented by Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs as personal representative of Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs.
The competition was divided into three different themes: ‘Raja Berdaulat’ for Category A; ‘National Development and Achievements’ for Category B; and ‘My Vision for My Country’ for Category C.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Category A second-prize winner Suhaili – who also took first and second prizes in previous years – said that it took him three weeks to complete his artwork.
This year, 72 entries were received, with the judging taking place on July 17, led by Mohamad Jefri bin Haji Sabli, the Acting Director of Museums; and Dato Paduka AR Haji Idris bin Haji Abas, the founder and CEO of Artikek Idris, a local architectural firm.
In his speech during the prize presentation ceremony, Dato Paduka AR Haji Idris said that this event was an opportunity for Brunei artists and school students to showcase their skills in art on a public platform.
Among those present at yesterday’s event were the Brunei-Muara District Officer and Executive Committee Chairman, Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim, government officers and invited guests.
Members of the public can view the winning entries at the Art Gallery of the Dermaga Diraja, from August 30 to September 17. The visiting hours are 9am to 5pm on Monday-Thursday and Saturday; and 9am to 11.30am, and 2.30pm to 5pm, on Friday.
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