| James Kon |
ELEVEN paintings portraying the warm bond and close relationship between 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 and the people of Brunei Darussalam are currently on display in the Raja Julangan Kasih Rakyat solo art exhibition by local portrait artist Huifong Ng.
The launching of the exhibition, which is being staged at the Dermaga Diraja from December 3, 2018 to January 3, 2019, was officiated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin yesterday morning.
The minister together with Huifong Ng unveiled a massive master portrait painting, measuring six-and-a-half feet by seven feet, of His Majesty delivering a sermon to his people after the Hari Raya congregational prayer at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque to mark the end of the fasting month in 1992.
“This moment standing here is a dream come true for me,” Ng said in her speech at the painting unveiling. “I feel very blessed to finally have this wonderful opportunity to hold my solo exhibition in my country, Brunei Darussalam.”
She said that she had been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to receive many curious questions from foreigners on Brunei Darussalam during her extensive travels in pursuit of her art career over the past seven years.
“Besides painting picturesque images of the touristic wonders my country offers, I feel it is also very important to share with them that we the people of Brunei, the ‘Abode of Peace’, have also had the great privilege of enjoying a beautiful symbiotic relationship with our caring monarch over the past decades,” she said.
Ng explained that the collection of paintings in the exhibition is dedicated to showcasing the “historical and heartwarming moments that portray the love and close bond between His Majesty and his people”.
“The exhibition is also devoted to providing a deep appreciation and great understanding to the Bruneian people and tourists visiting Brunei of the unique and living concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) practised and embraced by the people of Brunei Darussalam,” she added.
The artist extended her thanks to the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; Brunei December Festival Secretariat of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for their “tremendous support” for the exhibition, and AsiaEuro Tech Sdn Bhd for making the event a reality.
Revealing the effort that went into the event and in completing His Majesty’s portrait, Ng said, “It took six to eight months to prepare the exhibition. The master painting of His Majesty is my favourite because it reflects the country’s MIB concept that the people embrace.
“It shows His Majesty delivering his sermon, which also conveys the theme of the exhibition and shows His Majesty’s care for the people and the people’s care for our monarch. The portrait took me three months to complete.”
Ng shared that all artworks featured at the exhibition will be up for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to special needs children of dedicated special education centres throughout the country.
She added that her next goal is to explore more of Brunei’s beauty through art.
“Art can reflect the culture, life and civilisation of a nation,” she said. “I felt that I would like to give myself more opportunity to explore more of the beauty of Brunei culture and express it through my art to share with the people.”