| Fizah HAB |
OVER 120 contemporary artworks by 54 local artists of different generations are on display at the Art Gallery of the Dermaga Diraja during the month-long ‘Lakaran – BruneiKu Indah’ Exhibition.
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 officiated the opening of the exhibition.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Deputy Director of Brunei Art Forum Haji Osman bin Haji Mohammad, members of Diplomatic Corps and guests attended the launch.
Haji Osman said the exhibition showcases the artists’ nationalism and expressed hope the artwork will be part of the beautiful cultural heritage of Brunei.
“With the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, we hope to create a creative industry that can help encourage the local artists including young budding artists by providing an outlet that can help contribute to the development of the creative industry in Brunei.”
In an interview with the Bulletin, local artist Faiz Morshid said he was honoured to be selected to participate in the exhibition. He is exhibiting his collage-style ‘Padi Laila’ artwork which depicts Brunei’s growing rice industry.
For Alias Asat, his artworks ‘Regatta #1’ and ‘Regatta #2’ were exhibited last year during the Brunei Regatta held in conjunction with 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’s 72nd birthday celebration.
“It combines Chinese ink artwork and sketching. The artworks depict the regatta competition in the 60s held along the Brunei River with Kampong Ayer in the background,” he said.
“What makes this particular artwork even more unique is that rather than using normal canvas, I used cardboard,” he said, emphasising on the need to being eco-friendly when creating art pieces.”
The public can visit the gallery from Monday to Thursday (between 9am to 4.30pm), Friday (between 9am to 11.30am and 14.30pm to 4.30pm) and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. The exhibition is jointly organised by the Brunei Art Forum, Museums Department and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in conjunction with the 35th National Day celebration.