(From left) Wee, Abdul Wahap and Pearmain putting their personal touch on a wall of Kai Joo Lane. — Photos by Chimon Upon.
Some members of the public take the opportunity to join in the fun at Kai Joo Lane.
KUCHING: The public has been invited to unleash the artist in them by joining Australian artist cum teacher Lucy Pearmain to breathe life into the blank walls of Kai Joo Lane.
The Community Arts Project (CAP) was initiated by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) in collaboration with For Art (F’Art), a non-profit organisation from Perth, Australia.
DBKU’s initiative is led by its board member cum India Street Pedestrian Mall Community Association chairman Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
Pearmain, who is F’Art’s creator, opined locals could feel pride for the city if they were personally involved in making things happened.
“It is different when you do it yourself, compared to admiring the artworks of other people,” she said at the Community Mural Art Painting for Kai Joo Lane yesterday.
“If you do it yourself, you have pride in your city, and you find the beauty in it because it is part of you.”
Grateful for the opportunity, Pearmain said the local community was lucky to be given the space to beautify the city using paint brush.
“We want everyone to be included. A lot of people say they cannot do art, but that is not true. EveryoAne can be an artist, and we are here to prove it.
“This is made by the people for the people. So we want to invite everybody to put their personal touch on the walls and feel the love, pride and sense of belonging every time they walked past the area.”
Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said this project was a continuation of several art initiatives by DBKU to enhance the people’s sense of belonging towards their city.
“It is part of the Kuching Clean, Beautiful and Safe (CBS) Enhancement Plan that ends in 2017. We hope this particular project can be completed before the Chinese New Year to boost the place a little bit,” he said.
Abdul Wahap encouraged the public to initiate similar projects to beautify their surroundings, but DBKU must be informed beforehand.
“Those with ideas or proposal can approach DBKU. We can work together to make it happen. We can also help to source for sponsorship if DBKU cannot provide the grant.”
He stressed that community engagement was important to create a healthy, beautiful and safe city and to foster teamwork and unity.
Meanwhile, Wee opined that such a project could bring people closer together.
“We want to engage the people in everything that DBKU initiates so they can be part of the soul of the city they live in.”
Pearmain will be at a cat-statue making workshop at the Cat Museum in DBKU from 2pm to 4pm today. On Friday, she will be at Buntal Esplanade to beautify the area using art.