Tan (third right) with some of the volunteers overseeing the personal artistic touches made by Jumaini (right) and Shudermawan (second right) on the art mural at Pearl Street yesterday. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: A mural depicting a man holding an oversized umbrella over two women has been unveiled at Pearl Street (behind Merdeka Plaza) as part of iM4U’s four main strategic pillars which was carried out nationwide yesterday.
In Kuching, two murals along Pearl Street and another in the vicinity of the old Brooke Dockyard according to iM4U Brand Management Group director Tan Shyue Wern, is the Public Art Movement – one of the four main strategic pillars.
“The public art movement acts as a platform to inspire youths to express and voice out their opinions artistically,” Tan told a press conference yesterday.
He hoped the mural painted yesterday will leave a lasting impression with youths in Kuching to be more proactive in volunteer work.
He also deliberated on the four main strategic pillars which are: Prihatin, a programme that refurbishes homes for the less fortunate; Green Team (promoting sustainable living practices); Public Art Movement (platform for artists to contribute towards beautification of public places); and Better City (emphasising on social responsibilities to create a better city).
Also present was Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) deputy director Jumaini Haili who hailed the activity carried out by iM4U’s Volunteer Malaysia under DBKU jursidiction.
“The art activity (mural) is also in line to our CBS (clean, beautiful and safe) initiative. DBKU wants to further beautify Kuching so that people will learn to appreciate the city more in terms of keeping a clean environment,” said Jumaini.
He also said DBKU is ever ready to assist any non-governmental organisations or groups for activities that contribute to its CBS initiative.
Jumaini also called upon city dwellers to not vandalise the murals or artistic features in the city.
Meanwhile, the art mural was designed and completed by students from Kolej Komuniti Kuching led by college director Shudermawan Jaruman.
“By being a part of Volunteer Malaysia, our students will become more versatile as they are given the chance to experience the real world and work voluntarily,” said Shudermawan.
He also said once the students have graduated from the college, they would more or less have a taste of the real world outside the confines of their lecture hall.