50 take part in women’s art exhibition

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Jennifer (standing, fourth left) and Assaffal (standing, sixth left) with participants of the 12th Sabah Women’s Art Exhibition 2019.

KOTA KINABALU: The annual Sabah Women’s Art Exhibition organised by the Sabah Art Gallery draws more participation each year, with 50 participants for its 12th edition this year.

Sabah Art Gallery manager and curator Jennifer Linggi said social media had helped create awareness of the exhibition, enabling it to receive more participants with better quality submissions each year.

“We are the only State in Malaysia to hold an exhibition specially for women, annually. We do so to encourage women artists to produce artwork and submit it, as we know women can be very busy with work and home life and may not have a chance to produce one complete artwork.

“With this exhibition, they would indirectly be doing something good for their soul. I hope this exhibition would give them the excitement and courage to follow whatever it is they are good at,” said Jennifer.

Speaking to the press at the ‘Kupi Kupi Seni’ session at the launch of the 12th Sabah Women’s Art Exhibition 2019 yesterday, Jennifer said 165 works were submitted in various forms and mediums, namely acrylic paintings, paper-mache, ceramic and embroidery.

The exhibition, open to all women in Sabah, also encourages participation from international women artists staying in Sabah, said Jennifer. This is to provide a different perspective alongside the locals’.

“The exhibition is open to Sabahan women as well as women living in Sabah. In fact, some of the international artists are returning participants. These women are encouraged to join because they view Sabah through their eyes, which is different from the way we see Sabah as locals. This would be good for our people as we would be exposed to a different point of view,” she explained.

Earlier, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Assaffal Alian said women artists exhibit potential to advance in line with the development of the art scenario in Sabah, which shows positive growth.

He also said the exhibition could help women artists compete commercially.

“With support from the Sabah Art Gallery under the Sabah State Cultural Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, this exhibition and other programmes organised by the Gallery could surely raise the quality and value of visual art in the State,” said Assaffal.