(From left) Manyin accepts a memento from Melton and Lim.
KUCHING: Parents should encourage their children to take up arts because there is a career in this field.
In stating this, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Seri Michael Manyin says despite being among the school’s key elective subjects, there is still a need to change the people’s perception regarding arts.
“In the past, we went to the school to ‘survive’ – meaning, your parents expected you to change your lives and be better than they were.
“The subjects that they encouraged you to take – and also those eyed by students who wanted to become professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers and accountants – would be Science, Mathematics, History or Geography.
“Nobody thought about arts,” he said at the launch of the Arts Teachers Exhibition (ARTEX) at the Galleria, in Wesberly House at Jalan Rubber West here on Friday evening.
The minister said it was high time to change such perception and thus, he regarded the inaugural ARTEX as one of the ways to promote arts in Sarawak.
“Artists and musicians play a very important role of making people happy, making people cry and making people united.
“They are the people with the inner talents, the imagination and the creativity; they are the people who can express their feelings and imagination through their masterpieces, and make us happy and appreciate life.
“Works of arts can be sold for millions – the late Rapheal Scott Ahbeng was one of the successful artists who had make millions through their works.
“One can actually earn a living through arts,” he added.
The exhibition at the Galleria is showcasing a total of 77 artwork pieces including paintings and sculptures by 40 arts teachers, tutors, and lecturers from all over the state – it runs until end-January next year.
The opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays; and 9am to noon on Saturdays.
On the request by the arts teachers to the Sarawak government for the setting up of a gallery for them to exhibit their works, Manyin proposed they approach the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and suggested that one of the sections at the still-being-renovated Sarawak Museum be made as a place to display their artworks.
Meanwhile, the minister also congratulated ARTEX 2019 organising chairman Melton Kais, Galleria principal Irene Lim and participating arts teachers for their immense contribution to the exhibition.