By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 11: Nine jockeys on nine horses would be an excellent ‘feng shui’ for this ‘lumba kuda’ mural, says self-taught mural artist Leonard Siaw, whose task is to bring back the famous horse racing years in mural form on a shop wall at the Padungan commercial district.
“I hope that depicting jockeys on their horses could bring back many memories for those who grew up in Padungan and would get people to know more about the history and activities that took place during that period.”
The 36-year-old said his mural work on a shop wall was commissioned by the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and funded by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts as part of an ongoing initiative by the council to beautify the street celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“The mural is to share the history of Padungan, especially with the young generation. The mural of the horse racing activities there could connect them with Kuching’s past.
“I believe many people in this present day do not know of the racecourse that existed here, so MBKS suggested that we have a mural of the horseracing that once was a major activity here,” he said when interviewed by DayakDaily.
Siaw elaborated that Padungan, MBKS, Jubilee Ground, SK Lumba Kuda, and Kampung Lumba Kuda used to be the old Sarawak Turf and Equestrian Club, which held horse racing activities over many weekends before moving to 8 1/2th Mile Kuching-Serian Road in the 90s.
“I am sure many older folks remember the weekend activities, and I hope my work rekindles those memories.”
On his inspiration for a mural depicting the jockeys and their horses, Siaw shared that he had to go and take pictures at the present racecourse in August before he put his brushes to work.
“It’s a picture of a pony, which is why the jockey tends to look bigger. My work is currently in progress; there are six jockeys and horses, but I intend to add another three more somewhere to make nine,” he said.
Siaw shared that he worked on the mural on his own time to avoid rushing the process, adding that he worked nine hours daily.
He said the weather is another factor that slowed him down, and he expected his work to be completed by next month.
One of Siaw’s well-known mural works is the ‘Ring Ladies’, and ‘Everlasting Shape of Joy’ is among his newest pieces. — DayakDaily
