By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 7: Sarawakian master craftsperson Senia Jugi makes history as the first Malaysian craftsperson to conduct a live demonstration at Homo Faber 2026, bringing the intricate art of Iban basketry to the prestigious international craft biennial on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
As a recipient of the UNESCO Award of Excellence and recognised as a Living Legend by the Sarawak Atelier Society in 2019, she brought the deep knowledge and practice of Iban basketry to an international audience.
According to the press release, Senia travelled to Venice this September for the 2026 edition, titled “An Island of Light”, staged by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
Running from September 1 to 30, the month-long biennial builds upon the previous edition, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors.
Her historic participation builds upon the previous edition, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors, with the invitation recognising Senia’s esteemed standing as a master craftsperson.
Her invitation to the global stage aligned with a wider aspiration from Sarawak’s leadership to showcase traditional crafts and the artisans who keep these living traditions alive.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas extended “Ruai to the World”, his vision of bringing the creativity born from Sarawak’s longhouses to international audiences.
This vision was complemented by the State’s continued support for the development of Sarawak’s creative industry and craft communities, creating opportunities for local artisans to strengthen their practice and gain greater exposure beyond the region.
Senia’s participation at Homo Faber was facilitated by the Sarawak Craft Council (SCC), Leon Chong, and the Tun Jugah Foundation.
The Sarawak Craft Council (SCC), chaired by Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), played an important role in supporting the development and promotion of Sarawak’s craft sector.
Abdul Karim consistently championed greater opportunities for Sarawak’s creative practitioners and artisans, particularly in bringing local craftsmanship to wider audiences.
He emphasised that the State sought to build an ecosystem where creativity flourishes and where our crafts can compete globally, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that Sarawak’s creative talents received the support and platforms to reach beyond the domestic market.
The connection with Homo Faber developed through Chong’s involvement in Malaysia’s international craft programmes.
He first featured Senia as a live demonstrator of Iban basketry in London Craft Week 2023, where the Sarawak Tourism Board, under the leadership of Abdul Karim, contributed to the Malaysia Pavilion under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Azizah of Pahang and showcased a number of master craftspeople.
Malaysian craft selection for the 2024 edition of Homo Faber further established the connection with the Michelangelo Foundation.
When planning for the 2026 edition began, Andrea Tomasi, Head of Sourcing at Homo Faber, approached Chong to request Senia’s participation.
“Sarawakian craft has never been wanting for content. I am working with the SCC under the Cultural Preservation & Heritage Committee to steward our craft traditions through strategic positioning, partnerships and platforms so that they may be understood in the contexts that they have always deserved,” said Chong.
Following Madam Senia’s live demonstration, the SCC and Chong were also invited to attend the Homo Faber Summit 2026, which brought together around 150 leaders from the creative industries and beyond to explore models of creation, production, and exchange that placed human skill at the centre of an inclusive economy.
Senia’s participation at Homo Faber marked an important milestone in placing Sarawak’s living craft traditions on a global platform, while opening the way for greater cultural exchange between Sarawak and craft communities in Europe. – DayakDaily
