By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 21: The historic General Post Office building in the heart of Kuching is unlikely to be turned into an art gallery in the near future, despite calls from the local arts community, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
While acknowledging that some parties have expressed interest in repurposing the colonial-era structure into an art space, he said the Sarawak government has already identified another suitable building for this purpose.
“I know there are some who would love to get the General Post Office to be an art gallery. But I think, in the meantime, since the State has more or less allocated another building, we’ll take that.
“The new building is located right in front of the Central Police Station and I think it would be sufficient,” he said when launching the ‘Neighbours in Heart, Friendship in Art’ Brunei-Sarawak joint art exhibition at the Borneo Cultures Museum here today.
Abdul Karim explained that the plan is to create a cohesive and walkable cultural district in Kuching city centre, which will eventually link the Borneo Cultures Museum, the soon-to-reopen Natural History Museum, the Sarawak Craft Centre, and the upcoming art gallery.
He added that other attractions such as the Maritime Museum and archaeological sites along the Damai route will further boost Sarawak’s tourism content, creating more vibrant offerings for visitors.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and Sarawak Artists Society president Sebastian Jong.
The ‘Neighbours in Heart, Friendship in Art’ exhibition brings together the creative voices of 64 artists from Sarawak and Brunei, showcasing 99 paintings that reflect identity, tradition and contemporary expression.
Held from June 20 to 26 at the Borneo Cultures Museum, this landmark cultural initiative is organised by the Sarawak Artists Society with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Brunei Darussalam, Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Brunei (STATOB), and Sarawak Museum Department.
Complementing the exhibition are community-driven programmes such as art talks and live demonstrations aimed at fostering learning, skill exchange and public appreciation of the visual arts. – DayakDaily
