By Christine T
KUCHING, Sept 18: More than 100 artworks by 31 artists, inspired by Sarawak’s landscapes, communities, and everyday life, are on display at Hoan Gallery’s ‘Under Sarawak Skies’ exhibition at La Promenade Mall.
The exhibition features artists from Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand following an artistic road trip organised by Hoan Gallery in June this year and is described as Hoan Gallery’s most ambitious showcase to date, bringing together artistic perspectives shaped by a shared journey across Sarawak.
As not all the artworks produced for the project can be displayed simultaneously, Hoan Gallery will rotate the collection, allowing visitors to return and discover different works over time.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said art plays an important role in promoting tourism and shaping how Sarawak is portrayed to the wider world.
“Art appreciation is one of the yardsticks of development,” Abdul Karim said in his speech, which was delivered by Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan at the exhibition’s opening ceremony at Hoan Gallery, Level 3, La Promenade Mall, on Thursday night (Sept 17).
He added that art could portray Sarawak as a destination with its own character, living traditions, and progress and highlighted the contribution of arts and culture to the economies and identities of countries such as South Korea, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and, increasingly, China.
He said the Sarawak government would continue supporting local artists while acknowledging contributions from the private sector, including Hoan Gallery and its supporters.
The exhibition was supported through a grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, with Abdul Karim saying Hoan Gallery’s proposal stood out for bringing together tourism, the creative industry, and the arts under one initiative.
The initiative also went beyond a conventional art exhibition by giving participating artists the chance to travel across Sarawak, meet local communities, and experience its landscapes, culture, and heritage firsthand before translating those experiences into their work.
During the road trip in June, the artists travelled from Miri to Bintulu and Kuching, with stopovers in Mukah, Sibu, and Sri Aman.
They sketched at well-known places including Fort Alice, Kampung Wireless, and the Patrick Libau Homestay, as well as at shipyards, markets, villages, and longhouses.
Their works capture working boats, traditional homes, historic architecture, local flora and fauna, portraits, and scenes from everyday life.
Together, the collection offers a visual record of Sarawak beyond its more familiar tourist landmarks, reflecting the places, people, and moments encountered along the journey.
Notable artists include Brandon Ritom, Lee Eng Beng, Jarence Yoong, Muhammad Rojana-Udomsat, Khoo Cheang Jin, and Calvin Chua.
The full line-up also includes Marvin Chew, Lee Choon Kooi, Tan Wei Kheng, Lucas Kueh, Sia Yek Chung, Chin Kok Yan, Rapeepat Phonrattanapaiboon, Tham Siew Moi, Ong Jian Yang, Christina Chan, Ler Hock Chuan, Stephanie Eng, Bong Shin Siong, Sylvester Wielding Jussem, Magdalene Chiu, M Sahzy, Loo Hooi Nam, Ricky Hii, Jirapat Kreddee, Peter Liew, Dato’ Chong Hon Fatt, Ng Woon Lam, Tan Suz Chiang, Lee Hock Kia, and Voon Kim Cheong.
The exhibition runs from Sept 16 to Nov 8, 2026, with free admission daily from 9.30am to 6.30pm.
For more information, visit La Promenade Mall and Hoan Gallery’s websites or search for #LaPromenadeMall and @HoanArtGallery on Instagram (La Promenade Mall, Hoan Gallery) or Facebook (La Promenade Mall, Hoan Gallery). — DayakDaily
