By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 22: The proposed Sarawak Art Gallery, set to be established at the old Kuching Resident Office opposite the Central Police Station, is being considered for inclusion under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Principal Assistant Secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan said the initiative aims to provide a dedicated space for creative individuals to showcase their artworks in the city.
“We have identified the old Kuching Resident Office as the designated venue for the art gallery.
“We have also conducted several study visits, particularly to Singapore, to explore concepts that could be adapted for the exhibition,” he said during the launch of the Through The Canvas, Across The Sea exhibition at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall, last night (March 21).
On March 23, 2024, Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, stated that the ministry intended to visit Singapore to gain insights into the establishment and management of art galleries in the island republic.
At the time, he also mentioned that the project’s budget had yet to be finalised, pending architectural designs and an assessment of the renovation works required.
The historic building, originally constructed in 1908 to house the old Government Printing Office, underwent extensive renovations in 1951 to serve as the Kuching Municipal Council (KMC) headquarters before becoming the Kuching Resident’s Office until 2014.
Meanwhile, Through The Canvas, Across The Sea, featuring five distinguished artists from Peninsular Malaysia, runs from March 21 to April 21 at Hoan Gallery. Entry is free, and artworks are available for purchase.
Also attending the launch were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Youth and Sports) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Hoan Gallery’s director Hoan Kee Huang and Hock Seng Lee (HSL) general manager Augustine Law. — DayakDaily
