By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 21: Sarawak aims to set a record in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) by producing a 1,370 square meter Sarawak-themed mural maze painting along a 181m maze-shaped panel structure.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who launched the initiative today said the mural painting is expected to be completed in May this year.
“It will be themed around Sarawak’s five ‘More to Discover’ elements being culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals (CANFF).
“Once completed, the mural will be showcased at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), happening on May 21 until June 4 this year,” he said when launching the mural initiative at BCCK today.
The event also saw 250 delegates from national and international universities including University of Technology Sarawak, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and UCSI University Sarawak participated in a forum on the roles of mural arts in sustaining cultural arts and heritage.
The forum was organised by Absolute Cool Event and supported by the ministry and Business Events Sarawak (BES).
According to the event’s organising chairman Michael Yii, the talents from Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) will also participate in the making of the mural.
At the same time, Abdul Karim informed that the Sarawak government has agreed for an old building located in front of Central Police Station at Jalan Barrack, Kuching to be transformed into an art gallery.
“I believe this would be a good news for art lovers in Sarawak where it would be the place for them to showcase their pieces of art and sell their paintings.
“Once the building has been handed over to the ministry, we will do the necessary renovation and we will get the relevant associations involved,” he said, adding that the art gallery will be ready within this year.
Also present were Creative Industry and Performing Arts Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan; BES chief executive officer (CEO) Amelia Roziman; Yii; Absolute Cool Event director Terence Tan Shiung Chuan; Asteel Sdn Bhd director of Corporate Affairs, Tinah Jerome; BCCK CEO Eric van Piggelen; and Ministry’s head of Events, Nasir Lariwoo. — DayakDaily
