KOTA SAMARAHAN, April 28: Sarawak sape musician Alena Murang’s artwork ‘The Storyteller’, a three-panel piece featuring a double portrait and an audio recording of Alena learning Kelabit songs from her elders, has been snatched up by a Spanish collector.
The Storyteller, painted in 2017, is a self-portrait facing another portrait of an elderly Kelabit woman named Tepu’ Sina’ Balan.
The seven-foot-tall painting is the largest piece among Alena’s ‘Colour of the Highlands’ collection, of which the exhibition is still ongoing at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall.
Meanwhile, several other of Alena’s artworks ranging from RM1,000 to RM25,000 were sold to Singaporeans and collectors in Kuala Lumpur and Miri.
La Promenade Mall digital marketing manager Sophia Ong said Alena’s solo show genuinely exceeded expectations.
“Out of a total of 51 art works, Hoan Gallery has sold 28 or 29 pieces, with a few more bookings on the way,” she said in a statement today.
At the moment, over half of Alena’s artworks have been sold and will go into buyers’ private collections after the month-long exhibition ends on May 8.
Colours of the Highlands was originally scheduled to end on April 30, but the mall and gallery decided to extend it due to high public interests.
For those who cannot make it to the exhibit in time may contact Hoan Gallery for arrangements of private viewing.
Starting May 13, Hoan Gallery will host its next solo show featuring Bong Choo Chew’s ‘Dialogues with Our Nature’, which comprises highly detailed oil paintings.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting is expected to open Bong’s art show then. — DayakDaily
