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| A craftsperson concentrates at her work. |
KUCHING: Sarawak crafts have been receiving huge demand from overseas market due to their uniqueness and creativity, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Kuching is also known as the gateway to Borneo, and particularly so, as the destination for foreign art collectors and antique dealers,” he said at the launch of ‘Living Legends and Young Masters of Sarawak Crafts’ exhibition in Pullman Hotel here on Monday.
The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the visit of World Craft Council City of Crafts panel of jurors to access Kuching’s bid as a world craft city.
Organised by Society Atelier Sarawak, the exhibition aims to showcase the extensive collection of exquisite Sarawak crafts and recognise Sarawak craft masters as the custodians of Sarawak’s cultural heritage.
“Kuching will be the first Malaysian city (to achieve this status) if it were accorded the status of world craft city,” said Society Atelier Sarawak president Edric Ong in his opening speech.
He expressed the hope that Kuching would be given the status in time for the Visit Sarawak Year 2019.
He added that the existing art community should also discover new expressions of arts that are modern and exciting, which could capture the attention of the millennial generation.
“We believe this (exhibition) is only the beginning on the journey of recognition of more and more hidden treasures of Sarawak,” he said.
According to World Craft Council-Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) president Dr Ghada Hijjawi Qaddumi, there are 20 world craft cities in the Asia Pacific region.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the exhibition, which is being held until Oct 28 (from 10am to 8pm) at the hotel, and admission is free.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the new Sarawak museum would be the second largest museum in Southeast Asia once completed in 2020.
“The new museum will reflect the diverse cultural multi-ethnic communities of Sarawak while showcasing Sarawak art crafts to the world,” he said.
Deputy state secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee, WCC-APR advisor Datin Paduka Fuziah Raja Tun Uda, WCC-APR past presidents Surapee Rojanavongse and Usha Krishna were among those who witnessed the launch.
The ‘Living Legends and Young Masters of Sarawak Crafts’ exhibition is part of programmes organised for the second edition of What About Kuching (WAK) 2018, which runs till the end of this month. -TheBorneoPost
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