‘S’wak crafts receive overwhelming demand due to their uniqueness, creativity’

October 9, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) and other distinguished guests launch the ‘Living Legends & Young Masters of Sarawak Crafts’ exhibition at Pullman Kuching hotel yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak crafts have been receiving overwhelming demand from the overseas market due to their uniqueness and creativity, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Kuching has always been known as the gateway to Borneo and particularly so as the destination for foreign art collectors and antique dealers,” he said during the “Living Legends & Young Masters of Sarawak Crafts” exhibition launching ceremony at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.

The exhibition is held in conjunction with the visit of the World Craft Council City of Crafts panel of jurors for 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 recognised Sarawak craft masters as the custodians of state cultural heritage.

Abdul Karim (second right) and Hii (right) tour the exhibition after the launching ceremony.

“This (Kuching) will be the first Malaysia city if it is accorded the status of world craft city,” said Society Atelier Sarawak president Edric Ong in his opening speech.

He expressed hope that Kuching will 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 that can capture the attention of the millennial generation.

The exhibition aims to recognise Sarawak craft masters as the custodians of the state cultural heritage.

“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 a total of 20 world craft cities in Asia Pacific region.

On the other hand, Abdul Karim said that the new Sarawak museum will be the second largest museum in Southeast Asia once completed and it will be open to public 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.

Sarawak craft master performs craft work using disposed fan guard.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the exhibition which is currently held until Oct 28 from 10am to 8pm at the hotel and admission is free.

The exhibition is part of the programmes organised for the second edition of What About Kuching 2018.

Among those present at the event were deputy state secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, WCC-APR advisor Datin Paduka Fuziah Raja Tun Uda, WCC-APR past presidents Surapee Rojanavongse and Usha Krishna. -TheBorneoPost

The ‘Living Legends & Young Master of Sarawak Crafts” exhibition will be held until Oct 28 at the hotel and admission is free.

Art crafts made from disposed fan guards being showcased at the exhibition.