By Melissa Duis
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 – The artworks of 29 local artists are currently on display under an exhibition “The ber{SEMANGAT}” or The Inspired, at the Galeri Puteh art gallery in Bangsar here. The works of another 16 artists are also being showcased in video and text forms at the same exhibition.
Supported by CENDANA, an agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, the exhibition is part of its support for local artists through its Visual Arts Production Funding Program (VAP).
The VAP, is an initiative under The National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (PEMULIH) for the creative industries, and under the latest batch it has brought together 45 artists – who are beneficiaries of the VAP grants.
According to a statement from Fergana, the Project Manager and Curator of the exhibition, while 29 artists would have their works displayed physically, the remaining artists’ works will have their works showcased through visual documentation in video and text forms and reproduced in a physical catalogue.
“An open call was held for artist submissions and was evaluated by an advisory Panel, led by well known artist academician Bibi Chew from which a uniquely eclectic line of work emerged,” Fergana said.
The artworks that will be physically showcased come from the likes of Sabri Idrus, Gan Chin Lee, Lim Kok Yoong, Haslin Ismail, Andrew Pok , Goh Hun Meng to younger and edgier filmmakers/videographers like Nadia Mahmud, Chloe Yap, Blankmalaysia, Khairul Hiffni and breakout practitioners like Hana Zamry, Syed Zamzur, Lim Chun Woei, Tomi Heri, Kimberley Boudville, Hushinaidi, Ajim Juxta, Cassileola, Tan Lu Man, Forrest wong, Alexdrina Chong, Shafwan Zaidon and Lim Anuar – a deaf artist.
The ber{SEMANGAT} exhibition will run until October 30th, from 10:00am to 7:00pm at Galeri Puteh in Jalan Bangsar here. A curatorial walkthrough tour will be also held on 22nd October 2022 (Saturday) from 2:30pm – 4:30pm at the gallery.
–WE