IN a bid to help address the declining population of Malayan Tigers, the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) of Peninsular Malaysia are holding an arts exhibition beginning March 1.
The exhibition, ‘BELANG: Save Our Malayan Tiger Campaign’, will be held until March 31 at the Penang State Art Gallery (Level 3 Gallery) in Dewan Sri Pinang.
The curator of the exhibition Ivan Gabriel said that the exhibition was aimed at sending a strong message to the people, urging them to help stop the declining numbers of Malayan Tiger.
“We hope that the exhibition can raise awareness among the public. It is crucial for us to protect the Malayan Tigers that are now threatened with extinction.
“The Government has addressed the matter by making it a national agenda and declaring war against wildlife poachers,” he told a press conference in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Gabriel said that local artists as well as international artists from India, the Philippines and Germany had contributed their artworks for the exhibition.
“A total 75 artists are taking part in the exhibition. We will be showcasing various types of arts, such as the two-dimensional mixed media works, photographs, installations and sculptures at the exhibition.
“Visitors can view the 75 masterpieces for free at the gallery,” he said.
Among the participating artists are Christine Das, Nasir Nadzir, Peter Ong, Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak, Aboud Fares, Azmi Hussin, bibichun, Caryn Koh, David ST Loh, Delwin Cheah, Low Chee Peng, Lusy Koror, Maizul Affendy, Rahmi Bujang, Rebecca Duckett Wilkinson, Tom Powell, Woo Seng Non, and Zunar.
The State Museum and Penang State Art Gallery curator Haryany Mohamad said that there would be a talk, entitled ‘Belang & Petualang’, by PERHILITAN from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on March 7.
“A few participating artists of the exhibition will also be giving a talk at the ‘Art Talk: Conversation with Conservation Artists’ from 11.30am to 12.30pm on March 8.
“Meanwhile, artist Delwin Cheah will be holding a drawing demonstration at 1.30pm on March 8,” she said.
Haryany said kindergarten and primary school pupils could also take part in the colouring contest at 11am on March 8.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition is on March 8.
State Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said that profits from the sales of the artworks would be channelled to the ‘Save Our Malayan Tiger Campaign’ fund.
“This is our contribution towards the campaign. We welcome schools and local tourists to visit the exhibition,” he said.
For details, visit the Muzium Negeri Pulau Pinang Facebook page or call 04-261 6466.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Wo Yee Qi