THE winners for the hotel art campaign called ‘Setia KARYA’ organised by the SP Setia were revealed today during the Setia KARYA Hotel Art Campaign Winners announcement ceremony held at Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
SP Setia deputy president and chief operating officer Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang said the competition was held in conjunction with the launch of the new hotels, Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur.
The Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur are set to open this year in September.
He also said the campaign would provide a platform for the local artists who were affected by the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as shine the limelight on undiscovered talents.
“There will be two winners each for the top three prizes. The first prize winners will receive RM12,000 each and followed by the second prize winners who will be receiving RM9,000 each.
“The third prize winners will be awarded RM7,000 each. And a total of 69 consolation prizes, each worth RM3,000, will be given away.
“A total of 178 artworks were submitted by 150 artists of all ages, of which 20 of these artists are with special needs.
“We will be displaying all these art pieces at both of our new hotels (Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur) which will be opened in September this year,” Koe said during the ceremony.
The first prize winners were Lim Tow Tin and Awisa Abdullah. The second prize winners were Yong Hui Lin and Arikwibowo Amril.
The individuals who bagged the third prize were Dhakshini Jeganathan and Raden Hisbullah.
Koe also shared that the winners were selected based on two themes, namely Vibrance of the Orient (Amari SPICE Penang) and Vivarium of the East (Amari Kuala Lumpur).
“Art pieces are always subjective, so it was difficult for the judges to choose the winners.
“Among the criteria considered during the selection process were the cultural components, creativity, uniqueness of the artworks and fulfilment of the themes.
“I hope that the campaign will help the artists to have better opportunities in the arts and culture industry.
“Their talents will not only be seen by Malaysians but also the international tourists who would be visiting the new Amari hotels,” he added.
The panellists include Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, Penang State Art Gallery chairman Lee Khai, Island Gallery owner Cheong Mei Fong, head of Fine Art of Malaysia Institute of Art Liu Cheng Hua and Malaysian Association of Hotels vice-president Khoo Boo Lim.
All the 178 art pieces were exhibited at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who attended the ceremony congratulated SP Setia for providing the opportunity for all the aspiring Malaysian artists to showcase their creativity, especially for the underprivileged and those with special needs.
“Bridging art and hospitality, Setia KARYA has created an opportunity for our talents to be recognised not only locally but also to be seen and appreciated by travellers from around the world.
“With Setia KARYA and the reopening of borders leading to the opening of the new Amari hotels in September 2022, our homegrown talents can now be hopeful of having greater opportunities to be discovered.
“I hope this campaign will be a catalyst to boost the local arts and culture industry as we continue to nurture and shine a light on our homegrown talents,” Chow said.
Chow was also delighted with the announcement made by Datuk Seri Koe on the opening of the Amari SPICE Penang in September.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis