SIBU: Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng will hold a meeting with art associations to discuss a proposal to create a comprehensive art gallery to house various forms of art.
According to Chieng, the major problem faced by art associations in town is finding a place or venue to exhibit their art products.
Therefore, as the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan is underway, he said that it is timely to include this proposal in the plan.
“Since we are carrying out the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan, especially now, I believe it’s an excellent time to propose to our Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, that we should have a professional art gallery as well as theatres capable of accommodating thousands of people,” he said.
He sid this during a press conference held in conjunction with the “Mysterious Heart of Sarawak” Exhibition by the Sibu Photography Association (SPA) here yesterday (Oct 18).
He stressed that the art gallery should include not only various necessary systems such as lighting and sound but also a theatre that could accommodate thousands of people, as Sibu lacks such a venue.
“This way, we can have the exhibition in the art gallery together with the theatre and perhaps some meeting rooms. Our associations, regardless of race or the type of art they represent, may exhibit their work in rotation.
“We can have a more professionally arranged art gallery for our local artists, enabling us to connect internationally. We can even invite overseas artists to exhibit their products in Sibu, making it another attractive tourism spot for the city,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, on the exhibition, Chieng said that he is impressed by SPA’s passion in finding and meeting the interior people, staying with them, and learning about their culture for the purpose of documenting it for the next generation.
“This is not an easy job as it is time-consuming and requires a lot of professional skills. From what I can see, everyone has worked hard to promote Sarawak to the whole of Malaysia and even to the outside world.
“Photographers use photos to record, videographers use video to showcase the beauty of Sarawak, and bloggers use words to document what they see in Sarawak.
“Hence, The Ministry of Tourism welcomes more institutions, associations, and companies to work together in promoting Sarawak’s tourism. Through such cooperation, we can introduce more people to and help them appreciate Sarawak’s diversity and uniqueness,” he said.
The exhibition will run from Nov 11-17 at the lobby of Kingwood Hotel here, and the public is welcome to participate.
Also present were SPA President Edwin Ong Wee Kee and others.
