‘Hidup Bersama’ celebrates 55 Years of Malaysia through art exhibition showcase at Menara Maybank
In conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, 13 local artists specialising in various mediums are offering refreshing takes on the realities of a Malaysian’s everyday life through the magic of art at an exhibition in Balai Seni Maybank. The artists have projected their thoughts, ideas and emotions through art to reflect our independence and the joys of living in a harmonious environment throughout more than half a century – in the midst of abundance, opportunities and cultural diversity.
As part of an initiative by Maybank Foundation, the CSR arm of the Maybank Group under its Balai Seni Art Series, the event is aimed at providing a contemporary art platform to support and highlight works by artists, including new and emerging talents as well as women art practitioners.
The ‘Hidup Bersama – Malaysia @ 55’ art exhibition is the latest instalment in Maybank Foundation’s Balai Seni Art Series and features the works of Donald Abraham, Fauziah Hj Yahya, George Danial, Koo Yean Ni, Low Khay Hooi, Long Thien Shih & Jerome Manjat, Lim Anuar, Pangrok Sulap (Sabah Art Collective), Rozarina Johari, Sherin Ng Lay Hwa, Sofian Shariff and Tin Toy (Fusion Wayang Kulit), which are creatively expressed in various non-conventional approaches that combine both local traditional and western elements.
The event was officially launched by the Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation, Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin. Also present at the launch were CEO of Maybank Foundation, Shahril Azuar Jimin, member of the Board of Directors, Pak Edwin Gerungan, members of the Board of Trustees of Maybank Foundation namely Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and Dato’ V. Danapalan, Ibu Budhi Dyah Sitawati, member of the Maybank Group EXCO, Datuk Muzaffar Hisham, as well as art lovers.
Shahril said that the exhibition is an extension of the Group’s ongoing social mission to support and acknowledge the distinctive and creative efforts of the art community in Malaysia as well as a show of commitment by Maybank Foundation to support the emerging talents in art while celebrating the diverse culture embedded in Malaysian society.
“Today’s exhibition is not merely about art, but also a showcase of culture, tolerance and inclusivity. It is more than a gathering of people in a geographic area, but to showcase a community which is responsible for each other, helps each other and builds each other to achieve the true meaning of being a Malaysian.
This is also in line with our mission to humanise financial services and to support deserving talents in their quest to reach greater heights of success,” said Shahril.
The exhibition also saw the special appearance of Malaysia’s esteemed Laureate, Dato’ Seri A. Samad Said who recited his acclaimed ‘Hidup Bersama’ poem to symbolise his depiction of love to the nation.
Over 40 pieces of artworks of various dimensions and mediums priced from RM500 to RM 220,000 are being featured at the exhibition. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sales of artwork will be channelled to various charitable organisations by Maybank Foundation.
The art exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) and 11am to 4pm (Saturday) until 20 September 2018. Admission to Balai Seni Maybank which is on the first floor of Menara Maybank is free.
Balai Seni Maybank has been actively hosting Malaysian and international artists since its establishment in the 1980’s. Some of the biggest names in the local art scene today have, in the past, exhibited their artworks at Balai Seni Maybank which continues to support the new generation of visual arts practitioners.
Maybank Foundation, which was established in 2010, actively supports community programmes under six key pillars namely Arts & Culture, Education, Community Empowerment, Environmental Diversity, Healthy Living and Disaster Relief.