PUTRAJAYA, 29 OCTOBER 2012: The Minister of Tourism, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen announced the winners of the “1Malaysia. The Futurists” art competition today at the Ministry of Tourism Art Gallery in Putrajaya.

The competition, which is part of the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival, attracted 34 entries from seven institutions of higher learning all over Malaysia. The theme of the competition encouraged participants to explore the changes that mould and bond the life, spirit, culture and heritage of Malaysia and its society, and to represent modern life and experiences in an abstract art/contemporary art.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Malaysia, Balai Seni Visual Malaysia and Gabungan Persatuan Pelukis Se Malaysia (GAPS), the art competition is aimed at ensuring a thriving and sustainable art culture for the future among the young generation of artists, cultivating quality and excellence among upcoming artists, identifiying potential prodigies, establishing an understanding of the level of art competency, and providing an opportunity and space for young artists to exhibit their artworks.

Lim Zee Chee, of Limkokwing University, took home the first prize of RM5,000 and a certificate, with the winning entry, “Under One Roof.” The acrylic on canvas painting depicted Malaysians from different walks of life living peacefully together as a community.

Second prize winner was Nurhidayat bin Arshad of UiTM Perak with his acrylic painting, “Seminda Sejiwa” which reflected on equality among humans of various cultures, races and religions.

A further eleven participants were awarded RM1,000 each and certificates for coming in third place, while the rest were given consolation prizes of RM500 each and certificates.

The competition began receiving entries in mid-September until early October from The One Academy, ASWARA, Malaysia Institute of Art, Limkokwing University, New Era College, UiTM Seri Iskandar in Perak and Saito College.

The artworks were judged on originality, creativity, artistic impressions and interpretation of subject matter/theme. A panel of judges that included Deputy Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin; Director General of Balai Seni Visual Negara, YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Yusof Ahmad; Editor of Art Malaysia magazine, Mr. Liew Kian Yap; Project Director of Art Expo Malaysia, Sim Pojinn and Gabungan Pelukis Se Malaysia Vice President, YBhg. Dato’ Mahsun Taib determined the winners.

All the entries are being displayed at the Ministry of Tourism Art Gallery in Precinct 5, Putrajaya.

BACKGROUND ON 1MALAYSIA CONTEMPORARY ART TOURISM FESTIVAL

Held for the third consecutive year, the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival was initiated in 2010 to diversify Malaysia’s tourism product offerings and establish Malaysia as a reputable destination for art aficionados in the region to enjoy and acquire contemporary art, with museum-quality pieces in line with the theme “Malaysia, Your New Art Tourism Destination.”

The event, with a series of nationwide art-related events organized from July to September, serves as a platform to promote Malaysian artists and artworks to a global audience as well as to discover, groom and launch the careers of young Malaysian artists.

The first 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival in 2010 recorded 42,000 visitors and about RM14 million in art sales throughout the three-month festival from July to September. One of the most significant turn of events during the festival was the success of the Henry Butcher Art Auction, a first in Malaysia, which recorded sales of RM1.7 million in a single afternoon with 90% of the works sold.

The following year, the Henry Butcher Art Auction registered total sales of over RM3 million, while in 2012, total sales was RM4.1 million, proving that apart from a growing interest in collecting Malaysian artworks, the secondary art market for Malaysian artworks is well and truly on the rise as well.

For more information, contact Mr. Ramzi Abu Yazid, Sr. Deputy Director (Advertising Division, Tourism Malaysia) at 603 8891 8702 or email ramziabuyazid@tourism.gov.my.

Issued by: Communications & Publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia
Tourism Infoline: 1300-88-5050
Tel: +603 8891 8000; Fax: +603 8891 8788
Email: anisramli@tourism.gov.my
Website: www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/friendofmalaysia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tourismmalaysia
Blog: http://blog.tourism.gov.my/