Arts in Sabah
1. Wall Murals Hunting
Beautiful wall murals by Chong Ket Phin surround the Kudat Ferry Jetty, Pasar Besar Kudat and Kudat Town Board.
The Tamparuli Bridge is covered with traditional murals showcasing the bridge’s history & ethnicity in Tuaran.
SiennyLovesDrawing got welcomed & amazed by the beautiful Sabah under-the-sea murals by Binjai & Halim Batak at the arrival hall toilets of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).
As she was walking around KKIA, a colourful graffiti named “The Nature Mind of Landscape” painted by Kenji Chai was displayed at the entrance of Departure Hall KKIA. The graffiti reminds us how all of us must do more to protect Malaysia’s endangered species.
Besides that, SiennyLovesDrawing appreciates the great efforts by Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) & the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia to encourage a clean city by painting murals on public bins & toilets. A must-visit to Sinsuran & Bandaran Bin Murals.
SiennyLovesDrawing visited the murals walkway along Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu, which was created to celebrate 40 Years of Hospitality Excellence & Care in 2019. Then, she enjoyed lunch at Kwong Sup Ikan and was amazed by the 1st aquarium concept murals painted by Oka.studios.
During her Nordic-inspired dinner at Tana Restaurant, Toojou Hostel, she was impressed with the attractive interior murals and a big slide in the restaurant. Each hostel’s floors are dedicated to a key aspect of Borneo’s tribal mythology, oceans, animals, plants, food & slang. The hostel interior was created by Wilson Ng, whereas the outer building with a giant graffiti was painted by Kenji Chai.
2. Art Galleries
SiennyLovesDrawing visited G Wonder Khayalan Home Art Gallery, Kudat, owned by Mr Jainal, who believes in finding art in imperfect things. A highly recommended gallery to see.
Then, she visited the Sabah Art Gallery. A gallery that promotes the arts by local Sabahan artists. This gallery is the 1st green building in Sabah & also the 1st green public gallery in Malaysia using solar panels, rainwater, sensor movement light, dim light systems and more.
Besides that, SiennyLovesDrawing went to Universiti Malaysia Sabah to visit the Azman Hashim Gallery, a unique building architecture & design. Beautiful murals surround the Anjung Beria with a nice view overlooking the South China Sea from its rooftop.
3. Art Workshops
SiennyLovesDrawing met with Madam Agnes Angkung for the Litai art workshop at Bavanggazo Longhouse, a Rungus Longhouse in Kudat. She has made herself a pair of beautiful Litai earrings.
She has also met with Ms Emily Jeneble at Kg. Batu Lunguyan, Keningau for a bamboo weaving workshop. Ms Emily has helped the women’s community in the village to earn a living by making bamboo weaving art.
Met Christianne Goonting aka Tianne at Lavinia Private Art Gallery, Kota Kinabalu, for a beautiful mandala woven art workshop using recycled/upcycle materials (e.g., wooden chopsticks from takeaways & bread bag packaging). SiennyLovesDrawing got inspired by Tianne’s art passion for having recycling in mind when creating art.
Lastly, SiennyLovesDrawing had the opportunity to visit the Murut Cultural Centre in Tenom. She had the chance to wear the colourful Murut costumes, beating the gong 3 times at the entrance to show respect for the Murut’s custom Tuka-Tuka, blowpipe, Lansaran (also known as a trampoline) & learnt the history & cultures of Murut tribes.
SiennyLovesDrawing has explored more arts in Sabah. Read here for the full story, https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2022/07/26/arts-in-sabah/