Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 Hosted By The National Art Gallery

Kuala Lumpur, 23 November 2017 – Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017, a game changer in the visual art scene in Malaysia is scheduled to be held and exhibited to the public beginning 1st November 2017.

The exhibition, foreseen to stamp its presence in history as a new platform in the progression of the visual arts scene in Malaysia, will see a curatorial team appointed to lead the Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 by its host, the National Art Gallery.

The team is led by Professor Zulkifli Yussof, an academician who is also an experienced local and international Malaysian Artist together with the curatorial team from the National Art Gallery namely Faizal Sidik, Tan Hui Koon and Baktiar Naim.

The combination of inspired young curators is aimed to successfully uphold the main theme; BELAS (BELOVED) of the Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017.

Kuala Lumpur Biennale exhibition encompassing its BELAS theme celebrates 114 individuals from across continents, consisting of 103 artists from Malaysia and 11 international artists.

Local prolific artists who has expressed and showcased their art across the era will display their work in this year’s installation and they include, Awang Damit Ahmad, Sharmiza Abu Hassan, Bibi Chew Chon Bee, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Jeganthan Ramachandran, Hayati Mukhtar, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Shooshie Sulaiman, Noor Azizan Paiman, H.H Lim, K Thangarajoo, Lisa Foo, Abdul Muid Abdul Latif, Saiful Razman, Anniketyni Madian and more.

Apart from that, BELAS will also exhibit memories of Belasungkawa or unsung heroes of local artists that has uplifted Malaysian arts to national level which consist of Syed Ahmad Jamal, Nirmala Shanmughalingam, O Don Peris and Anthony Lau.*

In conjunction with the exhibition, Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 has in plan several supporting programs and inputs for the audience and art enthusiast to come and join in this national event.**

The opening ceremony of Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 is officiated by YB Dato’Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia at the National Art Gallery on 23rd of November 2017,Thursday at 12.30 pm. Kuala Lumpur Biennale is open to the public on the 1st of November 2017 until the 30th March, 2018. The entrance is free.

 

For any inquiries, please contact:

Issued on behalf of National Art Gallery by:

S&L Integrated Public Relations Sdn Bhd
Leon Tang                                                    Wantha Anatasya
Operations Officer                                      Senior Brand Executive
T: +6016 448 2488                                      T: +6018 296 8119
E: leontang@slpr.com.my                         E: wantha@slpr.com.my

 

National Art Gallery

Adina Quraisa                                               Hafiz Osman
T: +6012 3986846                                          T: +6012 6927502
E: pr.artgallery@1govuc.gov.my                 E: hafiz.artgallery@gmail.com


About the National Art Gallery Malaysia

National Art Gallery was established in 1958 by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The National Art Gallery is a renowned and oldest art gallery in the South East Asia, holding the earliest collection of modern art in the South East Asia.

Press Release Sculpturing is Meditative By Chin Wan Kee

KUALA LUMPUR – National Art Gallery (NAG), brings you Sculpturing is Meditative By Chin Wan Kee: Select Works 1997-2017’ exhibition, displaying 50 sculptures, a special survey show by one of the country’s handful of veteran sculptors specializing in bronze casting. Chin Wan Kee who is currently attached to a prestigious private institution as an art educator. As a sculptor, one of his prominent sculpture entitled Unity and Harmony, proudly graces an area of National Art Gallery garden since year 2000.

According to the sculptor “Sculpturing is meditative. It seizes me and gets me in a position to experience the truth and the freedom in life. Sculpturing is also a booster that continues to arouse and rush myself into exploring the roots of my own identity. Ultimately, the conceivable direction leads me to a deeper understanding of the fundamental nature of human kind and their intrinsic values”.

The exhibition is being curated by Tan Sei Hon, will features selected works from a few series produced over the course of 2 decades as well as new works. It offers a unique look at the human form reflecting the artist’s thoughts on life and humanity and the direction it has evolved over the years. Besides marking a personal milestone for the 55 year old artist, the exhibition aims to pay a tribute to fellow sculptors, other art practitioner and patrons for their support while introducing the artist and this art form to a whole new generation of art lovers and practitioners.

The inauguration will be held on 12th October 2017 at 3.00pm and will be officiated by YBhg. Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin, Former Chairman of National Art Gallery at  Creative Space 3, National Art Gallery. The exhibition on view from 7th October 2017 until 30th October 2017 at Creative Space 3, National Art Gallery. Admission is free.

Launch Of Artespree

KUALA LUMPUR – ArteSpree, an online art platform from Malaysia, focuses on bringing together the art community. While its operations will focus mainly in its homeland Malaysia, ArteSpree welcomes the participation of art lovers, artists, galleries and collectors from around the world. Its mantra is to democratize art through building awareness and access to greater audiences, starting from Malaysia and then to the world. Art in all forms have a story to tell and ArteSpree hopes to tell it and share it with the world.

Art is a form of common language that transcend borders. The same piece of art may bring together a common yet localized perspective of the same matter. Art and culture connects and brings unity among different nations, something that binds people together.

The second highlight of the day would be the WED Malaysia purpose. Mi-Ki Choong is currently the Global Ambassador Malaysia for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) held in United Nations, New York in November. WED is a global initiative with the mission to celebrate, support and empower women in business to alleviate poverty. Her role is to think global, act local. ArteSpree is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project under Centurise Group which Mi-Ki Choong developed to assist the local art community to be highlighted in WED, United Nations. In order to support and empower women, the entire art community must be assisted as a whole.

Specifically for women ambassadors gracing this event, their presence not only highlights the importance of women in leadership positions, but also showcase the successes of women in contributing to the world’s development ; may it be women in politics, women in leadership, women in entrepreneurship, to women in effecting change for the betterment in other women through inspirational role models, or for the betterment of the world as a whole.

The launch today is a collaboration between National Art Gallery (NAG) and ArteSpree, in promoting artworks on ArteSpree online art platform before, during and after the exhibition and is also part of the monetizing culture which is one of the initiatives taken by NAG, as we need to look at art as an asset rich component under the vision of the government of Malaysia to assist the art industry.

ArteSpree is a CSR project under Centurise Group, which has just recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NAG. The collaboration has successfully attracted additional participation and sign up of several local artists on ArteSpree platform. The Launch of ArteSpree at NAG marks the commencement of operations of ArteSpree online art platform for the art communities and general public. It is foreseen that many more local renowned and emerging artists are to participate and sign up to this platform subsequent to the Launch, which ArteSpree welcomes.

ArteSpree would also like to thank NAG for the collaboration to support the local art community and industry.
Unity through Art, Diversity through Inclusion, Participation from All to make a better tomorrow!

Young Art Entrepreneurs

YAE! is a programme offered to young artists to equip them with knowledge and skills to succeed in business.

By deepening their understanding on various aspects of art as a business, participants will be better able to build a desired career based on their ability, skill and talent.

The programme will also nurture participants in building their own business through “hands-on” learning experience within a well structured environment.

Objectives:

  1. To provide young artists with skills in entrepreneurship.
  2. To expose the young artists to opportunities available in the art industry through hands-on experience by learning under the tutelage of masters in the field.
  3. To offer the young artists with an opportunity to explore alternative sources of income as exemplified by successful artists and by capitalising on their passion for art and knowledge of entrepreneurship.
  4. To enhance the level of creativity among participants to help them produce more engaging and relevant art work.

YAE! comprises of two components which are entrepreneurship courses and artist studio residency.

Participants have the opportunity to explore and learn new ideas in building a competitive business model with the assistance of experienced coaches and mentors to enhance their skills in art and do business.

Participants will be placed in studio rooms at the Art Depot Container at the National Art Gallery, for 6 months, to ensure that entrepreneurs will be able to produce artworks with adequate knowledge for commercialisation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Applicants must be Malaysian Citizen and aged between 18-35 years.

Applicants are not bound by any form of contract (employment, scholarship).

Applicants must have produced at least 5 artworks for the past 2 years and have not been involved in any of the entrepreneurship programme organised by the Government.

Ready to commit in the full-time programme.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The applicant must send the completed entry form with the Portfolio and CV containing educational background, work experience (if any), and any involvement in art activities.

Each application must include the of artworks as reference. The attachment should be in a ‘Hi-Res’ (300dpi) PDF or JPEG format, complete with details of the artwork.

Application must be sent on or before 31st October 2017 to the following address:

Secretariat
Young Art Entrepreneurs
National Art Gallery,
No 2, Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak,
53200 Kuala Lumpur

or email to artgovernance@artgallery.gov.my

Important dates

  • Application: 25th September 2017 to 31st October 2017
  • Interview: November 2017
  • Admission to the studio: February 2018
  • Programme duration: February 2018 to July 2018

For more information, contact us at

artgovernance@artgallery.gov.my or call 03-4026 7178.

Application Form, Click here.

or fill it online at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3O0QG4fcQnE8nyafqYINsiDj7_FjLaMj0vXYnRr-ImrW4vg/viewform

Pameran Pelukis Kedah

Titik bermulanya perkembangan seni di Malaysia adalah hasil sumbangan perjumpaan, kumpulan dan persatuan-persatuan seni lukis yang pada asalnya untuk menghubungkan persahabatan, semangat ingin belajar, berpameran dan adakala atas matlamat perjuangan yang tertentu yang dipengaruhi dengan persekitaran dan keperluan pada masa itu. Perkumpulan dan persatuan ini kemudiannya berkembang dengan adanya sokongan penaung dan pemegang taruh (stake holder) yang ingin melihat ia menjadi sebahagian daripada pemangkin terhadap ketamadunan, baik secara sosial mahupun ekonomi. Kerjasama perkumpulan dan persatuan ini bersama pemegang taruh menghasilkan kemudahan dan sumber-sumber seperti bahan dan kelengkapan melukis malah hingga terwujudnya aset seperti bangunan pejabat, galeri-galeri dan muzium-muzium seni awam.

Kesungguhan dan kepercayaan pemegang taruh dan kerajaan negeri ini boleh dilihat dengan tertubuhnya Balai Seni di setiap negeri dalam Malaysia. Di negeri Kedah, tertubuhnya Balai Seni Negeri pada tahun 1983 adalah iltizam dari kumpulan pelukis dengan kepercayaan pemegang taruh serta penglibatan kerajaan negeri yang telah melihat kepentingan seni lukis sejak tertubuhnya Angkatan Pelukis Kedah (APK) pada tahun 1976.

Balai Seni Negara mengalu-alukan pameran ini sebagai menghargai sumbangan pelukis-pelukis dari negeri Kedah dan perjuangan APK yang telah masuk tahun ke-40 bersama-sama berkongsi visi dengan para pemegang taruh dan kerajaan negeri untuk membangunkan strategi yang bersesuaian kepada masyarakat dan pelukis ke arah tanggungjawab sosial, pertambahan pendapatan dan memapan ekonomi melalui industri seni.

APK mempunyai seramai 242 ahli yang terdiri dari pelbagai latar belakang. Pameran ini memilih 46 karya dari 46 pelukis dari keseluruhan 85 karya yang dihantar oleh 59 orang pelukis untuk disaring di Muzium Negeri Kedah. Pameran ini juga mempamerkan bersama-sama 12 karya pelukis kelahiran Kedah dari pelbagai jenis kategori seperti catan, arca dan seni video Himpunan Koleksi Negara dan koleksi persendirian.

Sepanjang 59 tahun Balai Seni Negara mengumpul, mempamer, mempromosi, memperkembangkan dan memelihara seni visual negara serta menjalankan peranan baharu ke arah mempergiatkan usaha pengukuhan ekonomi pelukis dan industri seni, ramai pelukis terkenal dan ternama telah muncul dari negeri Kedah ke peringkat negara dan antarabangsa. Seni lukis sebagai kelestarian kehidupan di Kedah tidak dapat dinafikan telah dimulakan oleh kumpulan ‘Pelukis Tiga Serangkai’ iaitu A.J. Rahman (1922-1995), A.B. Ibrahim (1925-1977) dan Saidin Yahya (1922-1988) pada tahun 1944 yang mempunyai studio atau galeri seni pertama di Pekan Rabu Alor Setar dengan nama ‘Warna Art Studio’.

Kemudian muncul pula pelukis-pelukis yang menyumbang kepada pembangunan seni melalui pendidikan dan wawasan pemikiran yang jauh kepada perkembangan seni negara dan “memetakan” Malaysia diperingkat antarabangsa, mereka ini telah memilih Kuala Lumpur dan luar negeri Kedah sebagai tapak perkembangan kerjaya mereka. Tokoh terkenal seperti Ismail Zain (1930-1990), Cheah Yew Saik (1939) telah mengasaskan institusi seni swasta, Ibrahim Hussein, Dato’ (1936-2009) yang menubuhkan muzium dan yayasan seni di Langkawi, Sharifah Zuriah Al Jefri (1938), Abdul Ghani Ahmad (1945), Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir Barakbah, Dato’ (1948), Amron Omar (1957), Shafie Hassan (1958) Zulkifli Yusoff (1962), Masnoor Ramli (1969), Aznan Omar (1973), Fauzul Yusri (1974) dan legasi ini diteruskan lagi oleh kemunculan pelukis muda seni kontemporari yang sedang meningkat naik seperti Mohd. Fazli Othman (1982), Khairul Zikri Abdullah (1982) dan Haafiz Shahimi (1986).

Ada dikalangan pelukis ini pula memilih untuk bertapak dan mempunyai studio di luar negara seperti Syed Azzudin Shahabudin (1933) di Hamburg (Jerman), Khoo Sui Hoe (1939) New York (USA), Eng Tay (1947) New York (USA), Siti Mariah Jackson (1953) Illinois (USA), Mutalib Mann (1950) London (UK) dan Ahmad Fuad Othman (1969) Bali (Indonesia).

Walau bagaimanapun pelukis-pelukis yang memilih untuk terus berkarya di negeri Kedah juga sangat prolifik malah sentiasa dinanti-nantikan kemunculan mereka di galeri-galeri di ibu negara seperti Anuar Rashid (1958), Fong Kim Sing (1949), Anassuwandi Ahmad (1967) dan Rohizad Shaari (1969). Begitu juga ahli APK lain yang sentiasa produktif dalam menghidupkan aktiviti seni mereka hingga ke daerah-daerah. Mereka giat berpameran di peringkat negeri dan negara malah menyertai pameran dan acara di luar negara. Pelukis-pelukis mapan APK ini seperti Hj. Judin Ahmad (1953), Osman Saidin (1949), Zahid Othman (1961), Siti Mariah Jackson (1953), Ramli Harun (1955), Lau Wai Fong (1944) (asal Teluk Intan, Perak bermastautin di Alor Setar, Kedah), Loo Hooi Ghee (1962), Loo Hoi Nam (1965), Linda Ong (1974), Jamaludin Abd. Rahman (1962), Salleh Dawam (1952) (asal Johor bermastautin di Langkawi) dan Ahamad Fauzi Hassan (1959) (asal Perak bermastautin di Alor Setar) sekadar menyebut beberapa nama sentiasa mendapat perhatian peminat seni dan melibatkan diri dalam pelbagai aktiviti seni.

Persatuan pelukis di negeri-negeri penting kerana bukan sahaja mereka terus melukis tetapi menjadi jambatan atau penghubung kepada masyarakat sama ada di muzium atau galeri negeri, pusat tumpuan awam, sekolah dan institusi pendidikan dengan aktiviti pameran dan pertandingan, malah di kampung-kampung atau tempat tumpuan pelancongan dengan aktiviti yang semakin mendapat sambutan ketika ini iaitu melukis di lapangan atau lebih popular dengan istilah Perancis “plein-air”.

Diharapkan pameran ini akan mendedahkan dan mempertemukan pelukis-pelukis APK dengan pelukis-pelukis terkenal kelahiran Kedah, para penggiat dan peminat seni serta membuka ruang baharu dalam perkembangan dan pembangunan seni lukis di tanah air.

Amerrudin Ahmad
Kurator

Press Release Merdeka : Unity & Diversity Exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR – National Art Gallery (NAG), brings you Merdeka: Unity & Diversity Exhibition, displaying 60 artworks by 22 local artists, centered on the accumulation of Malaysians ‘experiences and nostalgic of the past as well as artists’ new findings of the present ranging from representational, expressionism, folk art with figurative as a subject matter presented in the show. The exhibition is also to express the meaning of Merdeka through inspired artworks by artists from different age, gender, race and backgrounds. The exhibition will also been showcased in Johor Bahru where it will be exhibited at Warisan Johor Foundation, followed by exhibition at KOMTAR, Penang and SACC Mall Shah Alam in order to share with everyone the spirit of independence, unity and diversity.

The exhibition is a collaboration between NAG together with Infinity Logistics & Transport Sdn Bhd – Asian asset based Logistics Company and this exhibition is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Project to help local artists concurrently celebrate the nation by promoting unity and diversity via art.

The inauguration will be held on 8th August 2017 at 2.30pm and will be officiated by

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul AzizMinister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia at Creative Space 3, National Art Gallery.

The exhibition on view from 5th August 2017 until 31st August 2017 at Creative Space 3, National Art Gallery. Admission is free.

Turning Artists Into Entrepreneurs

Turning Artists Into Entrepreneurs

The image of a solitary artist painting on a canvas in a quiet secluded studio, oblivious to the business world that revolves around him, is about to change. At the Malaysian National Art Gallery (Balai Seni) a “movement” is underway, initiated by its Director General, to transform that image by involving artists more actively in business, ultimately turning them into art entrepreneurs.

A small group of dedicated staff assisted by a team of professionals is forging ahead with a new found mission to turn visual artists into entrepreneurs. As a first step, Balai Seni recently acquired twelve used shipping containers. They are parked at the rear entrance of the gallery and have been repainted in bright colors, refurbished, air-conditioned and aesthetically stacked, to house seven young artists, handpicked to pioneer this bold venture to change the mindset of visual artists to make them more business savvy.

Origin

This is a lifelong dream of its Director General, Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Najib who is a self-made entrepreneur himself, before venturing into academia and eventually helming the National Art Gallery.

As a young artist who once struggled to make a living from peddling batik paintings on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, he confessed that he and his colleagues who started selling their wares in front of Wisma Yakin and later at Pasar Seni in 1980s, would be better off in their careers, had they been adequately exposed to some knowledge on how to run a business.

He said, “As artists, we had no idea about forming a company, prepare a business plan, or roll out a marketing strategy, much less apply loans from financial institutions!”

Disillusioned with dwindlingg sales in his batik paintings during the recession of the 1990s, he abandoned street life and made his way to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), to study fine art. Later, he pursued his master’s and doctorate overseas and was subsequently appointed Dean of the School of Fine Art at USM.

“Regrettably”, he said, “fine art schools, locally and abroad only focus on teaching techniques without adequately preparing their students to enter the business world”.

As a result, he added, “Many of our visual art graduates are not as successful as they should be!” He cited several cases of graduates who moonlighted between tedious day jobs, for instance working as waiters in cafes, in order to pursue their passion for art. Yet they are other talented artists who have unfortunately sacrificed their chosen profession for their entire life, to work in unrelated fields, just to survive.

Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Najib is determined to convert as many ordinary visual artists, as he possibly can, into business savvy individuals. He wants them to be able to sustain themselves and profit from their chosen vocation.

He is not alone in trying to realize this dream. The gallery’s board of directors is equally committed to assist young artists by giving them an opportunity to attend this Bootcamp-cum-residency at Balai Seni, and equipping them with necessary skills to thrive in an economy that is now becoming more accommodative towards visual artists.

Young Art Entrepreneurs (YAE)

To help him attain his goal he formed a “Young Art Entrepreneur” subcommittee of the board, made up of professionals and executives from Balai Seni, headed by Johan Ishak, the CEO of MyCreative Ventures. This committee too is equally sold on the idea that visual artists should be trained to sustain themselves and profit from their careers with appropriate exposure in entrepreneurial skills.

The committee deliberated at great lengths on approach and methodology for selection and training of participants. They settled for a five day intensive Bootcamp followed by a six-month residency with the artists housed in cabins parked on the gallery rounds. Not wanting to be overly aggressive in this first ever venture, the committee chose only seven candidates from a list of applicants obtained through social media advertising, to undergo Bootcamp training starting 17th July, 2017.

Bootcamp

The training prospectus, distributed to participants, describes it as “an introductory course on entrepreneurship that focuses on required skills needed to succeed as an entrepreneur in visual art”.

Mindful that participants, who may be unaccustomed to entrepreneurship, the Bootcamp is designed to acquaint them with basic understanding of the fundamentals of sustainability and profitability in visual art, including exposure to strategic planning, bookkeeping, finance, business law, sales and marketing.

The Bootcamp too, offers participants an opportunity “to learn how to utilize creativity in business innovation and career development by changing their mindset from that of an artist towards becoming more of an entrepreneur”.

The Prospectus indicates that throughout the six month residency period, participants would be guided by dedicated mentors and experienced coaches to develop required mindset, knowledge, understanding and specific skills needed to smoothen their transition as an ordinary artist to becoming more of an entrepreneurr in visual art.

It further suggests that by the end of the six month, participants are encouraged to “choose whether they want to be an art professional or an owner of an art business or a combination of both”.

Mentors and Trainers

During the forty contact hours of Bootcamp training, the Young Art Entrepreneur committee members and invited guest speakers interacted with participants and freely shared their entrepreneurial experience.

On the very first day, Johan Ishak introduced the concept of business planning and showed participants what investors expected to see in the Business Plans of potential applicants, including the young artists themselves who might, someday, turn to MyCreative Ventures or any financial institution   for loans or investments.

Later, Low Ngai Yuen, President of Persatuan Kaki Seni followed with a two-hour intensive workshop to change mindset of participants to become more positive towards entrepreneurship and in developing their own personal branding strategies.

Another committee member Winston Peng, from Vedas Art and President of National Arts Symposium who has devoted a great deal of his time researching on the Malaysian art scene, spoke on the nation’s Art Ecosystem and showed our young artists the importance of their roles, as key players, in the nation’s art industry.

The fourth committee member Sheikh Taufiq, a Corporate Adviser shared his experience on fundraising and examined how grant agencies, angel funders as well relevant stakeholders might be able to assist our art entrepreneur source funds for their business.

The committee members are supported by other independent entrepreneurs. Among them is Dato’ Bruce Umemoto who hails from California and is now a resident in Kuala Lumpur. His entrepreneurial skills helped Melaka attract a large American manufacturer of solar panels to establish a production facility in the state. He showed participants the importance of business planning and why they need to be entrepreneurial to succeed in any venture. An avid photographer himself, Dato’ Bruce shared with participants his passion for photography and what motivated him to follow his dreams.

Another speaker is Mohamed Jafni aka Mat Jepp who is a respected man in the video and film industry, spoke to the artists on the importance of web presence and how to circumvent a variety of problems to sell online. He illustrated his talk with a variety of video clips that captivated audience and drives traffic to his site.

But most daunting of all, for the young artists, is accounting and taxes. Syakirah Hanim, a chartered accountant, who is pursuing a degree in Master of Finance, helped alleviate their fear and advised them on how to budget to set aside funds for the tax man.

A private investment adviser Jeshida Kamal had a long chat with participants on how to reach high net worth individuals in the country through her network. While Melissa Low from MyCreative Ventures and her two colleagues welcomed participants to exhibit their creative pieces at the upcoming Riuh in August and September that will feature pop-up stores, creative workshops and live performances.

Residency

After the Bootcamp, participants will be able to further deepen their understanding of business planning, budgeting, basic bookkeeping, financial management, contract negotiation and fund raising, by completing hands-on exercises or prepare papers for submission to relevant authorities.

For instance, they will be required to apply for grants to finance their own specific projects. They will also be encouraged to apply for residency overseas to gain international exposure. In both cases their assigned mentors would assist them in preparing their curriculum vitae, an artist statement, mission, vision and budgets for submission. They would also get a chance to rehearse their pitching techniques to perfection.

During the same period, they will be guided to form their own sole proprietorship, register a brand at the Malaysian Intellectual Property Office (MyIPO), open a bank account, practice controlling their expenses, keep proper records using a pre-prepared computer application that will ultimately prove handy when it comes to filing for taxes in the following years.

To those who are already accustomed to business, these may sound basic. But for the young art novices, these concepts are indeed new. Throughout the Bootcamp, they questioned their mentors as to why they needed to register a company when they have been selling their creative work without one? Or why they would need a brand to promote themselves? Or why they would have to open a bank account, if they could transact in cash? Or even why they should bother paying taxes, since they were merely small time artists, earning merge incomes?

Changing Mindset

Over five days of intensive lectures and discussion, coaches managed to change the mindset of these artists and reorient them towards becoming more business savvy. At the end of five days they were convinced that they would need those tools to get ahead as an artist-cum-businessmen who are expected to conduct their activities responsibly and ethically in Malaysian society or elsewhere in the world.

They are now eager to prepare their creative art work using their basic knowledge of project planning that will allow them to be ready in time for various events and shows that they have committed themselves to, from August to end of December 2017 and far into 2018.

With knowledge gained from Bootcamp alone, they are now ready for Riuh organized by MyCreative Ventures in August and September, the Malaysian Art Expo in October, an exhibition at Balai Seni Creative Space in December and a charity auction of their creative pieces in January 2018.

Also, on their own initiative, the team has secured an invitation to hold a team exhibition in the Maldives during first quarter of 2018. They are already busy getting organized putting to good use tools acquired, to prepare for the exhibition.

Feedback

Feedback from participants thus far, is very positive. At the end of the Bootcamp, Jesicca Kuok (23) who graduated with a diploma in Fine Art from the Malaysian Institute of Art, reechoed the wish of the Director General when she said, “I came into this course with zero knowledge but after only five days I have learnt so much on how to do business, as an artist!” She had never taken any course in management previously and had no knowledge of business planning and marketing strategy. Prior to the Bootcamp, Jesicca had obtained a research grant to study cross-cultural art. Now she is confident of getting more awards simply because she has discovered a better way of writing for funds and an effective method of pitching before a panel of judges.

To Afiq Othman aka “Bob Sopan” (29) a graduate of UiTM, the course is an eye opener where business planning is concerned. He is now able to prepare a business plan to upgrade his studio in Tanjung Malim. A friendly donor had promised a substantial fund for the purpose, on condition that Afiq submitted a business plan. He has been delaying the submission for almost a year because he does not know where to begin. The Bootcamp is his life line. “Now I can submit my proposal!” says Afiq with a sigh of relief. “I kept postponing month after month, because I just didn’t know how to write one!”

On the other hand, Teh Nadirah (27) who has a Master in Fine Art, the Bootcamp and the design of the course is far superior compared to all courses she followed on campus. She said she did take some components of entrepreneurship at the university but this Bootcamp is more practical. “This course is true to life. I can apply everything I learned immediately. And it is specifically focused on visual art. The entrepreneurship course on campus was very general, without any connection to visual art, at all! I certainly appreciate the caring attitude of our instructors. They are so helpful….!”

Meanwhile, Fong Yeng Yeng (22), when asked to pitch, responded  “Wow, I was so nervous! I have never spoken on camera before! I became more relaxed only after I was advised to take three deep breaths and to read the script that the professor, at our Bootcamp, wrote for me. Now, I know, next time, when I have to speak on camera I will write the speech first and breathe deeply before I talk, to stop from shaking!” She is excited about having her own small business with her own logo that she could put on her paintings and use the opportunity given by Balai Seni to show to the world her creative skills. “I cannot wait to participate in exhibitions planned for us!”

Another participant is Ahmad Fikril (24) who is dyslexic finds the Bootcamp challenging at first because he takes a longer time to read and understand materials handed out in class. However, he says the Bootcamp is “enjoyable” because for the first time in his life he is exposed to business management in simple clear language. “Before this course I knew next to nothing about business. I only knew how to draw. But now I understand what the Balai Seni is trying to do. I think they want us to know that we can go very far in art business with the help we get from instructors and mentors here! I also enjoyed listening to speakers who are all very knowledgeable”. He added that he would be able to do better in business once he has registered a company, print his own calling cards and create a brand for himself that will be trademarked with Malaysian Intellectual Property Office. “Basic accounting skills I learned in class will also help me prepare accounts…for myself and for taxes, required by Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (Internal Revenue Board)”

Fikril’s close friend, Muhammad Farhanshah Mohd. Zaini (23) who is one year his junior recently graduated from UiTM felt that the Bootcamp is “very good and will certainly open not only my mind but will show me how to make my plans more systematic. In fact, after the Bootcamp, I am more confident about participating in art business. I have made up my mind that after my residency here, at Balai Seni I would like to venture overseas to do shows in Abu Dhabi, Maldives and elsewhere!”

Last but not least is Abdul Mohsin bin Aminuddin (30) who initially wanted to know how to venture into the interior design business, got more than what he bargained for when he enrolled in the Bootcamp and made a commitment to be on site at the Young Art Entrepreneur camp for six months. He was only interested to sell his work directly to hotel owners instead of going through interior design companies that were excessively profiteering from his creative effort. But he found friendship and although the oldest he was able to fit into the team quite easily. “The Bootcamp offered us an insight into how to better run our art business!” He felt that in just forty hours he was exposed to many ideas that could make him a better businessman. “I have accepted the offer to participate in the Young Art Entrepreneur because I know I can use it as a launching pad to better promote myself in the art industry. Some may not see this opportunity but for those willing to put in the extra effort, the returns will be tremendous!”

Conclusions

Has the Bootcamp changed the mindset of these young artists? Would they become art entrepreneurs by end of January 2018 when they complete their residency at Balai Seni? Can the Director General now take credit for having converted this pioneering group into entrepreneurs?

Only time will tell. But for now, the words of these artists have partly proven Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Najib’s contention that visual artists could go further and will likely become more successful when they are given some entrepreneurial skills and provided with basic tools in business management.

In fact, compared with those unfortunate ones who entered the art business world without any entrepreneurial skills, the seven Young Art Entrepreneur participants are indeed better prepared to face future challenges in the market place.

Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Najib and his colleagues at the Balai Seni may want to congratulate themselves for initiating this movement, knowing full well that these seven young artists have shown us that they have seen the value on the need to be more business savvy in their chosen profession.

That they have also seen the reasons for changing their mindset and stepping out of the quiet confines of their own studios to be actively involved in the business world and participate meaningfully in the nation’s goal to develop our very own art industry.

Obviously, we can safely conclude that it is almost impossible to turn ordinary artists into entrepreneurs overnight or make them into businessmen in six short months. But as demonstrated, you can successfully impart knowledge on business management over forty contact hours to help ordinary artists to

Improve themselves and learn to conduct their business more effectively and systematically.

 

Dr. Abdul Rahim Said
Business Coach and Mentor,
Young Art Entrepreneur,
National Art Gallery (Balai Seni)
Kuala Lumpur
31st July, 2017

Siaran Media Young Art Entrepreneurs (YAE!) di Balai Seni Negara

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Julai 2017– Young Art Entrepreneurs (YAE!) merupakan sebuah program baru anjuran Lembaga Pembangunan Seni Visual Negara (LPSVN) yang diperkenalkan bagi menyediakan platform kepada pelukis muda untuk memperlengkapkan diri dengan ilmu pengetahuan dan kemahiran untuk menjadikan mereka usahawan seni yang berdaya saing di dalam industri seni kreatif Negara.

Antara objektif utama program YAE! adalah untuk melatih pelukis muda  dalam bidang seni dengan kemahiran keusahawanan, memberi pendedahan dan tunjuk ajar secara hands-on oleh Konsultan Keusahawanan, Pelukis Jemputan, dan Kurator Jemputan. Terdapat juga penglibatan dari Kolektor Seni dan Pemilik Galeri, yang akan memberi pendedahan kepada mereka mengenai industri seni bagi meningkatkan kreativiti peserta dalam menghasilkan karya yang menarik yang mampu memenuhi kehendak pasaran dan membina perniagaan seni secara tersusun.

Melalui program ini, seramai 7 orang pelukis muda telah dipilih iaitu Jessica Kuok Beng Lin, Foong Yeng Yeng, Abdul Mohsin Aminuddin, The Nadirah Hamdan, Ahmad Fikril Haniff Shahruddin dan Muhammad Farhan Shah Mohd Zaini, yang akan ditempatkan di Art Depot atau kontena yang berada di Balai Seni Negara sepanjang program ini berlangsung dengan menghasilkan karya catan, cetakan dan arca. Program keusahawanan ini mengguna pakai konsep art incubator dan mengambil peluang economy of scale melalui amalan perkongsian sumber seperti kemudahan, teknologi, peralatan, dan kejurulatihan.

Kemuncak kepada program ini adalah sebuah pameran seni yang akan diadakan pada bulan Januari 2018 di Creative Space di Balai Seni Negara. Justeru itu,para pelawat boleh berkunjung ke Art Depot Balai Seni Negara untuk melihat dengan lebih dekat lagi proses penghasilan karya oleh para pelukis muda ini melalui YAE! dari jam 9.00 pagi sehingga 5.00 petang. Orang ramai dijemput hadir. Masuk adalah percuma.

Young Art Entrepreneurs

YAE! is a programme offered to Fine Art graduates to equip them with knowledge and skills to succeed in business.

By deepening their understanding on various aspects of art as a business, participants will be better able to build a desired career based on their ability, skill and talent.

The programme will also nurture participants in building their own business through “hands-on” learning experience within a well structured environment.

Objectives:

  1. To provide graduates, in Fine Art, with skills in entrepreneurship.
  2. To expose Fine Art graduates to opportunities available in the art industry through hands-on experience by learning under the tutelage of masters in the field.
  3. To offer graduates with an opportunity to explore alternative sources of income as exemplified by successful artists and by capitalising on their passion for art and knowledge of entrepreneurship.
  4. To enhance the level of creativity among participants to help them produce more engaging and relevant art work.

YAE! comprises of two components which are entrepreneurship courses and artist studio residency.

Participants have the opportunity to explore and learn new ideas in building a competitive business model with the assistance of experienced coaches and mentors to enhance their skills in art and do business.

Participants will be placed in studio rooms at the Art Depot Container at the National Art Gallery, for 6 months, to ensure that entrepreneurs will be able to produce artworks with adequate knowledge for commercialisation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Applicants must be Malaysian Citizen, aged between 20-30 years and are graduates of Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.

Applicants are not bound by any form of contract (employment, scholarship).

Applicants must have produced at least 5 artworks for the past 2 years and have not been involved in any of the entrepreneurship programme organised by the Government.

Ready to commit in the full-time programme.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The applicant must send the completed entry form with the Portfolio and CV containing educational background, work experience (if any), and any involvement in art activities.

Each application must include 5-10 images of artworks as reference. The attachment should be in a ‘Hi-Res’ (300dpi) PDF or JPEG format, complete with details of the artwork.

Application must be sent on or before 7th June 2017 to the following address:

Secretariat
Young Art Entrepreneurs
National Art Gallery,
No 2, Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak,
53200 Kuala Lumpur

or email to artgovernance@artgallery.gov.my

Important dates

  • Application: 19th April 2017 to 30th June 2017
  • Interview: July 2017
  • Admission to the studio: July 2017
  • Programme duration: July 2017 to December 2017

For more information, contact us at

artgovernance@artgallery.gov.my or call 03-4026 7178.

Press Release The Young Contemporaries Awards 2016

KUALA LUMPUR– National Art Gallery (NAG) are hosting the Young Contemporaries Awards 2016  a prestigious art competition for young Malaysian artists under the age of 40 that was first introduced and organized by the National Art Gallery (NAG) in 1974. It was founded by members of the NAG Exhibition and Purchasing Committee in the early 70s, consisted of Johan Ariff, Farid Wardi, Redza Piyadasa, Mat Yasser Juli, Joseph Tan, Zuraina Majid, Ismail Zain and TK Sabapathy. The NAG is proud that many who have participated in this competition have now become pivotal movers and established figures in the Malaysian visual art scene as well as abroad such as Tan Cheng Kuan, Zulkiffli Yusoff, Ponirin Amin, Zakaria Awang, Fauzan Omar, Jailani Abu Hassan, Hasnol Jamal Saidon, Hanim Khairuddin, Bayu Uotomo Radjikin, Ahmad Shukri Mohamed, Eng Hwee Chu, Kow Leong Kiang, Azizan Rahman Paiman, Susyilawati Sulaiman, Sharmiza Abu Hassan, Bibi Chew, Roslisham Ismail a.k.a Ise, Yap Sau Bin, Abdul Muthalib Musa, Azliza Ayob, Fazil Idris, Fuad Ariff, Umi Baizurah Mahir, Chan Kok Hooi and many more.

The Incentive Prize for the winner of the competition amounted to RM25, 000.00. While for the Jury Award RM 5,000.00 will be given to five selected winners. Since its inception, the Young Contemporaries Award had successfully identified and discovered numerous local talents from each generation by awarding and rewarding their creative expression in various visual art disciplines. The Young Contemporaries Award had served in many different ways- as a catalyst and give artists exposure to the public also as a stepping stone in their search for recognition and acceptance. A total of 62 participation for this year edition and 33 of them have been elected to pass the 2nd level screening. The winner will be announced during the official launching ceremony on 15 Mac 2017 at 1.00pm and will be officiated by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.

The Young Contemporaries Award Exhibition 2016 is open to the public from 6 February 2017 until 3 April 2017 at gallery 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. Admission is free.