KUCHING: Sarawak has achieved another record in the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest Sarawak themed mural painting, measuring approximately 1,380 square metres.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah congratulated Absolute Cool Event and their strategic partnership with the ministry in accomplishing the feat.
“This is another exciting moment after my Ministry, in collaboration with RTM, entered the Malaysia Book of Records through the 76-hour non-stop ‘Bermukun’ performance last week,” he said in his speech delivered by his deputy Snowdan Lawan at the closing of the event.
Sarawak is known for its spectacular national parks and biodiversity as well as for its distinct arts and cultural identity; the amazing plethora of Sarawak culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals inspired the launch of this mural art initiative, he added.
“Mural art is known for its potential to create a collective thought space that can initiate dialogue around a subject or community issue through what it depicts.
“It has the power to capture the spirit of local communities by enhancing the community’s social consciousness and it expresses and communicates Sarawak’s glorious cultural identity,” he said.
Abdul Karim explained that they enlisted the help of student artists for this event in order to teach cultural appreciation and instill a more robust understanding and appreciation for significant historical elements in the development and progress of local communities.
“At the same time, urging them to seek diverse approaches to contribute to their heritage preservation,” he added.
He expressed his gratitude to the students of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Faculty of Built Environment & Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts and Universiti Teknologi MARA in Samarahan.
“I would also like to thank Swinburne University Sarawak Campus, UCSI University Kuching Campus, University of Technology Sarawak, and the Sarawak Society for the Deaf for their contributions to the completion of this mural project,” he added.
