Art is often not highly celebrated, especially in Asian countries. Though a wonder, its abstracts are often dismissed. However, the last half a decade has seen Sarawak growing towards art with more communities tied to the vision.
Art collective organisation HAUS KCH, established in 2016, has helped numerous artists grow through their programmes and communal events. Most recently, HAUS KCH is organising an exhibition ongoing until May 16, featuring four different artists from its studio-based creative residency programme.
With various workshops held in between, HAUS KCH is determined to help these artists execute their artistic vision. Speaking to programme producer and coordinator Syed Rusydie, the purpose of the exhibition ‘Temu¹’ is to celebrate four different artists and showcase its residency work.
“Each of these artists has taken two to six months in our art HAUS residency programme to execute the projects they had proposed to us,” he added.
The artists
Held at the HAUS’ building at Jalan Kwong Lee Bank City Square, Pending, the ‘Temu¹’ exhibition is not your average gallery. Using beyond the mainstream medium, these Kuching-based contemporary artists showcased their extraordinary artistic side.
At the end of the walkthrough of the four artists, there will be a realisation that Sarawak does produce hidden gems of talented artists.
The pandora begins with wood sculptor M Sahzy — who creates surreal sculptures from organic materials, mostly from the natural environment of the jungle. With the concept of knowing your roots, the unique element of his artwork is that it is alive.
The materials become the text and the sculptors become the story. Explaining his art pieces during the launch on April 16, M Sahzy said that once done with the work, he would return them back to the forest, where they belonged.
Walking further, and into curtains — there will be Joshua Teo’s installations in which he employs the use of technology fused with his passion for socio-environment. The installation features a new digital fabrication technique, creating a series of laser-cut, glimmering pieces.
Gahli Foster’s artwork is in the next adjoining space, separated by black curtains. Her pieces — abstract colours on plywood, an expression of her inner thoughts that guides the brush she holds. A dive into her art, the essence of it is either the beauty that lies within life or the pain that she felt.
At the end of the exhibition is artist Carface’s modern surrealism art. Self-taught, Carface works mainly on oil and canvas. He is inspired by science fiction, pop culture and Japanese animation (anime). The deep meaning of his artwork will keep one pondering and contemplating on life.
HAUS residency programme
A platform for artists to achieve their goals, the residency programme is unique as it becomes an avenue to realise dreams. At the end of the programme, the artists aboard will hold an exhibition to showcase the art they created throughout.
However, this programme is exclusive. According to Syed, there is an application process that involves pitching a proposal.
“These prospects will have to pitch how they want to use the space we provide. With the space, the artists can execute their own ideas.
It is a short-term programme where they are able to just focus on the outcome, which we then are able to facilitate,” he said.
As the programme coordinator, Syed will screen the applications, receive them, and then induct these artists into the building. “I’ll manage the communication between them. My team and I will guide them through their proposal if needed. Then we will give them a shoutout on social media.”
HAUS also helps these artists to organise an open studio, where outsiders can enter their studio to watch them work, and a workshop, where these artists will teach a skill and monetise from it.
Through the programme, HAUS helps take the pressure off the artist in terms of planning and organising. “We help them in terms of marketing. Ever since we started, we have helped various artists who are so talented. Many of them would only leave their artwork inside their room, probably due to personal self-esteem reasons, and it’s such a shame,” he added.
Importance of art
Through HAUS, and other art collective organisations — it is without a doubt there is a pool of talented artists in Sarawak. However, they are often ‘devalued’ due to society’s mindset that there is no future in art.
In 2014, the art collective community ‘9Lives’ campaigned for public artwork. Since then, murals have been popping up around local towns.
Syed said that the art scene in Sarawak was united at a grassroots level. “From our perspective at HAUS, we can see that the art scene is growing.”
Asked on the importance of art, Syed said art maketh a person human. “Art is not taught. It is experienced, and it is through this experience that you can learn and can communicate how you feel to others.The bigger picture is that, when you experience art, you are not alone. It is often something relatable”
To the co-founder of HAUS, in spite of the technological advances, art is what keeps people primal. “Everything about art is intellectual. You don’t have to explain it. You just need to experience it.”
Art enthusiasts can visit HAUS KCH’s Facebook or Instagram.
