Thursday, October 23, 2008

FRIDAY-24 OCTOBER 2008- RM10 MLN TO BUILD ART GALLERY COMPLEX

RM10 mln to build Art Gallery Complex


KOTA KINABALU:


The Government has allocated RM10 million to build the Sabah Art Gallery complex at the former site of the State Welfare Services Department adjacent to the Standard Chartered Bank in the City. State Cultural Board General Manager Rusman Abdullah said the project would be implemented next year. Development plan of the gallery will be based on the colonial-style model of the original building that was razed to the ground several years ago, he said at the presentation of prizes to selected artworks here in conjunction with the Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah’s 62nd birthday celebration. Ahmadshah presented the prizes to the winners. Also present at the presentation ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Sen Panglima Yahya Hussin, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Art Gallery Director DatukYaman Mus and other officials. Rusman, who heads the SubCommittee of the Mini-exhibition and Prize Presentation 2008, said the State Cultural Board would be in a better position to promote the works of local artists through exhibition and sales promotion. The artworks of local artists are becoming popular to both domestic and foreign tourists, he said. Rusman said the Gallery had collected 2,500 pieces of artworks since the event was introduced 23 years ago in 1985. This year, the Gallery received 163 entries for three categories of selected artworks from 155 participants. Rusmàn said from next year onwards, the Sabah International Folklore Festival would be held as an annual event in July. “We have been holding the Sabah International Folkore Festival once in three years since 2001. It will be held as an annual event from next year, and we will also introduce the folk artists with participation of foreign countries,” he said. Abdulla Akop from Kudat was declared the winner of this year’s main Annual Selected Artworks Award that carries a cash prize of RM3,000 and a certificate. Abdulla’s entry in the open category entitled “Ku Temui Di Kaki Gunung” is a replica of a grasshopper made from iron rods. The other winners are Chrisna Pindah, Ishak Salehuddin, Jamal Amambing, Chong Yee Leong, Charles Mawan, Marlin Janius, Maduni Majidin, Daiman Bona, Ahita Dee Majanil and Muhammad Amin Muhidin. In the Secondary School category, each of the winners received RM300 cash and certificate. They are Yong Xiong Ling, Wong Shi Han, Chan: Jin Seng, Sack Tin Lim, Lo Ming Lai, Lo Cheau Li, Deanna Lau Silk Lin, Lai Chui Ye, Wah Yan Erl and Terrysia Thadens Joh. The winners in the lower Secondary School category are Wong Wai Loon, Fong Yun Ge, Lim Xing Ying, Chang SyYing, ChanPei Ying, LeongYewVui, Lau Sil Hong, Leong Ruoh Yuan, Lau Yee Kee and Margeret Loo Ming Yen. Each of them received RM200 cash prize and a certificate.