AFTER MONSOON PROJECT: TERA-KOTA EXHIBITION BRINGS CONTEMPORARY ART CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE

KOTA BHARU, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The world of contemporary art is now engaging more closely with the public, as its reach extends beyond exhibition spaces in the federal capital to all corners of the country, exploring the true essence of Malaysia through the lens of art.

National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad said this approach is being realised through the After Monsoon Project: Tera-Kota exhibition, a collaboration between the National Art Gallery and Art Matters Trading, which runs from Oct 24 to 30 at Pantai Pulau Kundur here.

“To understand the true essence of Malaysia, we must go out and experience the reality of art and the culture of communities in every corner of the country,” he said when launching the After Monsoon Project: Tera-Kota Programme at the beach today.

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He said the concept of art is evolving through a site-specific approach, with works grounded in real locations and community life rather than being confined to conventional gallery spaces, in line with the changing times.

Themed ‘Tanah, Tubuh, Tapak’ which explores the relationship between humankind and the earth as a source of life and inspiration, Tera-Kota serves as a continuation of the earlier editions, After Monsoon 01 and 02, held in Tumpat in 2023.

On the selection of Pantai Pulau Kundur as one of the programme’s sites, Amerrudin said the area reflects the lives of both the artistic and fishing communities who depend on nature.

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He said the collaboration with the After Monsoon collective is a significant partnership in building artistic networks, adding that the project is not merely an exhibition but a dialogue that fosters a collective spirit and counters individualism in the art world.

“In addition to the exhibition, the programme also features a community art feast, or ‘bekwoh’, cultural performances, and the construction of a traditional ceramic firing facility, or ‘gok’, to be shared with the local community,” he said.

Meanwhile, programme director Azzaha Ibrahim said Tera-Kota carries a deep symbolic meaning — ‘terra’ refers to earth, while ‘kota’ represents the human social body, symbolising the connection between people and nature.

He said Pantai Pulau Kundur was an apt choice for the programme’s venue, as nearly 90 per cent of its residents are involved in traditional crafts such as batik, pottery and weaving, while also forming an active fishing community.

“This programme is not merely an exhibition but a space for interaction between artists, the community and students of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). When villagers see that even earth and clay can become works of art, it provides an art education that truly resonates with them,” he said.

Besides Pantai Pulau Kundur, three ceramic art residencies — in Kuala Kangsar (Perak), Karak (Pahang) and Langkawi (Kedah) — are also taking part in creating works based on the theme of earth, which will later be showcased collectively in a special exhibition in Kuala Lumpur this December.

-- BERNAMA