'KEMBARA UTARA' EXHIBITION IN KEDAH SHOWCASES NORTHERN ARTISTS

ALOR SETAR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The ‘Kembara Utara’ exhibition, showcasing works by artists from the northern region of the country, will be held at the Kedah State Art Gallery here from Jan 12 until May 11.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said the second edition of the exhibition, a collaboration between the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery (BNM MAG) and the Kedah State Museum Board, is part of a travelling art exhibition series that traces the pulse of art, history and culture of the Northern Region.

“In line with national development, it is important for us to prioritise and celebrate arts and cultural heritage. For BNM, the collection and display of these artworks form part of our efforts to understand and celebrate the cultural journey of our society.

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“Art should transcend geographical boundaries, social strata and generations as it can enrich thinking, strengthen identity and broaden the way we view the world,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Kembara Utara exhibition at the Kedah State Art Gallery here today.

The launch was officiated by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and was also witnessed by the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff.

Abdul Rasheed said Kedah was chosen as the exhibition venue as the state was rich in heritage, natural produce and traditions that had long served as a source of inspiration for artists, with the Northern Region being one of the important axes of the development of Malaysian art.

“From the padi fields of Kedah, the limestone formations of Perlis, traditional villages in Perak to the cosmopolitan spirit of Penang, this region possesses a strong visual identity, interwoven with its own textures, colours and narratives.

“Kedah has produced distinguished figures such as Ibrahim Hussein and Sharifah Fatimah with their abstract works, while Abdullah Ariff and Yong Mun Sen have captured the beauty of local landscapes such as tropical light, padi fields and the daily lives of the people,” he said.

The five-month exhibition, open from 9 am to 5 pm, will feature more than 80 works by artists from Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Penang, highlighting artistic narratives with socio-economic themes through landscapes, culture and economic development.

The exhibition also helps promote the nation’s art and cultural heritage to visitors, while providing the public with greater understanding of BNM’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s artistic heritage.

-- BERNAMA