LANGKAWI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The cluster of torch ginger flowers, a plant once nurtured by his late mother, became a source of inspiration for artist Hashim Man in creating a piece for display at the ‘Ilustrasi Botani: Rasa Alam’ programme at the Balai Seni Negara (BSN) here.
Hashim, also a writer under the pen name Ubi Marchino, said that reflecting on memories with his mother motivated him to produce this work for the exhibition, which runs from today until July 31.
The artist from Kuala Lipis, Pahang, whose works have been displayed at the Members Only Exhibition at BSN as well as an art programme in rural Bakun, Sarawak, said his painting of the torch ginger flower, titled 'Penyeri Rasa', was created using acrylic on paper.
"When BSN invited me to participate in this programme, I was also drawn to the term 'Rasa Alam' because I am a nature tour guide, and thus the theme resonates deeply with me," he said when met at BSN today.
Another artist, Dr Zaimie Sahibil from Sabah, said that the lime, or Citrus Aurantifolia, was the subject of his artwork, which was created using watercolour on paper.
"This programme, to create art work in real time, is very interesting, and I would like to suggest that in the future, it be conducted on-site so that the works created are more detailed and accurate.
"Perhaps it could involve individuals beyond just artists, such as village midwives, as they are more familiar with plants that are beneficial for traditional medicine. They can help explain their medicinal benefits. Sometimes, they have more expertise because this knowledge is passed down through generations," said the Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Arts and Creative Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
The works of Hashim and Zaimie are among 24 botanical illustrations on paper that are being showcased, along with two sculptures and two AR animations, at BSN here.
Meanwhile, BSN director-general Amerrudin Ahmad, while viewing the botanical illustrations, said that 14 artists, including sculptors, painters and lecturers from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), were invited to contribute to the Botanical Illustration Camp: Rasa Alam Programme.
“They met and exchanged ideas on understanding and interpreting the importance of herbs in the island's environment in visual form,” he said.
He added that this programme is part of BSN's mission to promote and disseminate knowledge about botany, while also strengthening awareness about biodiversity conservation and the importance of flora in the ecosystem and cultural heritage.
-- BERNAMA
