Malaysia-Canada Indigenous Communities Applied Arts Exhibition
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Venues in Malaysia 2010-2016
Co-curators: Salmah Abu Mansor (Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) and Sam Carter, (EmilyCarrUniversity of Art and Design and Canadian Society for Asian Arts
The Malaysia-Canada Indigenous Communities Applied Arts Exhibition was held at the Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada exhibiting applied arts of the indigenous community.
First Nations artists-drummers welcome visitors to exhibition
Opening Ceremonies, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2012
The exhibition includes a diverse range of functional works including baskets, textiles, jewellery, mats, souvenirs, scarves, hats, bangles, musical instruments, toys, tools, etc.
The exhibition was organised by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts, the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Aboriginal Studies Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD) and supported by the Canadian and Malaysian governments.
A statement from the organisers sent to UKM News Portal today said the exhibition is the result of the joint collaboration of the co-curators, the Senior Research Fellow of KITA, Assoc Prof Salmah Abu Mansor and Sam Carter, Professor Emeritus-Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver who in Spring and Fall of 2011 had selected applied arts from indigenous communities across Malaysia and Canada.
The exhibition features indigenous design products representing both traditional designs as well as new innovative works.
Some of the products apply images of local flora and fauna using only natural materials with old and new tools. Other designs share stories and are expressive of design traditions within indigenous communities. Other objects explore new images and visual language combining old with new and local with global design influences.
This bi-lateral exhibition provides ideas for design and development of products to reach larger markets, maintaining standards of art, design and craft excellence. The exhibition also provides insights package design and promotion of creativity and innovation within indigenous communities in Malaysia.
( Place photo of opening ceremonies in Kuala Lumpur)
(Caption: Opening Ceremonies University of Malaysia, 2014)
The exhibition acknowledges and promotes excellence in creativity and production of applied arts from indigenous communities and partnerships from all aspects of national and international creative industries.
From Spring 2012 onward, the Malaysia-Canada Indigenous Communities Applied Arts Exhibition will travel to various States of Malaysia. The exhibition will be showcased in museums, community cultural centres and for conventions and special events in Malaysia.
The exhibition of both Malaysian and Canadian components including all artifacts, labels have been donated to University of Malaysia from Canadian Society for Asian Arts and Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Consul General of Malaysia to Vancouver, Mohd. Haniff Abdul Rahman said, at the opening of the exhibition “in addition to creating public awareness and giving credence and recognition to indigenous applied artists–designers, the exhibition has also elevated indigenous applied arts to an international level…It has also become an important instrument of bilateral relations in cultural diplomacy between Malaysia and Canada…In showcasing samples of their applied arts, a piece of their proud ancestral identity are therefore shared, appreciated, admired and celebrated with the rest of the world. Likewise, their identity and strong connection and attachment to mother earth and its elements are better understood and appreciated by others.”
Mohd. Haniff hoped the exhibition would mark a new chapter of collaboration and cooperation linking universities and museums in Malaysia with Canadian Society for Asian Arts and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Haniff noted that this collaboration in the field of arts and culture will expand to other organisations and institutes of higher learning and between both governments.
President and Vice Chancellor, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, (ECUAD) Vancouver, Dr. Ron Burnett; Canadian Society for Asian Arts (ECUAD), President, Dr. Jan Walls, Aboriginal Programme, ECUAD, Brenda Crabtree, Manager; Seri Malaysia Club, student volunteers and ECUAD Aboriginal Studies Programme-student volunteers were present at the launching in Vancouver.
Malaysia-Canada Indigenous Communities Applied Arts Exhibition
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