Liew signing on a commemorative structure to mark the Sabah Art Gallery’s 40th Ruby Jubilee 2024, and opening of the Jilin-Sabah International Children and Youth Online Art Exhibition 2023-2024.
KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Rakyat (GRS-PH) Plus Government is working very well, says Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.
The Sabah PH Chairwoman said this in response to a reporter’s question after officiating at the Sabah Art Gallery’s 40th Ruby Jubilee 2024 cum Jilin-Sabah International Children and Youth Online Art Exhibition 2023-2024 at the Sabah Art Gallery on Tuesday.
“Yes, we are working as a team in a concerted effort for the benefit of the people. I am not talking about the next State election. It is still far away.
“2024 will be a busy year for us. Right now, we focus on working on the ground to achieve our targets set for this year,” she said.
According to Liew, who is also Api-Api Assemblywoman, her focus for 2024 is on completing planned development projects in her kawasan (constituency) and other areas where the State’s tourism hotspots are located.
On GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali’s wish for the GRS-PH pact to continue in the next State polls, Liew said he has made a good suggestion.
“I find it useful when we work as a team to implement whatever activities, programmes or projects that concern the local community,” she said.
Earlier, in her address, the Minister stressed that the art industry has a great impact on cultural preservation, and it is also an important asset for the tourism sector.
“Through the works of talented artists, tourists are enlightened on the history, culture and traditions of a particular community.
“The Sabah Art Gallery has done a good job in holding programs or exhibitions to appreciate artists, old and new alike, as these are important to inspire the younger generation to continue their existing artistic journey,” she said.
Liew noted that last year, the Sabah Art Gallery collaborated with the Jilin People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries by holding a program called Jilin-Sabah International Children and Youth Online Art Exhibition. Of the 52 winners of the Competitive Art Exhibition, 25 are from Sabah who received prizes from the Minister.
“This is undoubtedly an invaluable cultural exchange that not only serves as a reminder of friendship, but also strengthens their relationship through art.”
Jilin is a province in China, and this program was held to celebrate the decade-old diplomatic relations between Sabah and Jilin (China), she said.
Congratulating the Sabah Art Gallery on reaching its 40th anniversary mark, the Minister said it has achieved a significant milestone since its establishment in 1984 by the late Datuk Mohd Yaman Ahmad Mus.
Paying tribute to the founder and former director, Liew said : “We appreciate the efforts made by Datuk Yaman who had sacrificed and contributed tremendously to the development of the Sabah art industry.
“The special Retrospective Exhibition on Datuk Yaman himself on July 18 all through October this year is to commemorate his struggle in the early years.
“True to his words, “Bring Art to the People”, the Sabah Art Gallery has preserved this principle by devising various initiatives so that art continues to be close not only to artists but also to our own community.
“It is my great hope that the Gallery continues to stand firm in line with its mission and vision, especially in efforts to dignify the art industry of the state of Sabah.”
Calling on the Gallery to always be ready and sensitive to current changes, and be strong, too, to face the challenges ahead, Liew said practising a work culture that is outside the norm, and thinking outside the box also need to be practised in order to get extraordinary results.
The Sabah Art Gallery also curated the ongoing solo exhibitions of two prominent artists – Richard Lim, a senior art teacher of Kian Kok Middle School, and Benedict Chong who specialises in painting the majestic Mount Kinabalu, showcasing a total of 143 artworks until March 24.
Also present were the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Josie Lai and Deputy Permanent Secretary II Alesia Sion, the Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary II Moira David, Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Dikin Musah, Sabah Art Gallery Director Sara Elisya Ahmad Shah, Sabah Cultural Board General Manager Mackey Apison and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Chief Executive Officer Thonny Chee.
