Appreciating Penang through art

Ninety artists are currently showcasing their artwork at 20 galleries in Penang in conjunction with the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism (1MCAT) Festival. Their art pieces are on display at the galleries until different dates later this month for the festival which is themed ‘In-Sight Penang’.

Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah director Assoc Prof Hasnul Jamal Saidon said the artwork included sculptures, photographs and mixed media pieces. He said the festival provided the public the opportunity to view the works of these artists, some of whom are veterans.

“Penang is not only famous for good food, it is also a treasure trove of art as there are many good artists in the state,” Assoc Prof Hasnul said. The 20 participating galleries are Galeri Seni Mutiara, Equator Academy of Art’s gallery, Penang State Art Gallery, Galeri Art Point (Sunny Point Complex), Shaparel Art Studio, Galeri Kampung Nelayan, 3Quarters Studio, Penang Malay Art Gallery, Alpha Utara Gallery, Island Gallery, WAF Fine Art Gallery, Studio @ Straits: Straits Collection, Alyssa Galeri, Rozana’s Fine Art, The Gallery @ KDU Centre of Design Excellence, A2 Gallery, Galeri Adiwarna (School of the Arts, USM), Galeri 27 (School of the Arts, USM), Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah and AWAS artworks/artspace.

Come join us: (from left) Assoc Prof Hasnul, Wong and Penang State Art Gallery curator Haryany Mohamad showing the brochures on the month-long 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival

A three-day carnival is currently being held at the Penang Museum branch at 57, Macalister Road as part of the festival. The carnival, which ends tomorrow, features interactive public programmes such as talks, art workshops, art race and fun learning activities. It is held from 9am to 6pm. Admission is free.

Penang Town & Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said: “There are three free shuttle buses to ferry visitors from the museum branch to seven of the art galleries during the carnival.” For more information about the 1MCAT programmes, call 04-2622093 (info centre), 2610 058/2634941 (office), infoline: 1-300-88-5050, Nurul Ashikin/ Nurhafizah at 6534789 or Adlan Redzuan at 6532137 (Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM).

-thestar online.