Canvassing Malaysia as an art haven

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians may be able to admire world-renowned art pieces by Leonardo da Vinci and several other famous artists if efforts to bring their works here bear fruit. In a move to get the country recognised as an international art tourism destination, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said her ministry has begun discussions and would work with foreign government agencies and museums to bring in the works of artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso. “If major pieces of art are exhibited here, it will be an achievement for the people of Malaysia.

Special gift: Ch’ng presenting an art souvenir to Dr Ng after she launched the festival in George Town yesterday.

“There is no commitment yet as there are several risks involved, such as high insurance coverage, since such works have never been displayed here before,” she said after opening the second 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism (1MCAT) 2011 Festival here yesterday. Themed In-Sight Penang, the month-long festival, which opened Sept 1, sees a collaboration between the Tourism Ministry, Tourism Malaysia, Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah and the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery with 30 art galleries and six hotels here.

The highlight of the festival is the three-day 1MCAT Carnival to be held at 57, Macalister Building from Sept 16, which will include art-related activities for the public such as gallery-hopping treasure hunt, art talks and workshops. Dr Ng said her ministry was also working to promote Malaysian art works at foreign tourism fairs. “We will use every available opportunity to showcase works of our local artists at these fairs. “Works by local artists are gaining recognition and being bought by museums in Singapore and Japan,” she added.

Dr Ng said that the festival was organised from July to September each year as it coincided with National Day, Malaysia Day and the high season for tourist arrivals to the country. “Last year, we had 42,000 visitors to the first 1MCAT, which was held nationwide and about RM14mil in art sales were recorded,” she said. Earlier, Dr Ng unveiled a specially-designed sculpture by artist Ch’ng Huck Theng, who is also the festival’s organising chairman, titledTogether, a Better Malaysia.

-thestar online.