Art tourism latest attraction in Langkawi

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and VIPs showing their skills in abstract painting at the Langkawi 1MCAT launch.

LANGKAWI: Langkawi, known for its natural heritage and duty-free shopping, has set its sights on art tourism as its latest tourist attraction.

The island’s art scene has certainly picked up since the introduction of the Langkawi edition of the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Festival (1MCAT). The festival, which is aimed at putting Malaysia on the map as a new art tourism destination, provides a platform for local artists to display their works to tourists and buyers.

Giving the thumbs up to the festival is veteran artist Md Salleh Dawam, 61, who said local artists on the island would be more motivated to produce their best pieces. He said the annual festival, which would run until September, was the right catalyst to push the island’s art tourism onto the next level.

Md Salleh said there were not many full-time artists on the island. “They paint once in a while before showing their works to people who might be interested in buying them. Hence, very few have collections which can be exhibited,” said the Johor-born artist who started painting in 1967. Having stayed on the island for many years, Md Salleh felt much more was needed to elevate the art scene in Langkawi.

“Many artists also rely too much on the government. They must change their attitude, play a bigger role and adopt a more progressive approach to boost Langkawi’s art scene.” Young artist Chekri Mansor, 35, from Kuala Lumpur, is no stranger to the event in Langkawi, having participated in last year’s festival.

He said the event provided young artists a good avenue to get exposure and experience. “I think it should be held longer. Three months is too short,” said Chekri who has participated in international exhibitions in cities such as Manila and Tokyo.

The 1MCAT Langkawi edition was launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said visual art was a good tourism product and tourists to Langkawi were known to have taken time to visit art galleries. Although good sales had been made during the previous festivals, no target has been set for the Langkawi edition.

Its main focus, she said, was developing the art scene further and creating awareness among the locals, hoteliers, artists and local tourism players. “It would be good if we can convince all hotels here to exhibit the works of local artists. Guests can enjoy their coffee or meals and at the same time feast their eyes on paintings. “To many, a hotel is just another hotel unless it has something special to offer, like paintings and artworks.” Dr Ng believed the spin-off from booming art tourism would benefit many people.

“New business opportunities will be created. For example, when tourists buy art to take home, there must be someone to provide packaging services and so on.” The 1MCAT festival is also running at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the National Visual Arts Gallery, the Tourism Ministry in Putrajaya and other locations in the federal capital.

In the states, the venues are Johor Premium Outlet in Kulaijaya, Malacca Art Gallery, Kota Kinabalu City Council, Kedah Art Festival in Kulim, Tuanku Fauziah Museum and Gallery in Penang and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre. For more details, visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my.
-nst online.
Note: 1MCAT Langkawi with Four Points By Sheraton Langkawi Resort at the lobby and lounge area of Four Points By Sheraton Langkawi Resort from July to September 2012-pelancongankini.