The creative ambience of the CIMB Artober Art & Soul and Fashion Week 2023 unfolded from 5 to 8 October at Hall 1, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur. This vibrant event, one of the country’s largest arts festivals, was an amalgam of visual art, live music, and a confluence of fashion.
The festival kickstarted with a notable presence of dignitaries like the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar and CIMB Group Chairman Datuk Mohd Nasir Ahmad, setting a high bar for what was to follow. The hall of MITEC underwent a metamorphosis into an exclusive art haven, embodying the essence of Malaysia’s premier art event. This transformation was a stepping stone towards unlocking new avenues and forging invaluable connections for artists and artisans, aimed at enriching the cultural and artistic tapestry of the region.
Limkokwing University was the only educational institution to grace the event, bridging academia and the real-world artistic arena. Amidst the artistic atmosphere, Limkokwing University showcased a creative alliance with artist Anisa Abdullah. The collaboration aimed to provide technical support to Anisa’s ambitious project – crafting the largest painting collage on canvas, a feat destined for the Malaysian Book of Records 2023. This expansive canvas, measuring 18 feet by 12 feet, was a visual narrative of CIMB Bank’s journey since its inception in 1924. The university’s role was pivotal in developing an application to meticulously document the participants’ contributions, including capturing photos and tracking the hours invested in this masterpiece.
The articulate gallery executive, Au Yong Yu Ting, echoed the significance of CIMB Artober as a platform for galleries to display a myriad of artists’ work in a single space, emphasising art’s educational facet and emotional resonance. This sentiment was reciprocated by other guests, including Datuk Zainal Abidin and Gina Frias, who underscored the importance of such platforms in nurturing and showcasing local talent.
In a candid conversation, Nor Ashikin binti Nor Majid elucidated her desire to exhibit the versatility of traditional batik and pendants, breaking the conventional mould to reflect modern-day relevance. This endeavour resonated with Limkokwing University’s ethos of nurturing innovation and pushing the boundaries of conventional design.
Tengku Marina Ibrahim shared her enthusiasm for CIMB’s initiative to promote young artists and designers, underscoring the significant role of corporations in fostering a conducive environment for showcasing emerging talents. The synergy between CIMB and Limkokwing University in this endeavour illustrated a collective vision towards nurturing and promoting artistic expression.
The festival was not merely a display of artistic prowess but an educational odyssey. The invitees expressed their willingness and excitement at the prospect of engaging with Limkokwing University students, offering workshops, and sharing their wealth of experience. This collaborative spirit reflected a mutual aspiration to foster a nurturing ecosystem for the artistic community.
CIMB Artober 2023 was a testament to the boundless potential of collaborative efforts between academia and the industry. Limkokwing University’s involvement amplified the event’s objective of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, thereby nurturing a new generation of artists and designers ready to etch their mark in the global artistic landscape.
