Malaysian Emerging Artist Award Winners Celebrated at “Thirteen Best Artists Showcase”
Limkokwing University celebrates art, talent, and creativity as its International Gallery hosts the "Thirteen Best Artists Showcase" exhibition. The exhibition, showcasing the top 13 artists of the Malaysian Emerging Artist (MEA) Award by CIMB Foundation, opened its doors to the public from 6 - 16 July 2023.
Sponsored by CIMB Foundation and founded by renowned artist Bayu Utomo Radjikin, the MEA Award is a biennial art competition that propels the careers of Malaysia’s most promising emerging talents. This year’s 13 top artists - the five winners and eight finalists of the MEA Award - had their work displayed in the vibrant exhibition, reflecting their development and transformation since their inspiring 10-day trip to Indonesia in March. The tour comprised intense visits to galleries, workshops and studios in Jogjakarta, Bandung, and Jakarta.
The “Thirteen Best Artists Showcase,” commencing on July 6 and running for ten days, features over 65 new creative artworks. Among the showcased artists are the five MEA Award winners Amar Shahid, Aza Ikmal, Noor Zahran, Syahmi Jamaluddin, and Syazwan Rahim. The showcased artists represent the varied and impressive emerging talent in Malaysia. Their artworks truly reflect the innovative and creative abilities of the new generation of Malaysian artists.
It is an event not to be missed, especially for collectors seeking contemporary art by some of the country’s top emerging local talents. Exciting art talks, classes, curatorial tours by the artists, and programmes will be held on weekends to engage the visitors further.
The MEA Award by CIMB Foundation economically empowers our talented artists’ community and significantly strengthens the local arts and cultural ecosystem.
In his speech, Datuk Mohd Nasir Ahmad, Chairman of CIMB Foundation said, “as a responsible corporate citizen, CIMB Foundation places emphasis on elevating and enhancing the lives of the surrounding community that we operate in. We are steadfast in empowering the community economically, by creating more opportunities, whilst doing our part in supporting the wellbeing of the creative industry.”
Datuk Mohd Nasir strongly advocates for society to view art as a valuable asset. Consequently, CIMB Foundation is delighted to champion the continuous growth of Malaysia’s local arts and culture ecosystem. In alignment with this perspective, he said that CIMB Foundation is pleased to lead the way in nurturing the growth of Malaysia’s local arts and culture ecosystem. The artworks displayed at this showcase represent a positive shift in the ecosystem. The aim is that the exposure these pieces receive will serve as a catalyst, stimulating a brighter future for Malaysia’s emerging local talents.
“Looking ahead, we are hopeful to see more active participation from the public and corporations alike to band together in supporting the growth and viability of the arts and cultural scene,” he said.
The exhibition was launched by YB Dato’ Muhammad Bakhtiar, Chairman of MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd. This government investment arm aims to spur Malaysia’s creative industry via strategic and innovative funding and investments.
“Art is a large contributor to the economy and also plays an important role in shaping our personal identity, as well as contributing to nation building. As such, I am pleased to see corporations such as CIMB through its Foundation, championing the local art and culture scene through their support in MEA,” he stated.
He further encouraged corporations and businesses in Malaysia to curate their art collections and to feature works by Malaysia’s gifted artists. This initiative, he believes, will serve to fortify and enrich the nation’s art ecosystem. He stated that MyCreative Ventures will continue working with CIMB, “to continue increasing the awareness of art and the impact it creates, whilst providing a marketplace for art practitioners to elevate their presence.”
The exhibition at Limkokwing University offers a firsthand look at the wealth of creative talent blossoming in Malaysia. This showcase reflects the concerted efforts by institutions like the CIMB Foundation to nurture and promote the country’s arts and culture industry. It embodies the University’s unwavering commitment to fostering creative education.
Limkokwing University has been at the forefront of innovative learning, offering a broad range of arts, design, and multimedia courses structured to stimulate creativity and original thought. This exhibition is also a testament to the University’s efforts in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world practices, offering students valuable exposure and insights into the professional art scene.
