Young artist displays talent through stamps
By Rosli Abidin Yahya 

Artists of Brunei Darussalam are just as talented and creative as their international counterparts only if they are given opportunity to compete with the world's best. Such talent was apparent when a piece of artwork by a young local girl, Farah bte Abbas, 9 was adjudged as 'worth a mention' at the "Postage Stamp Designs Contest" organised by the Japan Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts & Telecommunications last July.

Farah's entry was only one of 10,019 entries from Japan and 85 other countries but her piece of work was adjudged as one of 1,001, which won the Honourable Mentions.

The judgement, made on April 19 also selected eight grand prize winning works and eight second prize winning works. The contest solicited entries from around the world for postage stamp designs based upon the theme of "peace".

When the contest was announced last July 1, Farah picked up an entry form at the Seri Complex Post Office in Jalan Tutong.

She drew a "Peace Tower" structure in Japan bearing a monument of peace using colour pencils and mailed the original drawing to Japan before the closing date last November 15.

"Farah never thought her drawing would be adjudged one of 1,001 which were tagged with Honourable Mention.

"When she received an acknowledgement and a magazine pertaining to the contest she was obviously overjoyed especially when she saw her name and the name of the country was printed in the publication," said her mother, Nadiah.

Nadiah said her daughter's talent in art had been apparent as she loved drawing. However, she hoped such talent would not go to waste.

"In light of her commendable art work, may we also take the opportunity to seek any assistance to enable Farah to pursue in further polishing her skills in art and creativity," said Nadiah.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin