JBFA to hold art exhibition
By Harina Hj Ramlee

A painting which will be showcased at the exhibition 

An art exhibition to be held on May 7, 2003 will mark another milestone for the Brunei Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) and its reciprocal organisation in Tokyo, the Japan Brunei Friendship Association (JBFA).

The Brunei Japan Friendship Association was first held in November 2001, in line with the interests of BJFA and JBFA, the art exhibition aims to promote cultural and technical exchanges and to forge greater friendship and co-operation between the people of Japan and Brunei Darussalam.

Last years event was more than an art exhibition where the event promoted 50 local talented children participating in the art contest. The art exhibition this year has special significance as it has been included as part of Brunei Darussalam's programme for the ASEAN Japan Exchange Year 2003. ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year 2003 was declared in November last year by the 10 ASEAN Heads of States, including His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darrusalam, and the Prime Minister of Japan.

The art exhibition will be officially launched on May 7, 2003 at the Indera Kayangan Hall of the Empire Hotel & Country Club. BJFA executive committee members are on the move and very excited to make sure this exhibition will be another successful one. Gabriel Yong, Chairperson on Cultural, Social and Welfare of BJFA is heartened by the enthusiasm shown by everyone especially from the members involved in the preparation of the event.

As the executive member of BJFA, this is most encouraging, as friendship is a key theme of the association. The main sponsors for this event are Brunei Liquified Natural Gas, Brunei Shell Petroleum, Brunei Shell Marketing and Brunei Shell Tankers. Among other sponsors are "Friends of BJFA", Empire Hotel and Country Club, City Neon and PRM Marketing.

Two eminent Japanese painters Toshio Muroi and Keita Goto will represent Japan. Keita Goto professional calligrapher, is a Permanent Director of Shogenkai (Calligraphy Association) and his calligraphy has been accepted for Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) three times. Toshio Muroi Japanese Style Painting Artist, has been interested in painting particularly portraits since his childhood and is a member of the council at Nitten (Japanese Fine Arts Exhibition) and also member of Nisshunten (Japanese Style Painting Exhibition).

Brunei Darussalam will be represented by a selection of local talents from the former Brunei Artists Association. In all, nearly 100 paintings will be showcased in the Exhibition.

The BJ Friendship Art Exhibition offers the public a great opportunity to appreciate, not only the talents of the artists and the beauty of their works, but also to see their personal messages, from two very different cultures. BJFA invites the public to visit the exhibition which will be open to the public from May 7 (12:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m), May 8 to 13, May 15 to 17 (10:00a.m to 10:00p.m) and May 18 (10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m) at the Empire Hotel & Country Club, Ground Floor. Admission is free.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin