Apec Young Artists Exhibition is on
By Suriani Garip

The 21 young artists with the homestay committee at Pusat Ehsan.

"The future is in your hand, the youth. So it's only proper that during this auspicious gathering for Apec 2000 Brunei Darussalam, where leaders from some of the most powerful economies in the world meet to chart the path of the future cooperation, the young leaders of the future who come from different cultures, economic backgrounds, lifestyles and business climates of Apec member economies should also be included to participate in specific programmes befitting them."

This was stated by Datin Paduka Hjh Azizah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at the Seminar of Apec Young Artists Exhibition at the National Archives Building yesterday.

The theme of the Apec Young Artists Exhibition 2000 is "Contemporary Indigenous Art: Discovering the Roots."

She added, "What is more befitting to mirror about this desired paragon of cooperation and understanding than the images of lifestyles of peoples captured on canvases or murals which, apart from their sublime artistic beauty, are devoid of inherent prejudices in us the mortals.

"Also if I may add, the most effective media to project the desired virtues in man are the arts where bold strokes or the moving of colours capture the imagination of their viewers, irrespective of their nationalities or backgrounds."

" Arts is universal and its messages transcend national boundaries or traditional norms and beliefs. And it goes without saying its practitioners, young and old, are the ambassadors of goodwill and peace."

With respect to the theme, Datin Azizah stated that the theme was apt and timely especially against the backdrop of the advent of IT or ICT and globalisation.

" Our leaders noted that while the inroad of IT or ICT and globalisation into our society is inevitable, they are also seriously concerned what the unbridled IT and globalisation would bring to our traditional way of life. To the weakest as well as the smallest economy like Brunei Darussalam, globalisation means competition done on uneven ground."

She noted, "On the other hand, if the weakest and small economies can draw strength from their roots, the impact of the advent of IT and globalisation will not be to their disadvantage. Through hard work, perseverance and adherence to the norms and values of doing

things collectively our societies will be insulated from the adverse effects of globalisation and we will keep going forward for the rest of the century."

She also stated that youths should be made aware of their roots - their culture, lifestyles, language, beliefs - in order to sustain the development of the society they're in.

"These roots, manifested in various forms, should be included and highlighted in youth programmes aimed to promote cooperation and understanding in the Apec region. I'm delighted that this "Arts Seminar" involves young, aspiring, artistic talents from all over the Asia Pacific region."

"Although they have dissimilar cultures, economic backgrounds and lifestyles through art understanding and friendships can be fostered and Apec co-operations can be enhanced.

It is my warm and sincere hope that out of this programme a life long network among new young artists will emerge, thereby fostering friendship and enhancing cooperations in the world of art and culture," she said.

According to the Chairman of Apec Young Artists' Seminar, Hj Idris Hj Abas, the project is one of Brunei government's initiative to boost up the out-reach programme in Apec especially to encourage the involvement of youth in Apec activities to promote understanding and cooperation, not just amongst the nations' leaders but also amongst the younger generations.

"In line with our Apec 2000 theme 'Delivering To The Community' we would like to capitalise on this opportunity to promote the local participation for our students and artists to interact, network and share their experiences and expertises. It is also giving opportunities for the Apec young artists to give presentations and discussions on art - from methods, techniques to preserving, exhibiting and promoting art."

He added that the other main activity for the Apec young artists is to produce a mural, where each of the artist will be painting on 1m x 1m canvas and together they will produce a huge mural of 7m x 3m.

"Through this collaborative work, they are able to display their talents and creativities. This will represent their views, visions and hopes. They can also portray cooperation, network and coherence that can only bring about healthy and positive relationships between people of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. The mural will symbolise the 'Unity in Diversity of Apec'."

The opening of the exhibition will be held today by Apec leaders where the mural will be exhibited together with the artists' own paintings. And the young artists will be able to meet their respective leaders.

The exhibition will also be open to the public from November 15 to 17.

Young artists from the 21 economies include Eric Arthur Ferguson (Australia), Pg Khamarul Zaman (Brunei Darussalam), Jennifer Suzanne Willet (Canada), Rene Eduardo Rapiman Marin (Chile), Lin Xiaochu (China), Kwan Hiu Tung ( Hong Kong), I Wayan Sudarna Putra ( Indonesia), Asae Soya ( Japan), Mi-jeong Seo (Korea), Muhammad Ekhsan (Malaysia), David Pedroza Castaneda (Mexico), Andy Tauafiafi (New Zealand), Jane Kama Kewa (Papua New Guinea), Eugenia Werner Munoz (Peru), Ismael Halik (Philippines), Irina V. Vorotnikova (Russia), Hong Tianli (Singapore), Huang Hui-hsin (Chinese Taipei), Suwannee Sarakana (Thailand), Yatika Starr Fields (USA) and Le Minh Son (Vietnam).

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin