Local artist's best works showcased at UBD
By Azrol Azmi

A solo art exhibition entitled "Wajah Brunei Darussalam" or "Features of Brunei Darussalam" is now on show and open to public at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Library Lounge for a period of one month starting September 13, 2006.

The exhibition features artworks produced by Pg Mohd Roslan, a popular local artist who is also an art teacher and education officer at Rimba Secondary School. Pg Md Roslan uses oil painting, oil and soft pastel, watercolour, acrylic, pencils, charcoal and mixed media as mediums for his artwork.

Pg Md Roslan has participated in many group exhibitions since 2002 and has also participated in art exhibitions in neighbouring countries. "Wajah Brunei Darussalam" is Pg Md Roslan's second solo exhibition.

His first solo exhibition was held in 2004 at the Sheraton Hotel in the capital as part of the "Tourism in Brunei" programme of events. Pg Md Roslan said he was pleased to be given the opportunity to showcase his artwork in a solo exhibition at the UBD Library. Pg Md Roslan is himself a Bachelor of Arts graduate from UBD, graduating in the year 2001.

Dato Paduka Dr Awg Hj Ismail bin Hj Duraman, the Vice Chancellor of UBD who was the guest of honour at the launching ceremony of the art exhibition said he was proud to see the exhibition and particularly the UBD Library for organising the art exhibition in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of UBD. Dato Dr Hj Ismail added that this is the third exhibition that involved local artists.

The UBD Vice Chancellor was also pleased with the artworks produced by Pg Md Roslan, given the fact that Pg Md Roslan himself is a UBD graduate.

"This shows UBD has the capability of producing quality artists," he said. "Pg Md Roslan sets a good example for the graduates and undergraduates of UBD to follow."

The Vice Chancellor said that art is not only a hobby or a past-time activity, adding that it can be a career that could help the artist, in terms of income, and the nation.

"Artworks could help the nation when the artworks, especially those displaying picturesque features of Brunei Darussalam, are bought by visitors or tourists. The artworks would introduce Brunei to viewers from other countries," he said.

Pg Md Roslan uses the theme that really presents his artwork, which shows the picturesque views of Brunei Darussalam from various perspectives. The artworks on display at the exhibition are on sale for those interested in purchasing them, with prices ranging from B$180 to more than $3,000.

Pg Mohd Roslan told the Bulletin that the elements of Kampong Ayer and Brunei's natural rainforest are his source of inspiration. Sometimes he would sit in a corner and draw a simple sketch of a viewpoint at one particular spot in Brunei and later bring it home for further touch-ups. He added that some artworks would take him a few weeks to finish, while others could be completed on the spot if he had the time.

He further added that from his experience, to improve and upgrade his artwork, what is needed is the interaction with members of the public in which comments and criticism are part of the process.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin