Artist and musician Alena Ose’ Murang performing with her sape at the launch of Manah: A Living Legacy.
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 February 2017 – An exhibition features the artistic and creative expressions of Malaysia’s indigenous communities and their strong connection to the rainforest was launched at the GALERI PETRONAS yesterday.
“Manah: A Living Legacy” is the gallery’s first exhibition this year and is open for public viewing at the gallery on Level 3, Suria KLCC from 14 February 2017 until 16 April 2017.
Admission is free.
Manah, which means ‘ancient’ or ‘old way’ in the Temiar language, aims to feature the unique aesthetics of the country’s indigenous people which remain intact despite the influences of modernity, to reflect their identity and origins which are strongly linked to the ecology of the land they inhabit.
PETRONAS’ Chairman Tan Sri Sidek Hassan (5th from right), Patron of the World Melayu Polynesia Organisation Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz (6th from right) and exhibition curator Associate Professor Dr. Baharudin Arus (middle) accompanied by artists and guests at the launch of Manah: A Living Legacy.
Speaking at the exhibition launch, PETRONAS’ Chairman Tan Sri Sidek Hassan said the exhibition seeks to re-represent indigenous aesthetics in a new context, challenging the notion of indigenous culture as something that is mysterious, inferior or backwards.
“There is so much that we can learn from these values and practices of indigenous people when it comes to global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable living,” he said.
Sidek said the indigenous people’s minimalist way of life is in itself a lesson in sustainability – a subject only recently given more prominence including by the corporate world.
“PETRONAS is proud to contribute towards enhancing traditional knowledge and a holistic culture.”
One of the exhibition’s highlights are artworks from a new generation of young indigenous artists, namely Alena Ose’ Murang (Kelabit, Sarawak), Shaq Koyok (Temuan, Selangor), Kendy Mitot (Bidayuh, Sarawak) and Kaleb Anyie Udau (Kenyah, Sarawak).
These contemporary art pieces are uniquely infused with their ancestral culture and heritage.
Curated by Associate Professor Dr. Baharudin Arus from University Malaysia Sabah’s Faculty of Humanities, Art and Heritage, the exhibition and documentation of Manah is a testimony to GALERI PETRONAS’ continuous commitment since the last 25 years in developing, promoting and preserving the nation’s visual arts heritage.
Associate Professor Dr. Baharudin Arus (right) explaining the artworks to guests during the exhibition’s curatorial walkthrough at GALERI PETRONAS.
Also present at the launch was the Patron of the World Melayu Polynesia Organisation, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz and PETRONAS Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Communications, Zahariah (Liza) Abdul Rahman.
“The effort of promoting deeper appreciation and understanding of ancient culture and heritage is close to PETRONAS’ heart,” Liza said in her welcoming address.
She said as the nation’s custodian of oil and gas resources for over four decades now, Petronas have grown alongside communities, from bustling cities to the most remote areas across Malaysia.
“Through ‘Manah: A Living Legacy’, we seek to expand the body of knowledge on the indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, in the efforts of preserving and sustaining our national culture, as well as promoting unity and social cohesion among Malaysians.
“We hope this exhibition serves as a reminder of what makes Malaysians special,” she said.
