Main image via New Straits Times
Local artist Red Hong Yi is internationally known for her ability to create art with simple objects one might find at home.
Recently, she travelled back to her hometown of Sabah to co-organise an art project with her friend and local filmmaker Jared Abdul Rahman, in conjunction with Malaysia Day, called “Pillars of Sabah”.
Image via The Star
Speaking to The Star, Red said, “Jared and I were planning to create something during the election (that took place on 9 May).” Their initial plan was to paint a wall at the Sabah Street Art Gallery bright yellow, but when the results of the election came out, they came up with a better idea.
“When the results came out, we wanted to do something great and meaningful to celebrate Malaysia, and that was why we decided to do this project and launch it on Malaysia Day.”
Red and Jared contacted artists, graphic designers, illustrators, architects, photographers, and cartoonists–30 in total, and each person was allocated one pillar each to paint.
According to Red, the artists were asked to paint faces of people that they have come across in Sabah, who have inspired them.
“The portrait does not necessarily have to be that of a Sabahan. It can be someone who contributed to Sabah ina big way, or someone who was born in Sabah, but has already left the state,” she said. Red created a portrait of Penny Wong, an Australian politician who lived in Sabah for eight years.
The freshly painted pillars were actually the pillars of an old building located in the centre of downtown Kota Kinabalu. The Land and Survey building had burnt down in the 1990s and was left abandoned after the fire.
Here’s a before image:
Image via SAYS
This is what it looks like now:
Image via SAYS
In a media interview, Red said, “We did this so it would encourage the art community in Sabah and Malaysia. Jared and I wanted the pillars to be an open portfolio for the artists, so they can be contacted for work and supported by the community (their contact details are on the pillars).”
“Pillars of Sabah” was launched on Malaysia Day, 16 September. More than 200 guests attended the launch, including the mayor, and the icons whose portraits were painted.
“We hope this will become a major tourist attraction in Sabah, one that will encourage the arts and educate people about our unique heritage.”
We hope so too!
Info via The Star and SAYS
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