After their inaugural art week last year, Ni Art Week brought another contemporary art exhibition to the Ipoh community, held for three days from Friday to Sunday, December 8 to 10.
This year, Ni Art Week decided to go to school and was honoured to have support from the students of SMJK Yuk Choy with its theme Ni Art @ School.
With its aim to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their art pieces to the public, there were six featured artists altogether, who were CK Choe, Lee Chin Chee, Loh Yi Chuen, Chen Chun Yao, Mah Zhim San and Hwa Kean Kok.
Each of them exhibited their art in the school main hall which was built more than a century ago and around the school compound.
According to its organiser Kok Hwa Kean, Ni Art took the initiative to interact with students this year as they wanted to instill creativity among the students.
“Creativity is important especially in the current world that we live in. Education nowadays goes beyond classroom, textbooks and exams.
“However, we feel that the importance of art in our lives, is something that has been long neglected by the society. Art is not just learning a musical instrument or drawing. It’s more than that,” he said.
Super Star Hair and Make-Up Academy, who participated in the exhibition, showcased their different costumes, made of recycled items and a mixed medium. Visitors could grab the chance to take a photo with the costumes.
Apart from art installations, the visitors were also entertained by live performances from Culture Shot, a group of six people from different races, united by their love for music and culture. They strummed the melodic rhythm of a Rebana coupled with gongs, and the interlocking beats of a Gendang with a splash of Chinese cymbals. A real fusion collage.
The visitors also enjoyed live acoustic performances by three other groups called Jom Kopitiam, Mijor Manor and Messenger.
The exhibition was officiated by Parent-Teacher Association president William Chan, followed by opening performances by the school’s students including 24 Festive Drums and the Chinese Orchestra.
Nabilah Hamudin
