By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
Photo: Rosli Mansor
KUALA KANGSAR: Ilham Mataku (Inspiration of My Eye) Exhibition and Workshop, ‘Expression from the Heart’ donated a total of RM15,000 to 30 single mothers who participated in the programme.
MB Inc, the Perak Water Board, the State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC) Perak and the Perak state government are among those contributing funds to this programme. A portion was distributed to all single mothers who also produced artwork to be exhibited in conjunction with the programme.
The programme, which is the brainchild of YM Raja Putra Shah, was made possible with local artists supported by a panel of famous advisors and the Pertubuhan Wanita Prihatin Perak (PWPP) or Perak Concerned Women’s Organisation, which established a strategic partnership with the companies Art Case Gallery, Al-Najwa Productions, ICOMM Creative and Nerv Global.
Raja Puan Muda Perak, Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah agreed to inaugurate the programme which was held at Hotel Casuarina Kuala Kangsar yesterday.
Also present were the Chairman of the State Women, Family, Social Welfare and Entrepreneur Development Committee, Salbiah Mohamed; Chairman of HeArt & Craft, Raja Putra Shah; Art Case Gallery’s Chief Mentor, Curator and International Artist, Raja Azhar Idris; The founder of Al Najwa Production Sdn Bhd, Datuk Zunaidah Idris and the Chairman of the PWPP, Noorzita Rabaai.
Salbiah said that the inaugural programme was carried out as an effort to create an online and offline platform for single mothers to explore, find, develop and showcase artistic talents while having the opportunity to earn income through the art of painting and handicraft skills learned through strategic sponsorships.
“As everyone is aware, the Perak State Budget 2023 themed ‘Prosperous Perak, Prosperous People’ was approved in the Perak State Assembly and made People’s Well-Being the main focus involving an allocation of RM380.9 million which is 38 percent of the entire Perak State Budget.
“This is a clear picture and reflection that today’s government will ensure that the welfare and interests of the majority of the people, including the single mother group, will continue and be defended,” she said.
She said, it is also an obligation of the state government to continue to make every effort to help the target group of single mothers so that they are not marginalised and always thrive.
“Today’s council is a very good example to illustrate to all parties that each of us has a very significant role to help this group to continue to progress and succeed,” she said.
In addition to the display of the single mother’s artwork, the programme which started from 11 am to 6 pm yesterday was also packed with various activities such as batik embroidery by school students, face painting and an art sale exhibition.
At the end of the ceremony, YM Raja Azhar Idris together with one of the single mothers presented a painting demonstration. The painting has managed to steal the heart of an entrepreneur, Dato’ Dr. Stanley Chew. He bought it at a price of RM6,000 at an auction session.
