12 September 2019
The birth of MerdekaMalaysiaMillennial exhibition
In conjunction with the 62nd Merdeka Day and 56th Malaysia Day celebrations, Maybank launched an inaugural MerdekaMalaysiaMillennial Exhibition, a platform dedicated for passionate youths to express their views in building a nation that is united and inclusive for all.
The exhibition showcases 83 works of art by 11 talented and outstanding artists and groups under the age of 40, presenting artworks comprising various disciplines, skills and technicalities that illustrate the future of Malaysia.
Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Foundation, Shahril Azuar Jimin said that the MerdekaMalaysiaMillennial exhibition takes a new approach in efforts to instil nationalistic values among Malaysians especially the younger generation.
“The country has experienced rapid changes in most segments of life over the years and they are predominantly driven by the younger generation. The youths of today are game changers and are defining a new Malaysia altogether. Through their pure and unbiased vision, we can all collectively benefit as we work towards shaping a nation that we can all be proud of.”
Through this exhibition, the Maybank’s Balai Seni Art Series continues to create a new benchmark by leveraging the powerful element of art to inspire the wider population. This, added Shahril, is a timely introduction by Maybank as the country celebrates its road to nationhood.
Individual artists - Ain Rahman, Alvin Lau, Amani Azlin, Barathan Amuthan, Dhaniya Yusof, Jack Yong, Ruby Subramaniam and Sharina Shahrin who are well-versed in various mediums and subject matters, collectively presented 27 artworks that highlight the qualities of the many creative individuals with refreshing and colourful perspectives on the personal and emotional landscapes.
Meanwhile, R+, a research arm of GDP Architects that focuses on the aspect of culture, environment and how technology has impacted the lives of Malaysians, featured seven unique artworks depicting the country’s vast history in the form of stamps.
The Rojak Project, an initiative by TRP CREATIVES, a social enterprise committed to promoting unity through cultural and diversity awareness, contributed 49 digital portraits that are made entirely from local food by participants of their workshops. These images will not only describe the beauty in the variety of Malaysian food and its people, but conveys the message of the country’s diversity.
Some of the artworks created by the local artists are up for sale at the exhibition and are priced between RM600 to RM5,600. The artists will be contributing 20% of the proceeds from the sales of artworks to various charitable organisations supported by Maybank Foundation.
The ‘MerdekaMalaysiaMillennial’ exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) and 11am to 4pm (Saturday) until 21 September 2019. Admission to Balai Seni Maybank is free.
The launch ceremony also saw the presence of the Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation, Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin, Maybank Board Members, Shariffuddin bin Khalid and Che Zakiah Binti Che Din, as well as members of the Maybank Foundation Board of Trustees, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and Dato’ V. Danapalan.
At the ceremony, there was also a special performance by the symphony group of Sekolah Seri Puteri, SP Winds, which won the Gold medal at the 30th Australian International Music Festival 2019 in Sydney.
Balai Seni Maybank has been actively hosting Malaysian and international artists since its establishment in the 1980s. Some of the biggest names in the local art scene today have, in the past, exhibited their artworks at Balai Seni Maybank which continues to support the new generation of visual arts practitioners.
