Support local artists’ sustainability, Miri MP calls on government

MIRI (Aug 4): The government should provide an ecosystem meant to help local artists in sustaining their livelihood and generating good income from their work.

In stating this, Miri MP Chiew Choon Man highlights the need to conceptualise a plan to help local artists commercialise their products.

“Hopefully, we could have a regular platform where artists can display their artworks, to not solely be appreciated by art lovers, but also to be up for sale,” he said during a press conference on Miri Arts Festival (MAF) 2024 yesterday.

Nevertheless, Chiew praised the event’s organising committee for bringing together 18 renowned local and international artists to display their collections spanning across various media.

“I hope MAF 2024 could be held annually, providing a platform for our artists to display their creations, as well as to further boost Miri’s tourism.

“Such events attract global art lovers, including our neighbours from Brunei,” he said, calling upon members of the public to visit the festival now being staged at Pullman Miri Waterfront.

“Tomorrow (today) is the last day of the festival. Please do drop by and support our local artists.”

Meanwhile, Miri Resident Jamalie Busri said he was honoured that the organisers had selected Miri to host the inaugural arts festival.

“We are appreciative and look forward to seeing the art festival turn into an annual event,” said Jamalie, whose text-of-speech was read by Miri District officer Siti Rohanie Yusuf.

MAF 2024 features contemporary works that follow the latest technological trends in arts, combining both augmented and mixed reality pieces.

Organised by AX International Event and Communications Sdn Bhd, the festival is run in collaboration with Chamber of Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS).

Among those present were deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad, DUBS Miri chairman Hafidz Rohani, Councillor Sean Huang, MAF director Azeez Salleh, as well as local artist and gallery owner MahsuriShark.