New Straits Times on Merdeka Award ceremony.

Orang Asli researcher among three recipients of special arts and sciences grant

The recipients of the International Merdeka Award Grant of the International Placement Research Grant 2017 (from left) Dr. Sophia Rasheeqa Ismail, Shahar A / L Koyok and Dr. Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof pictured at the Merdeka Award Grant 2017 at the Petronas Twin Towers today. (BERNAMA)

 

 

By TEH ATHIRA YUSOF - December 13, 2017 @ 7:50pm

KUALA LUMPUR: An Orang Asli researcher from Selangor was among the three recipients awarded with grants from the Merdeka Award 2017 International Grant on their studies for arts and sciences.

Artiste Shahar Koyok, 32, a Temuan from Banting was the first Orang Asli to receive the grant as well as the first recipient of the Education and Community category.
Shahar said his research will explore indigenous art within the context of the diverse ethnic and culture of Malaysia while emphasising the Merdeka spirit.

“The goal of my research is to regain attention to the indigenous culture in Malaysia, particularly, in arts. Hopefully, the research will show how important for Malaysians to learn about the history of the orang asli and it will be placed in the textbooks,” he said.

The recipients were announced by Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is also the Royal Patron of the Merdeka Award Trust here.Sultan Nazrin said the grant offers the recipients to realise a study or research abroad and also to serve as a role model to the younger generation.

“Merdeka Award is to promote innovation and thought leadership while passing the torch to the next generation to sustain Malaysia’s success as a dynamic and competitive global player in sectors from science and technology to the arts and humanities.

“These three talented young Malaysians will add to the total number of 11 recipients since the International Grant’s inception in 2012. They will make the best of their opportunity with experts, collect valuable insights for their fields of research and develop solutions for the people,” he said at the event.

The recipients were announced by Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is also the Royal Patron of the Merdeka Award Trust . (pix by SAIRIEN NAFIS)

 

Sultan Nazrin added to commit with Merdeka Awards’ objective, there will be an inaugural “Merdeka Meeting” with Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) to discuss on the nation’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects this Dec 16.

The other two recipients were, Institute for Medical Research officer (research medical) Dr Sophia Rasheeqa Ismail, 30, whose research focuses on the studies of cardiovascular disease especially on lipids and the risk of Myocardial infarction (MI) faced by Malaysian men.

While Dr Zetty Norhana Baila Yusof, 35, research focuses on exploring the use of Malaysian seaweeds as an alternative agent to control basal stem rot (BSR) disease that significantly reduces palm oil yield caused by Ganode fungus.
Also present at the event was Petronas president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin and ExxonMobil chairman Edward E. Graham.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/314109/orang-asli-researcher-among-three-recipients-special-arts-and-sciences

The Star News on Merdeka Award ceremony.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, on Wednesday announced the recipients of the 2017 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment. The three outstanding recipients are Shahar Koyok, Dr Sophia Rasheeqa Ismail and Dr Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof.

Read more at https://www.thestartv.com/v/three-lucky-merdeka-award-grant-recipients-named#j01dKD2guRwmeZcp.99 

Please visit the link below to view the video. Thanks.

 

https://www.thestartv.com/v/three-lucky-merdeka-award-grant-recipients-named

Thanks you for a great article from The Malaysian Reserve.

https://themalaysianreserve.com/2017/12/14/funding-academic-research-critical-nation/

Funding for academic research critical for the nation.

By SHAHEERA AZNAM SHAH / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Continuous funding support for local academic research that contributes to the country’s productivity is key to preserve Malaysia as a global player, said the Sultan of Perak Sultan Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

“Passing the torch to the next generation is the only way to sustain Malaysia’s success as a dynamic and competitive global player in sectors ranging from science and technology, to the arts and humanities,” he said after gracing the 2017 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment (MA Grant) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
With a total of 11 recipients since it was launched in 2012, he said the grant aims to foster a culture of excellence to promote thought leadership and innovation among the youth community.
“The grant offers the candidates a tailored financial support to realise their study, research or residency project abroad. These projects can be in education and community, environment and health, as well as science and technology,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said for this year’s grant, researches in the palm oil industry, heart diseases and indigenous culture have taken the centre stage.
Conducting a research in sustaining the production of palm oil, grant recipient Universiti Putra Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof said her study will focus on establishing a plantbased method in controlling the main disease in oil palm plantation, which significantly reduces more than half of the production yearly.
“The oil palm is the most profitable oil-bearing crop which yields an approximate 3.5 tonnes of oil per ha.
“But the production has been long confronted with a serious disease of fungus, which reduces the production up to 55%,” she told The Malaysian Reserve.
As Malaysia is battling the threat of export bans by certain countries, she said the productivity issue is cause for alarm.
“Before we talk about the current issue in the industry, we have to consider another side of the sustainable production.
Fungicide and chemicals have been used, which are harmful to humans and the environment.
“Malaysia could be importing these chemicals. An alternative that utilises natural resources should be explored,” she said.
Another grant recipient, Dr Sophia Rasheeqa Ismail, said a more accurate study on heart disease — especially the medicine to be prescribed — could help locals.
“The knowledge in the modern healthcare industry, particularly for cardiovascular diseases, is based on the Western population. The Malaysian population is distinct and unique from the complicated dynamics of the disease,” she said.
A research medical officer at the Kuala Lumpur Institute for Medical Research, she said her research aims to understand the differences between the country’s major ethnic groups, which potentially enhance the treatment strategies for the debilitating disease.
The MA Grant is an extension to the Merdeka Award — spearheaded by oil and gas giants Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Exxonmobil Exploration and Product ion Malaysia Inc and Shell Malaysia — which was established in 2007.
Launched in 2012, the MA Grant allows recipients to participate in collaborative projects or programmes at selected international institution and corporations within the network of the grant’s founding partners.

Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2017.

Thank you to Merdeka Award trustee and committee for the award. I feel blessed and honoured to be one of the recipient of the award. I hope with this achievement will rise the profile of Indigenous people in Malaysia. Thank you so much to Petronas Galeri for your effort to promotes my artwork. Gosh i feel so good!

Watch this "Perspectives" the video interviews project about art by James Ly of MInut Init Art Social Gallery

 

Felt blessed to be part of "Perspectives" the video interviews project about art by James Ly of MInut Init Art Social Gallery.

Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJxLTXFXEMs&feature=share

Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyj7y12pppY&t=7s 

My new work at ROOTS exhibition at SGFA : Shalini Ganendra!

Join us for Artist Walk Through of new exhibition ROOTS on FRIDAY, 7PM as part of GWKL: Gallery Weekend Kuala Lumpur! 

Please visit www.shaliniganendra.com

Roots group exhibition is part of Gallery Weekend Kuala Lumpur!

 Check out my new work at ROOTS: Emerging Malaysia at SGFA: Shalini Ganendra Fine Art. All welcome to view!   www.gw-kl.com

 

ROOTS: Emerging Malaysia  SGFA: Shalini Ganendra Fine Art

Orang Asli Woven Workshop at Wajah Bumi Exhibition

Thanks everyone who joined in my woven workshop. Even though the gallery gave only two hours for the workshop, but the participant managed to pull it off. Some of them even become master in short time and begun to help me to teach other who struggle to learn how to weaved.  This is my small step to promote the dying culture of weaving in Orang Asli.

Great experience at Wajah Bumi : a group exhibition at White Box, Publika.

Wajah Bumi : a group exhibition at White Box, Publika

This year the 10th International Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Fest 2017 (KLEFF2017) will be hosting a nature-themed art exhibition titled "Wajah Bumi" featuring 6 local and international artists on 24-29 October 2017 at White Box, Publika.

"Wajah Bumi", curated by our KLEFF Founder & Honorary Advisor, @yasmin_rasyid , will showcase the works of Alena Murang, Amri Ginang, Kendy Mitot, Shaq Koyok, Christian Senat and Florent Mamelle.

The Wajah Bumi Art Exhibition is FREE to the public.

Come and join me for Orang Asli Woven Art workshop at White Box, Publika.

Orang Asli Woven Art by Shaq Koyok

Date: Sun, 29th Oct 2017 

Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: White Box, Publika
Registration Fee: RM10/pax
Age Group: 12 and above

Quick! Seats are limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis so register now at http://kleff.my/workshops/kleff2017-oa-woven-art/ or  https://kleff.my/workshops-talks/ or you can go to our official website www.kleff.my

 for more info.

Selangor International Indigenous Festival 2017 is back!

Come and join us to celebrate the diversity of Malaysia in this year Indigenous Festival.

A Lyre Bird Encounter

Join me with my friends at "Meet the Artist" at Galeri Petronas.

Please bring your friend to our art talk about our experience as indigenous artist in Malaysia and our view based on current issue threaten our indigenous culture in Malaysia. This is our effort to contribute to society..

The Forgotten Indigenous Art by Passionate World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNl9GFrmSnw&feature=youtu.be

The Forgotten Indigenous Art by Passionate World  Joey Lee

This video documentary was filmed in my and Kendy Mitot art workshop at Galeri Petronas, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur by Joey Lee. I was really surprise and unprepared with the idea of interview during my workshop. As you can see i was a little bit stumble with my word but Joey Lee edited the video very well. Hope you can understand with my bad English in the video. Thanks again to Joey Lee from Passionate World. 

Manah - Exhibiting the Indigenous on BFM 89.9

Check out this great interview from BFM 89.9 radio station discussion about the understanding of art exhibition of Manah: A Living Legacy at Galeri Petronas.

With Associate Professor Dr. Baharudin Arus, Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Faculty of Humanities, Art and Heritage | Puan Ratna, co-curator of this exhibition. Please click on this link below.


http://www.bfm.my/baharudin-arus-ratna-manah-exhibiting-the-indegenous.html

‘Manah’ challenges notion of indigenous arts and culture.

http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/02/24/manah-challenges-notion-of-indigenous-arts-culture/

February 24, 2017, Friday Georgette Tan, reporters@theborneopost.com

Sidek (fifth right) together with Tunku Zain (sixth right), and Baharudin (centre), as well as the Young Contemporary Artists —Alena (left), Kaleb (fourth left), Kendy (third right) and Shaq (second right).

KUALA LUMPUR: Art  exhibition ‘Manah: A Living Legacy’ at Galeri Petronas Suria KLCC, aims to showcase indigenous aesthetics in a new context, and challenge the notion that indigenous culture is mysterious, inferior or backwards.

Petronas chairman Tan Sri Sidek Hassan, who was there to launch the exhibition earlier this week, said that the prejudices of modern society have lead to the mistaken perception which assumes that the creativity and inventions of the past did not bear any influence or effect on their lives.
“It causes the people to ignore the valuable treasures of their ancestors, while in awe of the presence of new inventions that are expensive and considered high value and associated with prestige.”
He said that there is so much that people can learn from the values and practices of indigenous people when it comes to global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable living.

“Their minimalist way of life is in itself a lesson in sustainability—a subject only recently given more prominence.
“Petronas is proud to contribute towards enhancing traditional knowledge and a holistic culture.”
‘Manah: A Living Legacy’ is Galeri Petronas’ first exhibition for 2017. It will run from Feb 14 until April 16.

‘Manah’, which means ‘ancient’ or ‘old way’ in the Temiar language, aims to feature the unique indigenous aesthetics which remain intact despite influences of modernity, reflecting their identity and origins which are closely linked to the ecology of the land they inhabit.
Curated by Associate Professor Dr Baharudin Mohd Arus from the Faculty of Humanities, Art and Heritage, University Malaysia Sabah, the exhibition and documentation of ‘Manah’ is a testimony to Galeri Petronas’ continuous commitment over the last 25 years in developing, promoting and preserving the nation’s fine visual arts heritage.

Among the items on display are traditional artefacts from the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from the native people of East Malaysia.
Significantly, a group of young indigenous artists are featured here with their modern interpretations of practices and artefacts from their ancestral culture and heritage.

Billed as Participating Young Contemporary Artists, they are Sarawak’s own Alena Ose’ Murang (Kelabit), Kendy Mitot (Bidayuh), and Kaleb Anyie Udau (Kenyah), together with Selangor’s Shahar ‘Shaq’ Koyok (Temuan). Also present were World Melayu Polynesian Organisation patron and IDEAS founding president Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz and Petronas Group strategic communications senior general manager Zahariah (Liza) Abd Rahman.
In her welcoming address, Liza said the effort to promote deeper appreciation and understanding of ancient cultures and heritage is close to Petronas’ heart.
“As the nation’s custodians of oil and gas resources for over four decades now, we have grown alongside communities, from bustling cities to the most remote areas across Malaysia.”
She expressed hope that the exhibition would serve as a reminder of what makes Malaysians special.
“Through ‘Manah: A Living Legacy’, we seek to expand the body of knowledge of the indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

To offer a more holistic experience to the exhibition, there are several other events lined up including a music appreciation programme featuring the ‘sape’, a film screening on the Temiar people, storytelling from the Kelabit tribe for children, and discourses on indigenous practices, music and folklore.

Galeri Petronas will also play host to a master weaver from Kampung Inarad, Tongod, Sabah who will be demonstrating her skills in weaving intricate traditional motifs.
The exhibition is open to the public and can be viewed at Galeri Petronas, Level 3, Suria KLCC. Admission is free.