65 WORKERS EXHIBITED TALENT THROUGH THE "TEGUH BERSAMA" EXHIBITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 65TH NATIONAL DAY AND MALAYSIA DAY 2022
By: Aliah Farhana Azman
The “Teguh Bersama” exhibition, organised by the Tuanku Nur Zahirah Art Gallery (GESTURZ) UiTM Shah Alam, began on September 30, 2022, in conjunction with the 65th National Day and Malaysia Day 2022, to reveal the various talents of artists and provide opportunities for them to create and show creativity through artwork. Taking inspiration from the theme of this year's celebration which is "Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama", artists can fuel their spirit of patriotism through the arts that they have created.
To bring the community closer to art, the "Teguh Bersama" exhibition will create and maintain a chain of communication between artists (painters, designers, and writers), art enthusiasts and collectors, historians, curators, and gallery administrators, in addition to celebrating the creative talent of artists and further maintaining the bonding between the community. Furthermore, this show served as a medium to highlight the artist's responsibility in conveying messages about the balance of the worldly and spiritual through the arts and visual fields.
During the official opening of the “Teguh Bersama exhibition is specially organised by GESTURZ UiTM as an effort to revitalise the national month through a group art exhibition involving UITM staff, students, alumni, and also retirees," said UiTM Tuanku Nur Zahirah Art Gallery Director Puan Wan Zaiyana Mohd Yusof. The artists can display their works in the categories of visual art, design, and creative writing, as well as other noteworthy works that are unique to this exhibition ".
Dato' Oon Pheng Khoon, Managing Director of Raffles Auction Sdn Bhd, inaugurated the show. In his remarks, he stated in his speech “We cannot deny the fact that the self-identity and identity of a nation and country are closely related to its culture and art. What is most interesting about the Teguh Bersama exhibition at GESTURZ that has been held for more than a month is the continuation of the story of three young people who repaired the national monument that terrorists tried to destroy more than 40 years ago, followed by an exhibition displaying the efforts of the employees today's young people whom each describe their interpretation of their love for the country, and continue to the cute results from the children who have started to learn about the art and colors of independence. This continuity is symbolic of Malaysia's united, independent soul, which will continue to live through time”.Immediately afterward, the audience was shown a poem recitation performance by guest artist Norfadhlan Adli Norkhairi, who delivered the idea that the importance of identity is an encouragement for the Malaysian nation's prosperity. The ceremony was followed by a screening of the "Tugu Negara" montage. Mr. Zulkeply Maulana, an ITM alumni, was interviewed by GESTURZ at the screening. He has given his talent and energy to the restoration of the national monument, which was destroyed by communists in 1966.
Several artworks were displayed that night, including one by Hishamuddin Abdullah, UITM alumni who demonstrated a sense of patriotism in his piece "Dibawah Satu Bendera." The artwork is composed of little face mask sheets that are linked together to make a big Jalur Gemilang. Hishamuddin Abdullah stated his artwork in which the function of the face mask that was highlighted to protect becomes a metaphor and symbolises Malaysians' unity and solidarity. Other works of art that drew notice included "The Provider," a wooden arch by Burhanuddin Bakri, "Ketaksaan Yang Cair," a painting by Khairudin Zainudin, and "Hebahan," a painting by Raja Afrina Solehah, among others.
