KUCHING: As 2025 begins, the collaborative efforts between Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) shine a spotlight on the intersection of art, culture and sustainability.
With a vision to foster community engagement, elevate Islamic art and promote environmental awareness, this partnership sets a significant milestone for Kuching as a city that embraces both tradition and innovation.
“This collaboration is venturing into something unique, providing a platform for Islamic arts to flourish while involving artists from across the nation and internationally. Together, we aim to showcase talents and products that will benefit society at large.” said DBKU mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman.
He said this during a press conference at the Islamic Arts Exhibition at Majma Mall on Monday (Jan 6).
He also highlighted ongoing collaborative projects with Unimas, including research on Low Carbon Emission to support Kuching North City’s ambition of becoming a smart city.
“We are working with Unimas to study and address Low Carbon Emission impacts, aligning with our goal of achieving sustainability for the city,” he added.
This exhibition curated by Unimas marks its first live showcase, providing a platform for both Islamic and contemporary artists to present their works.
One of the exhibition’s curators, Dr Rahah Hasan expressed her hopes for increased public involvement and funding to strengthen the role of technology in Islamic art.
“This is our first exhibition and an opportunity to understand public interest in Islamic art. With greater support, we aim to incorporate technology to make Islamic art accessible to all levels of society, promoting its understanding beyond the academic realm,” she said.
The exhibition targets a broad audience, including academics, school students, and the general public.
“The chosen venue, being a central and easily accessible location, ensures inclusivity and aligns with upcoming Islamic months such as Rejab and Ramadan,” she said.
“Contemporary art allows Muslim artists to express Islamic values through modern methods, with technology playing an essential role. For example, Azrian’s mixed-media work combines digital techniques with traditional painting,” she added.
Prominent Islamic art figures like Datuk Afifi were also highlighted for their contributions to the understanding of Islamic philosophy and its integration into various aspects of life, including architecture and visual arts.
“This exhibition is not just about art but about embracing a way of life guided by Islamic values and philosophy,” she added.
