M'SIA SHOULD CONSIDER VIEWS OF ART EXPERTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government needs to consider the views of local art experts and specialists when including artists in its trade and investment missions abroad, says an art gallery director, Raja Ahmad Aminullah.

He said any effort to improve the standing and marketability of local art
works was welcomed but it must be a two-way process.

"For example, in organising any art exhibition, there must be genuine
cooperation between the artist and organiser or sponsor," he added, after the
launching of a photography exhibition from the personal collection of Malaysia's
first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, at his gallery, R A Fine
Arts, here Wednesday.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, launched the exhibition entitled,
"The Residency Years: Tunku Abdul Rahman - A Special Tribute by Syed Abdullah
Barakhbah" with the Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun, also present.

Sultan of Perak is one of the oldest hereditary seats among the Malay
states.


Raja Ahmad hoped that there would not be just rhetorics but continuous,
tangible support from the relevant quarters for the development and promotion of
art in Malaysia.

On another note, he said it was not true that the younger generation did
not appreciate local art works or poetry, judging from their good turnout at art
exhibitions and poetry reciting sessions.