Matrade, Galeri Chandan To Showcase Malaysian Art Works In London

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is collaborating with Galeri Chandan, a Kuala Lumpur-based contemporary art space to showcase local paintings at the Second Start Art Fair 2015 (Start 2015) at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London. The show, which is held on Sept 10-13, 2015, will offer an overview of Malaysia's vibrant art scene and most importantly attracting art collectors, curators, art aficionados and critics from the United Kingdom (UK) and other parts of Europe. Malaysia's total exports of visual arts including paintings, drawings and pastels in 2014 amounted to US$2.66 million (RM11.45 million), according to Matrade, the national trade promotion agency said in a statement here, Friday. London has been selected as the venue for the event as the city is the centre of art in Europe. Last year, the UK was ranked third in sales of art globally after the United States and China, said Matrade. Start 2015 will also play host to 47 galleries from 25 cities such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Hanoi, Cape Town, Los Angeles, Jeddah, Rome, Istanbul, Tehran, Cologne, Munich, Budapest and Bangalore. The event pays homage to seven Malaysian artists — Awang Damit, Chong Siew Ying, Haris Abadi, Kow Leong Kiang, Phuan Thai Meng, Umibaizurah Ismail and Zulkifli Yusoff. These homegrown artists who have already established firm footings in their careers locally will be featuring artworks themed as 'A Door Ajar', that are inspired by the many facets of culture in Malaysia. Apart from spotlighting emerging new artists from Malaysia and around the world, Start 2015 will feature specially-curated exhibitions focusing on the dynamic art scenes of Asia. The showcase will complement Matrade's previous programmes to promote Malaysian visual arts such as the Arts Kuala Lumpur (KL) held in Miami and Melbourne that were introduced in 2013. Matrade said these art showcases are part of its efforts to push Malaysia's soft exports, and since 2013, a total of 277 artworks from 126 local artists have already been featured in foreign markets. Malaysia’s art industry is on the rise with increasing level of interest and growing art awareness among the young and professional group of collectors. With Malaysia’s diverse culture and multi-ethnic society, local artists can offer something unique to spark the interest and demand from overseas. Following Start 2015 in London, Matrade will be promoting Malaysia's artworks at the Arts KL-Melbourne 2015, which is set to take place later this year. --BERNAMA