SKETCHING A NEW DIMENSION IN ART

By Ahmad Zukiman Zain

KUALA LUMPUR, June 145 (Bernama) -- The National Art Gallery's latest
display sketches a new dimension -- tourism through art.

Entitled "Mosaics of Malaysia", the exhibition showcases the wide-ranging
work of China's renowned artist Zhang Zhou.

National Art Gallery director-general Dr Mohamed Najib Ahmad Dawa said the
exhibition was significant as it commemorated 35 years of friendly relations
between Malaysia and China, capped by the recent visit of Prime Minister Najib
Tun Razak to Beijing.

"What makes it special is the sharp observation of a foreign artist to
transform the beauty and prosperity of Malaysia's rich culture and landscape
into enthralling art pieces," he told Bernama as we walked along, admiring the
display.

Zhang Zhou has captured not only a number of popular tourist destinations in
detail on canvas but also the country's flora, fauna and habitat.

"Look at this painting of the elephant ... the difference between the
Malaysian elephant and the African elephant is the ears, that's what he told
me," he said, showing the large piece of artwork at a strategic spot in the
gallery.

Commissioned by a Malaysian collector, the artist took six years to produce
the 100 paintings on display.

Apart from the elephant painting -- a favourite among the gallery staff, the
panoramic night view of Kuala Lumpur city centre, Penang Bridge, the Putrajaya
mosque, the Siti Khadijah Market in Kota Baharu and the national day parade are
among scenes illustrated by the 52 year-old Beijing-born artist.

At the centre of the magnificent spectrum of artworks is a huge, delicate
touch entitled "Keranamu Malaysia" (Because of you: Malaysia).

"We hope the exhibition will encourage more people to appreciate art while
we take the initiative to promote tourism in the country," said Dr Najib.

The exhibition, which began Saturday, will run until Aug 31. Admission is
free and the opening hours are from 10am to 6pm daily except on public holidays.

"This is something not to be missed as the uniqueness of his artwork
illustrates the perspective of a foreign artist towards our surroundings which
we often take for granted," Dr Najib said showing Zhang Zhou's fine drawing of
rubber trees.

The National Art Gallery, located at Jalan Tun Razak here, had 97,000
visitors last year.

-- BERNAMA