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10 A R T S by Fong Wai Ling L ocated in Jalan Gelenggang, Bukit Damansara, the double-storey bungalow has more than meets the eye. It houses Galeri Chandan founded by trio Mohammad Nazli Abdul Aziz, a chartered building professional, Faisal Ghazali, an interior designer, currently the president of the Malaysian Society of Interior Designers, and Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, a politician and prominent name in the banking industry, as the patron. Galeri Chandan is part of ThreeHundredSixty group, a multi-disciplinary design, development and management rm. While ThreeSixty Art Development Studio carves its niche in the commercial sector, Galeri Chandan hosts contemporary art. Chandan is a place located in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The majestic Istana Iskandriah sits on Bukit Chandan. Mention Chandan and it is a place that evokes Perak’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. The three founders, who all originated from Perak, found the name to be signicant for starting their gallery. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition titled, “Semangat Chandan” was a showcase of the works of 21 artists from Perak, a signicant and poignant move to marks its inception. Since then, there were many other prominent exhibitions housed at the gallery. I Miss Him So Much : Our Hearts For Yours is a worthy mention, as it is was the art community’s contribution to society. A collaborative effort with Killer Batch MRSM Kulim Alumni and Sabah Credit Corporation, it was to raise money to build a hostel for secondary school students in the remote town of Kiulu, Tamparuli, Sabah. The hostel is to be named “Asrama Donni” in remembrance of an 11-year-old boy who committed suicide to ease his family’s nancial burden. This charity, participated by more than 40 local artists, has raised more than RM100,000. Another signicant recent exhibition comprised the nalists’ works for the Malaysia Emerging Artist Award. The MEA is seen as a grand gesture to ll the void of prominent awards and to revitalise the local art scene. Galeri Chandan was founded on the noble intention of investing in the future of Malaysian arts. The ThreeSixty Art Development group positions themselves as a corporate art gallery that caters to all levels of the art i ndustry. With high aspirations for the local art scene, Mohammad Nazli believes that with fertile ground to live and grow coupled with the right ingredients, the Malaysian art scene will ourish. It will also be recognised as a Filling The Void In Malaysian Art The goal is simple. Nurture the young of today for the art of tomorrow. From the collaboration of Galeri Chandan and House of MATAHATI (HOM), comes the Malaysia Emerging Artist (MEA) Award. A brand new chapter for the Malaysian art industry, the MEA A ward will ll the void left by prominent art awards of the nineties that opened doors for many young Malaysian talents. The award aims to give emerging visual artists due recognition and better opportunities. “Our bid is to invest in the future of Malaysian art. There is a lot of untapped talent out there and the MEA will offer them the right platform to develop their professional career,” states Nazli Aziz, managing director of Galeri Chandan. “HOM believes that young artists not only need moral support, but also nancial support to ensure they are able to continuously produce art,” states Bayu Utomo Radjikin of HOM. Open to all Malaysians aged 18 to 35 years, the call for entries began in July. Out of the many applications received, only 40 artists made it to the nal round. All artworks were produced within the last two years and there was no theme or size for participants to adhere to. A total of 94 artworks which features a mixture of two and three-dimension al pieces were showcased in a two-week exhibition at Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 4-18. Five winners were selected by the MEA’s judging panel made up of senior artists, academicians, collectors and industry experts. Each winner walked away with the cash prize of RM3,000, a trophy, RM2,000 in vouchers for art supplies, a coveted solo exhibition, and a 10-day travel grant to Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A STAGE FOR MALAYSIAN ARTS Galeri Chandan evokes the grandeur of Perak heritage. 19 - 23 NOVEMBER MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre progressive and dynamic one in the r egion and also in the world. Galeri Chandan is one of the exhibitors at the Arts Expo Malaysia 2009 from Nov 19 to 23. You can view Galeri Chandan’s pieces under the ThreeHundredSixty group at Booth 1 during the exhibition.
