THE Penang government, through its Tourism and Creative Economy office, is providing opportunities for caricaturists to take part in the Vaccine ‘Carry’ Cature Programme at Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs).
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the presence of the caricaturists would enliven the atmosphere at the PPVs.
“By allowing the artists to be at the PPVs, they can generate income by painting the faces of the vaccine recipients.
“They can also capture the movements of the individuals who are present at the PPVs such as the facilitators and the general public through their artwork to make the place livelier,” said Yeoh after the launching of the programme at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on Aug 31.
“This programme is not only unique and interesting, but also is in line with the government’s aim to help the community in the creative industry.
“Many activists in the creative economy have lost their source of income due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, by placing the caricature artists at the PPVs, they can at least earn some money by drawing the faces of the visitors.
“Programmes such as this will help to restore the livelihoods of these artists in stages and at the same time will expose Penangites to our local talents in the creative industry.”
Yeoh said Penang currently has three renowned caricaturists who have vast knowledge and experience in caricatures and have participated in various art-based programmes organised locally and out of Penang.
He said they would take roughly five to 10 minutes to draw a caricature portrait.
Yeoh added that the programme demonstrates the state government’s commitment and dedication to further boost the creative economy sector for the future.
“If this sector can be developed, then we believe that it will become one of the significant contributors to Penang’s gross domestic product (GDP),’’ Yeoh said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of PETACE office