THE state government takes great interest in issues related to environmental protection as well as the endangered animals.
Thus, to show its concern towards the initiatives on the conservation of flora and fauna, the state government is contributing RM50,000 to the Artopia International Art Village in Balik Pulau.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow mentioned about the allocation at the launching ceremony of the ‘2nd ART for Wildlife & Environmental Conservation’ – International Collective Art Exhibition’ in Balik Pulau today.
The project is organised by Artopia Education Trust together with Central Kedah Art Society International Collective Art Exhibition; and curated by Dr Paul Boey.
Chow, who officially launched the exhibition today, congratulated the organisers for putting up the art exchange programme which indeed conveys a strong message to the community on the need to protect our ecosystem.
He said the organisers have taken great effort to come up with the exhibition at the Artopia International Art Village in Balik Pulau to voice out their concern for the world as well.
“Dr Boey has highlighted that they are short of funds for their conservation initiatives. Therefore, I would like to pledge an allocation of RM50,000 to help cover their expenses.
“We hope that other generous donors and art lovers will also show their support so that this special place will continue to be the beacon of hope for art, heritage and humanity,” said Chow at the ceremony this evening.
- Chow said that the special group of artist and art lovers have used their talents and skills to share a very important message with the community.
“I thank the organisers for having the foresight to invite promising youngsters from different countries to participate in this art exchange as an effort to draw our attention to the pressing issues of environmental protection and endangered animals through visual language,” he said.
Apart from that, Chow said since 2018, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) have planted almost half a million tree saplings in Penang to combat climate change.
“Most importantly, our gazzetted forest reserves remain untouched by logging activities.
“There is no doubt that Penang is an environmentally friendly and a green state but we are still exposed to natural disasters due to our geographical location.
“So, we are forming the Natural Disaster Management Unit as a precautionary measure in the face of climate change crisis and flood disasters in the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Boey said a total of 35 education institutions from four different countries are participating in the exhibition.
“The exhibition displays a total of 150 artpieces which also include the works of special children and local artists.
“Adding on to that, the Langur Project Penang (LPP) has been specially invited to share their experience on animal protection.
“There is also a huge installation artwork of ‘Langur’ using 248 tyres which took me some nine months to complete.
“You can also find other installation art, such as “Here is Chulia Street” and “Forest Pillars” as well as mural works by local mural artist Eric Lai,” he said.
Also present were State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Penang State Art Gallery chairman Lee Khai and Balik Pulau International Art Village chairman Ooi Kok Chuan.
The ‘2nd ART for Wildlife & Environmental Conservation’ – International Collective Art Exhibition’ is been held until end of this month.
It is open to public on every weekend from 10.30am to 4.30pm (free admission).
For further details, check out Balik Pulau International Art Village’s facebook at the following link
https://www.facebook.com/Balik-Pulau-International-Art-Village-2549686155257910/
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Rad