How do you capture the essence of the
“Spirit of Merdeka” for posterity?
This was the challenge put to some of Malaysia’s most promising contemporary artists by GALERI PETRONAS recently.
The result – a stunning exhibition featuring Merdeka Award recipients from 2008 – 2013, aptly titled:
Celebrating the Culture of Excellence.
Six years into the Merdeka Award’s journey, the exhibition creates the opportunity for the Merdeka Award to showcase the distinct and individual personalities of its recipients over the years. It is a tribute to their relentless pursuit of excellence and their commitment to going beyond the call of duty; in short to their very manifestation of the
“Spirit of Merdeka”.
By coming together with GALERI PETRONAS to stage the exhibition, the Merdeka Award hopes to cultivate an appreciation of the arts, science, technology and discoveries, and inspire and excite young Malaysians to explore and pursue their passions for the benefit of the nation.
The exhibition is being held alongside the Nobel Museum’s
“Sketches of Science” exhibition, which takes the complex discoveries made by Nobel Laureates and adds a creative element that expresses well on paper. The
“Sketches of Science” exhibition has been brought to Malaysia by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).
Seventeen talented Malaysian artists, including the likes of Datuk Azman Yusuff, Gan Chin Lee, Jeganathan Ramachandran and Hairani Mohammad, have been commissioned by the organisers to portray the Merdeka Award recipients in interesting perspectives and different media to further enrich the exhibition experience.
While these works of arts are objects of great beauty, their true significance lie in the achievements they represent.
Collectively, these 22 individuals and 2 organisations have made significant and sustainable contributions to the growth and advancement of Malaysia in areas as diverse as medicine, research, environment, architecture, education, welfare, and agriculture.
The works of art, the photographs, the memorabilia and the many personal items these Merdeka Award recipients have loaned to make this exhibition extra special are merely the tip of the iceberg to their compelling stories.
The
“Merdeka Award: Celebrating the Culture of Excellence” exhibition will be organised at GALERI PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, from December 12, 2013, to January 19, 2014.
A number of interesting activities are being planned in conjunction with this exhibition, including a series of
Café Scientifique talks by eminent Malaysian scientists.
For Malaysians around the country and abroad who are not able to visit the exhibition, a virtual tour will be launched in coming weeks. More information on the Merdeka Award and the
“Merdeka Award: Celebrating the Culture of Excellence” exhibition is available at
www.merdekaaward.my
Visit GALERI PETRONAS at Level 3, Suria KLCC
Free admission
Tuesday – Sunday
10.00am – 8.00pm
Like GALERI PETRONAS Facebook page:
http://facebook.com/GALERIPETRONAS
