Shahar Koyok - 2017 | Merdeka Award

Shahar Koyok

Recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community 2017

Institution

National Art Gallery of Australia
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand
The EDEN Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Indigenous Arts and National Narratives: A Comparative Study of Indigenous People's Art and Representation within National Institutions

Health, Science and Technology

Dato' Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Recipient for Year 2022

Something that is worth doing is often tough, but the rewards can be big.

Painting A Clearer Picture on Indigenous Culture

He was 5 years old when a traumatic experience changed his view about the world. During that time a land developer had encroached the jungle that surrounded Shahar Koyok’s village and that unfortunate event left a lasting impression on him forever.

Shahar ‘Shaq’ Koyok was born in the indigenous Temuan tribe of Selangor, specifically in Pulau Kempas, Banting, where he lived a typical Orang Asli life. A proponent of sustainable living, his childhood home was built using twigs, leaves and other jungle materials - a reflection of the community’s resourcefulness and respect to nature. He and his family gathered plants and crops from the jungle for food and sold vegetables to earn extra money for his school expenses. Like all indigenous people, they adhered to the concept of sustainability by taking only what they need from the forest.

His talent for art emerged early - he started painting with oil pastels at the age of five, using art as a means to express his feelings about his surroundings.

Drawing art not for art’s sake

His paintings exclusively feature Orang Asli subjects, emphasizing their culture and heritage. It is his way of showing his commitment to defending his tribe’s indigenous rights that has made him a prominent figure in fighting for forest and land preservation.

Now a well-known contemporary artist, his work explores a variety of mediums from contemporary painting to installation art, aiming to capture the tensions and pressures faced by the indigenous communities whose lives interact with and pay reverence to the natural environment in a modern Malaysian state.

In 2017, he was awarded the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, making him the first Orang Asli to ever receive the accolade which identifies outstanding young Malaysians.

In his study titled "Indigenous Arts and National Narratives: A Comparative Examination of Indigenous People's Art and Representation within National Institutions," Shaq aims to explore the key factors that enhance public comprehension of indigenous culture. This involves investigating how indigenous art is represented and integrated into national narratives.

Art form with the power of change

The international attachment has granted him the opportunity to participate in collaborative projects at prestigious institutions.

He was able to learn and visit renowned galleries and museums, including the National Art Gallery of Australia, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, and The EDEN Project in Cornwall, UK. The insights he gained are crucial as it sets the path of his research, allowing him to adapt the findings to the local context.

Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.

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