BAFM Signature Mural Wall

Mural wall by UTAR, TARUC and MIA students

In conjunction with the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia 2017 (BAFM 2017), a mural painting project was organised by the Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Association (MCCA) at the Ampang Park LRT station from 1 July 2017 to 9 July 2017. This project involved students and academics from three institutions, namely UTAR, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) and Malaysia Institute of Art College (MIA).

The BAFM 2017 Signature Mural Wall was launched on 18 July 2017 and was officiated by the Minister of Transport and President of Malaysian Chinese Association Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Consultative Council Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, and Chief Executive Officer of Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd Dato Zohari Sulaiman.

The Opening Ceremony by (from left) Datin Paduka Chew, Dato’ Sri Liow and Dato Zohari

As BAFM 2017 was a multi-ethnic event, Dato’ Sri Liow highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “It is important to promote multiculturalism in Malaysia because it flourishes the uniqueness of multi-cultural background and religion, so that our country can strive to become stronger.”

The mural wall was 25.7 meters long and focused on 5 main categories which were Arts Performances, Arts Exhibitions, Cultural and Arts Activities, Visual Arts and Arts Bazaar. It was created to promote the BAFM 2017 which will be held at Wisma MCA from 5 August 2017 to 17 August 2017.

Through this mural painting project, MCCA aims to reach out to the Malaysian youths, giving them the space to express themselves in order to facilitate the opportunity for them to appreciate Malaysian arts and culture. All the mural painting drafts submitted by students will be selected and finalised by Datin Paduka Chew.

Dato’ Sri Liow giving his opening speech

In her speech, Datin Paduka Chew also mentioned that the students have put in a great effort to bring ‘life’ and colours to the wall which has now become the BAFM 2017 mural masterpiece. “This beautiful artistic creation would have not been possible without the creative input from three of our brightest local institutions — UTAR, TARUC, and MIA. It was the creative best of 77 talented students,” said Datin Paduka Chew.

UTAR has taken the initiative to be part of this project and it was funded by Tun Tan Cheng Lock (TCLC) Center for Social and Policy Studies. This project has provided a great platform for the graphic design students from the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) to exhibit their artwork. Thirty students from Graphic Design & Multimedia Society were involved and the team was led by Department of Multimedia Design & Animation lecturer Liong Mei Yin.

Datin Paduka Chew giving her speech

“I really appreciate the effort taken by our students in volunteering for this project. They even made use of the weekends, from 8am to 6.30pm, arranged their own transport and travelled all the way from Sungai Long to Ampang Park station. It is a very good exercise for them to take this project as a community service in promoting the arts and culture in Malaysia. I hope that in the future, the young generation would take their own initiative to preserve our culture to prevent it from being lost,” said Liong.

The Chairperson of Graphic Design & Multimedia Society Chai Jit Ted was grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project. “It is my pleasure to be able to join this project. As the chairperson of UTAR Graphic Design & Multimedia Society, I’m proud that the artwork produced by my team is being exhibited to the public,” said Chai.

“It is good to see students from different institutions working together to achieve a common goal. I believe all their hard work will pay off when the passers-by get attracted to their fascinating artworks,” said Bernard, a committee member from MCCA who is also the person in charge of this project. He added, all the artworks will be maintained after the event to beautify the subway. 

Mural painting in progress

From left: FCI Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Datin Paduka Chew, Dato Zohari, Dato’ Sri Liow, Liong, Lai Zhi Qing, Cheng Siang Kian and TCLC Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chin Yee Mun

 

Prepared by

Students from Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons), UTAR

Chan Shen Onn 
Ng Shok Man