KOTA KINABALU: Visitors to the newly launched Wonders of Wilderness (WoW) 1.0 exhibition centred round marine species and ecosystems are inspired to come and consider the artwork undertaking from a unique perspective.
Project lead artist Japson Wong, a marine biologist, mentioned as an alternative of trying on the gadgets on show as mere art work manufactured from recycled supplies, they need to dwell on the which means behind it as properly.
“This project encourages all of us to appreciate art and also increase our awareness on marine conservation through these installations,” he mentioned through the launch of the undertaking within the metropolis on Sunday (Jan 16).
He mentioned the WoW 1.0 undertaking, which can be on show on the former colonial Lands and Surveys Office constructing in entrance of Suria Sabah Mall till Jan 15 subsequent yr, was impressed by Sabah’s wealthy marine heritage and variety.
Wong mentioned the exhibition reveals amongst others, 20 life-size sculptures made with polycarbonate and fibreglass in addition to murals of Sabah’s coastal villagers and marine species.
The sculptures embrace the mighty Bryde’s whale, a turtle, white tip shark, Irrawaddy dolphin, dugong, spinner dolphin, hammerhead shark, manta ray and whale shark.
“We want to showcase how marine life is and how the people of Sabah, especially coastal communities interact and live harmoniously with our marine species,” he mentioned.
One of the primary artists for the undertaking, Rosmaini Sunarjo defined that the undertaking was constructed on the oblong web site, which signifies Sabah as a state, with its ‘insides’ portraying the wonders of nature that the state has to supply.
“If we take a closer look inside, there are several stickers with the words ‘fragile, handle with care,’ written on it and this is a reminder for us to take good care of our state, our environment and our sea,” he mentioned.
Rosmaini mentioned the ground, painted to seem like the seabed from the internal depths to the shallow components of the shore, created a way of “awakening”.
“It shows how we will be able to rise up and breathe again,” he mentioned.
Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Yakub Khan, who officiated the occasion, mentioned the undertaking would encourage more artists to come out and showcase their abilities, diversify their creativity and most significantly, create awareness on marine life.
“We will be able to learn about the effects of unsustainable developments, industrial activities and uncontrolled economic programmes,” he mentioned.
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