Malaysian Artist gets exposure in Korea

9 September 2024

SEOUL: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), in collaboration with the National Art Gallery Malaysia, supported by the Teluk Intan Municipal Council and Tourism Malaysia, proudly presents the exhibition of young artist Zulkefli Jais titled "Project Temporary Marking" at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju and the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul, South Korea.

This exhibition is part of the Gwangju Biennale 2024, scheduled to run from 7th September 2024 to 1st December 2024.

The Malaysia Pavilion, showcasing Zulkefli Jais' artwork, was honored by the presence of Datuk Wira Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General of MOTAC.

Also in attendance were Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Korea, Amerrudin Ahmad, Director-General of the National Art Gallery Malaysia, and Lee Kanghyun, President of the Asia Culture Centre (ACC), alongside senior officials from MOTAC and the National Art Gallery Malaysia.

Zulkefli Jais' participation in this prestigious art event is a significant recognition for the country. It highlights the growth of contemporary art in Malaysia and marks an important achievement in his journey towards global recognition.

The "Project Temporary Marking" installation at Menara Condong, Teluk Intan, Perak, showcases vests that represent Menara Condong as a prominent landmark of the town.

The artwork delves into the intersection of the town's geography and history, while also reflecting Zulkefli Jais' personal memories as a native of Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia.

Each vest in the artwork symbolizes the emotions and memories associated with past disasters that impacted the town's residents, serving as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of history.

The artwork will be presented alongside a 6-minute and 2-second documentary, which will be screened multiple times during the exhibition.

This documentary delves into the intriguing history of Menara Condong, featuring a bell that rings hourly according to Malaysia Time (MYT), offering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artwork.

According to Amerrudin Ahmad, Director-General of the National Art Gallery Malaysia, "The National Art Gallery Malaysia sees the opportunity to elevate local young artists to higher platforms.

This artist was selected after undergoing a challenging process in the Young Contemporary Competition, where he competed with numerous other participants before being announced as the winner of the Major Award.”

“His participation in the Gwangju Biennale 2024 provides new inspiration and momentum for him. Through this exposure, we hope he will continue to shine as a talented young artist and represent Malaysia on the global stage."

“Additionally, we extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to the two curators representing the National Art Gallery Malaysia - Erry Arham Azmi and Syahrul Niza Ahmad Zaini, for their unwavering commitment and significant contributions to the success of this exhibition,” he said.