Pillows tied on trees symbolise appreciation of nature

22 September 2024

By AVV

KOTA KINABALU: When visiting the 11th edition of Installation Art by the Bay @KK 2024, taking place at Tanjung Aru Beach one might wonder at the pillows tied to trees.

It's actually themed "Nature's Gift of Trees" a project to expand globally to foster a greater appreciation for trees.

Initiated by the Deco Art Group, this project was one of those featured with the 11 art installations showcasing the creativity of participants from Singapore, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Denmark.

During the launch of the exhibition, which runs from September 20 to 23, Organising Chairperson Christianne Goonting shared a poignant tale behind the pillows.

“A group of elderly citizens transformed their old pillows into a stunning art piece. They tied the pillows with bows onto trees to symbolise gifts from mature nature and from God.”

“The promotion of these artworks aims to convey a vital message about environmental conservation. Each creation carries a unique message, encouraging viewers to reflect on how they can contribute to saving the environment,” Christianne said.

She noted that the exhibition has garnered an enthusiastic response from visitors, and some participants have even turned their upcycled artworks into thriving businesses.

The goal of the installation is to inspire people to engage with the visual messages behind each piece.

“For instance, tying pillows to the trees illustrates the idea that trees are invaluable, urging us to reconsider any impulse to destroy them. "

"The visual appeal serves as an initial draw—art captures attention, allowing audiences to uncover its deeper purpose,” she explained.

The event was officially launched by Thonny Chee, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Pelancongan, who expressed his hope that more people worldwide would cherish and protect trees.

Thonny in his launching sppeech said yhis year’s theme, "Striving for Sustainability," emphasizes the importance of upcycling reusable materials.

" I am thrilled to see 11 art installations from talented teams across Sabah and international participants from the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Denmark-Finland," he said.

He noted that the materials used in these installations—scrap metal, plastic, cardboard, tree branches, leaves, and even fabrics—once considered waste, have been transformed into vibrant narratives that challenge us to reconsider our consumption habits.

"Each piece serves as a bold statement on the environmental challenges we face and a call to action that resonates deeply with all of us.".