UBD showcases top creative talents

The theme for the recent art exhibition organised by the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Art Club called "The Unseen" is befitting as it showcases the hidden artistic talents available within young Bruneians today.

The recent wave of interest to develop the creative industries has seen more and more art exhibitions held to recognise and showcase local artistic talents.

Held at Citi Square from June 20 to June 24, "The Unseen" features art pieces and sculptures by students majoring in Art and Creative Technology at the local university. All in all there were 33 art pieces and 16 sculptures.

The arts have been a field overlooked in Brunei possibly due to the lack of importance it is seen to hold in terms of career prospects. Only until the recent buzz on creative industry development has the arts receive increased recognition and acceptance most especially with the availability of art degree courses available at the local university.

For most art lovers and art enthusiasts, especially among the young aspiring local artists, the recent creative buzz is like a light of hope for them. More and more platforms are now available to build upon their artistic talents as it is finally a recognised and accepted area of knowledge.

Twenty-year-old Nooradilah Moksin is thankful that the art exhibition held this time round is set up at an area popular among the locals with a range of shops, eateries and coffeeshops available in close proximity.

"Even though it is not a big major exhibition, but it is good enough as it is being organised at a place where people actually want to come and visit. Even though they do not intend to visit an art exhibition but while they are here, they automatically drop by and view our work. This can help open their minds about art," said Nooradilah.

A few years back Nooradilah was chosen to represent her sixth form school to attend an ASEAN Youth Camp held in Vietnam and found the experience to be an eye-opener especially in terms of the recognition of art in other ASEAN countries compared to Brunei.

"I realised that in other countries art is well-recognised and deemed very important in its society. While I was there I was exposed to different people, new skills and exchange knowledge with other students. It was a good opportunity for me," said Nooradilah.

Nooradilah agrees that the theme of "The Unseen" is suitable for the nature of work shown in the exhibition.

"Getting clients and selling art should be of a lesser priority than showing people the talent we have, what we have learnt in art and the skills and creativity within local artists," said Nooradilah.

Hj Muhd Na'imullah Hj Mohd Sabri is a 21-year-old art and creative technology student at UBD who believes that the current creative buzz is a good opportunity to have young artists venture into more progressive forms of art.

"I am into pop art and sometimes I do realise that the older generation find it hard accepting more modern forms of art. Young Bruneians should try different forms of art to go further," said Hj Muhd Na'imullah

For most of the young artists, art plays a significant role in their young lives.

"I have always been interested in art, for me art is a part of my life. It is a way to express myself and also a hobby to release my tension," said 21- year-old Nadir Abdullah, an art and creative technology student at UBD.

Being able to showcase their art pieces is like a breath of fresh air for young artists.

It is as if their emotions expressed through art is in a way validated through such art exhibitions.

"As young artists in Brunei our mission is to open up the minds of Bruneians to accept art. We want to try and develop art further in Brunei as art surrounds us," said Nadir.

The Brunei Times