First art retreat to promote Merimbun Heritage Park

THE first art retreat at the Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park in Tutong District was launched yesterday in a bid to promote the scenic nature spot.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Dr Hj Baharuddin Arus, a lecturer at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHHBIE) at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) said that the art retreat was also "a good move" for the local arts movement.

With an abundance of flora and fauna at the Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, he expressed optimism for the group of 20 undergraduate students from UBD to gain inspiration in their artwork.

"Through this art retreat, it is hoped that the Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park will be promoted and that our local artists will be inspired by the nature. Art cannot produce or perform in a vacuum, hence it's important for us to keep exploring," he said.

Dr Hj Baharuddin urged local artists to discover the "treasures" of Tasek Merimbum Heritage Park and its vicinity.

"Besides the nature found in the heritage park, there is also a kampung nearby. This is a great opportunity for our local artists to integrate the culture of the village people into their artwork," he said.

He elaborated that art is produced in the perimeter of culture and can be used as metaphor for life as well as concepts and ideas.

Another lecturer at the SHHBIE, Khalid Othman, also called on local artists to explore the Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park as "good art lies in good content".

"In the last 20 years, I have yet to see a good example of artwork inspired by the Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park," he remarked.

The lecturer said that the three-day art retreat, which began yesterday, was the first "extensive exploration" conducted by local artists. "Photographers have already done this. It's about time our local artists do the same," he said.

When asked why he has "yet to see a good example" of artwork inspired by Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, he explained that it could be due to lack of awareness about the park.

"I asked the participants here if they knew about the park and some of them don't even know where Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park is. A good place like this should be known to everyone, not just the tourists, but especially the locals," he said.

The lecturers, who will be sharing their skills and experience with the participants, expressed hopes for the art retreat to become an annual event.

Organised by the Art Gallery Section at the Museums Department, the art retreat was initiated as a result of the three-day National Policy Forum on Creative Industries, which was held in May at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre. The Brunei Times