'Glimpses of Mindanao' is highlight of Kuala Lumpur exhibit

Despite the clash between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian forces in Sabah a few months back, Mindanao will soon be the main feature in a Kuala Lumpur exhibit.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday evening the culture and heritage of Mindanao will be the highlight at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center starting May 6.

 

“Malaysians have a natural affinity with Mindanao, especially in terms of culture and way of life. The exhibit aims to uniquely showcase the similarities existing in Mindanao and Malaysian cultures through the visual arts,” Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Jose Eduardo Malaya III said. 

 

“We also consider the mounting of this exhibit featuring Muslim and Christian artists as part of the journey towards deeper mutual understanding, unity, and peace among the peoples of Mindanao,” he added.

 

Dubbed "Glimpses of Mindanao: Peace in the Land of Promise," the exhibit will open at Level 1 Center Core of the KL Convention Center. It will feature the works of renowned Mindanao-based artists Al-Nezzar Ali, Saud Ahmad, Chester Mato and Nicholas Aca Jr. On-the-spot paintings by visual artist Nemesio Miranda, Jr. are also included. Miranda chairs the Committee of Visual Arts of the Philippine National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

 

The event also serves as a kick-off activity to commemorate the 115th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, the DFA said. After its opening, it will be open to the public starting May 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will run until May 10.

 

The exhibit opens in the shadow of the recent standoff between Kiram's followers in February, deadly clashes at the start of March, and Malaysian offensives in Sabah shortly after the fighting. But the DFA also noted that Malaysia had played a major role in peace efforts between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a framework peace agreement on the Bangsamoro political entity last October.

 

The DFA said Al-Nezzar Ali seeks to show "significant realities" in Mindanao in general and the issues concerning Bangsamoro society in particular by using "rich cultural heritage that bring forth influence and inspiration to others, as well as create dialogue and interaction towards openness, peace and respect."

 

The artist Saud Ahmad also seeks to use contemporary expressions and vibrant cultural traditions of the Filipino Muslim community to bridge "the values of past to the present and to render them relevant to the next generation."

 

In the exhibit, the works of Chester Mato meantime illustrate the interweaving of culture and technology each affecting the other in a sequential manner. 

 

"The concept also protects and preserves the cultural richness and identity of Mindanao by using the gifts of technology, thus bringing up progress for the said land of promise," the DFA said. – KDM, GMA News