Anwar touring the gallery after the book launch on April 8, accompanied by Tiong. – BERNAMApic
KUALA LUMPUR: Empowerment of the country’s economy must go hand in hand with the empowerment of arts and culture because they are symbols of the nation's integrity, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the Ismail Zain Intermediations: Selected Writings on Art and Aesthetics book launch at the National Art Gallery here on Tuesday (April 8), Anwar said the development of civilisation would be hampered without persistent efforts to elevate those aspects.
"Economic empowerment is inadequate without the empowerment of arts and culture because what determines the integrity of a country and society, as well as the growth of civilisation, are political stability (and) economic strength, but the empowerment of arts and culture is also important.
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"That is why in the concept of Madani, while economic sustainability is a core value, I have never left out the values of creativity, compassion and trust, which complement the personal values of humanity,” he said.
Present at the book launch were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his deputy Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, ministry secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, National Visual Arts Development Board chairman Shaik Rizal Sulaiman and the board's director-general Amerrudin Ahmad.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister called on the Tourism Ministry, the National Art Gallery, artists, and arts and culture-related centres to join hands in thinking of new measures to ensure that the people are given understanding, enlightenment and exposure to local works of art.
"We talk about energy transition or digital transformation, but if it causes a gap between groups that have the ability to dominate the field and new wealth but marginalises the majority of the people, it does not give meaning to economic growth.
"This is our challenge. We need to talk about works of art and thinkers of the nation.
"Hopefully, our efforts will further introduce great figures in the art world, and today, through Ismail Zain, we can take several steps forward, including at the National Art Gallery, the National Library and the National Archives,” he said.
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Anwar also described the work of artist, curator, educator and art thinker Ismail as providing an overview of his philosophy on the combination of traditional society with the need to bring about change and accept modernity.
The publication of the book was made possible through a collaboration between the National Art Gallery and Fergana Art, compiling 33 texts written by Ismail from 1972 to 1989.
The book, edited by TK Sabapathy, Eddin Khoo, Jaafar Ismail, with the main translation by Pauline Fan, includes Ismail's greatest works in one volume, with the main writing in Bahasa Malaysia and translated into English. – Bernama
