FOR Sarawakian artist Brandon Ritom, a 10-day art expedition across the state not only inspired new paintings but also gave him the chance to see his home from a fresh perspective.
Organised by Hoan Gallery, the project brought together more than 20 artists from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for a road trip from June 10-18.
Starting in Miri, the group travelled through Bintulu, Mukah, Sibu, Sri Aman and Kuching, sketching and painting on location along the way.
For Brandon, even as a Sarawakian, the journey was an eye-opener.
“It was my first time as an adult doing the full drive all the way to Miri, where I used to grow up, although my family is in Kuching.
“Because Sarawak is such a large place, it was also a case of reacquainting myself with how things have changed in terms of development, the cultural landscape and the shift away from traditional sectors like oil and gas towards cultural preservation, agribusiness and positioning Kuching as a cultural capital,” he said.
The diverse mix of artists, spanning different ages, backgrounds and experience levels, also made the expedition especially rewarding.
“We’re privileged and grateful to be able to collaborate and work alongside artists from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and even all the way from Thailand,” Brandon said.
“It was nice to learn and share skills, swap stories about the trip and enrich ourselves by learning from one another’s experiences.”
The expedition took the artists to cultural and historic sites across Sarawak, including Kampung Wireless in Miri, Fort Alice in Sri Aman and Kuching’s Main Bazaar, as well as longhouses and local markets.
These visits allowed them to capture everyday scenes and interpret them in their own styles, offering fresh perspectives on Sarawak’s landscapes, heritage and daily life.
Selected works from the expedition were showcased in a one-day preview at Hoan Gallery on June 23.
The artists will now create new pieces for a group exhibition, Under Sarawak Skies, which opens on Sept 16.
Brandon said his contributions will focus mainly on portraits of traditional and contemporary cultural practitioners.
“Most of my personal work is based on looking at contemporary depictions of Sarawakian culture and learning about the new practitioners of cultural traditions such as hand tattooing.
“I also get to see changing landscapes and perspectives compared to 15 or 20 years ago, what the people retain or adapt in modern times and how they promote their culture while maintaining its authenticity.
“For me, it’s not just about preserving culture through my paintings, it’s a form of cultural documentation and research as well.”
Singapore-based Sarawakian artist Marvin Chew said the expedition was designed to foster friendships among the participating artists while introducing them to Sarawak’s diverse cultures, lifestyles and landscapes, encouraging each artist to interpret those experiences through their own work.
“Our schedule was quite demanding and fast-paced. We did two to three painting sessions a day sometimes,” he said.
Chew added that the exhibition was deliberately scheduled to open on Malaysia Day.
“It is a timely moment for us to consolidate the masterpieces produced by our local talents from Malaysia, as well as our friends from Singapore and Thailand,” he said.
For Thai artist Muhammad Rojana-udomsat, the highlight was discovering Sarawak’s rich culture.
“I liked visiting the villages and seeing the indigenous cultures. I also really liked the market in Sibu and seeing live chickens wrapped in newspaper,” he said, adding that he completed 23 watercolour sketches during the trip.
Malaysian Watercolour Society chairman Calvin Chua said the artists experienced some of Sarawak’s most beautiful and distinctive places, from rainforests and bustling cities to quiet towns and culturally rich villages.
“No matter where we were, we were always accompanied by good food and good company. The warm welcome by the locals made the experience even more memorable.
“All these moments became inspiration for our works. The artworks you see here were created from our sketches, based on observations and experiences throughout this trip.
“You will be able to see Sarawak through the eyes of artists and perhaps discover something new,” he said.
