Celebrating artistic talents

RECENTLY, the Nando's Art Initiative 2017 celebrated its 10th year of changing the lives of young artists in Malaysia at Publika, Kuala Lumpur.
In the past decade, the initiative has showcased over 500 pieces of artworks by more than 400 young artists from across the nation.
This year's initiative received 578 entries from 46 local colleges and universities, out of which 61 were shortlisted and are being displayed at Publika until this Friday.
Nando's Malaysia and Singapore group CEO Mac Chung Lynn said: "It has been a humbling experience for me to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented young artists.
"In line with our global direction of 'changing the lives of youths', I hope this platform will continue to grow to even greater heights, and that the Nando's Art Initiative will be a driving force in changing the lives of youths in Malaysia."
This year's Nando's Art Initiative features two categories: Fine Arts and Digital Arts.
The grand prize of RM5,000 cash, Nando's vouchers worth RM500, a sponsored solo exhibition, and mentorship, went to Ong Hieng Fuong in the Fine Arts category, and Nurul Atika Nordin in the Digital Arts category.
Ong's oversized art piece entitled City No.8337, is described as an Ukiyo-e, or Japanese style woodblock print.
Unlike traditional Ukiyo-e artwork, Ong used a technical pen, marker pen, and ink wash to create a piece that, in the end, looks distinctively Chinese.
The work itself is a commentary on everything Malaysia, from the people to politics and persistent social problems, all peppered with his observations.
Ong, who was travelling in China at the time, was represented by his friend, Sua Heng Han, at the prize-giving ceremony.
Nurul's digital art piece called Terrarium City takes inspiration from the sealable glass container containing soil and plants people use to decorate their work and living space, and turns the idea inside out.
She imagines the world where nature is kept at bay, while humanity – lulled by technology and development – is stuck in a bell jar, enthralled by the glow of a handphone.
Other notable entries include Ching Chen En's Vestige of Life, and Leow Xu Jia's The Artist's Cabinet, both of which tied for the first runner-up spot in the Fine Arts category.
Cheong See Min's Women Poetry won the second runner-up prize in the same category.
For the Digital Arts category, the first runner-up prize went to Freeda Jane Madius' Beyond the Page, whileWong Xin Hui's Story Time at Grandma's Kedai Runcit took the second runner-up spot.
The first runner-up winners received RM3,000 cash and Nando's vouchers worth RM500, while the second runner-up winners took home RM2,000 cash and Nando's vouchers worth RM500.
Consolation prize winners were Muhammad Ibrahim Khairulsani, Ong Cai Bin and Liew Mei Toong in the Fine Arts category; and Muhammad Aidil Mohd Aziz, Muhammad Riduan Raja Yunus and Ong En Kiat in the Digital Arts category.
They each got Nando's vouchers worth RM500.
All winning entries will be showcased in a sponsored group exhibition, which will be announced soon.