Art History in the Making

The Sarawak Art Museum was officially opened in Kuching in September 2006 by YB Tuan Haji bin Haji Hamden, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Assistant Minister of Youth Affairs whom was representing YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The museum building itself is rich in history as it was originally
built during the post-war era, reaching completion at the end of 1949. From the
1950s onwards, the building has had various occupants, including the Public
Library, the British Council and the Education Department. Prior to the
existence of the Art Museum, members of the Sarawak Art Society had notably
used this building as an exhibition space for their works.

As time began to increase the building’s ageing process,
nonetheless, the Sarawak Museum Department took it upon itself to carry out
conservation and restoration practices towards it during the 8^th
Malaysia Plan (8MP), as the Art Museum itself was a project under the 8MP.

Planning of
the utmost care was undertaken to ensure that the building’s classically
Victorian design was retained whilst minor on-site adjustments and alterations
were carried out in order to create a unique ambiance that would be enjoyed by
both the visitors and staff of the museum.

At present, the Art Museum houses numerous types of traditional art
such as art paintings, sculptures and ethnographic crafts that reflect
Sarawak’s historical material culture. Its exhibition galleries include the
permanent and temporary collections, courtyards, reference spaces and an
outdoor space for art related performances and exhibitions.

As such, the Art Museum’s
role will be to promote and cultivate an awareness and appreciation of art
amongst the local supporters as well as future art enthusiasts by hosting
exhibitions, events and programmes that would range from the facilitation of
research work to education classes and cultural exchanges between the local and
foreign universities not to mention public education and the print media.