Penang Pesta Art Competition 2011

Pesta Open Art Competition 2011 was launched by the Minister of Finance for the Penang State whoose open statement was "I am Lost!". Great! A finance minister who is lost officiated an Art exhibition, what else has he lost? This is to be taken in humor off course! But the man was gracious enough to take his time and honor the invitation for his presence.

When i walked into the ceremony Askandar was at the podium giving his apologetic spill on why art should never be allowed to have competitions especially for the children, the negative effect outweighs the positive. I agree with him and as he went on it has never been easy to judge on works of art which should be chosen as winners or losers as Art is subjective to say the least. Is there any alternative approach towards awarding good works without the sense of competitiveness among the participants? We give awards to encourage those who are worthy of support for their achievements but do we need to chose via a competition which allows for winners as well as losers.? Perhaps the word 'Competition' should not to have been used in the first place in the Exhibition Title. Another way perhaps is in the form of purchasing of the art pieces by the Gallery or sponsorship by private companies and institutions based on recommendations by the  selection committee. 

Some of the winners and the officials that were on hand to launch the show and the Chinese gentleman in the foreground is Peter a friend of mine through Lee Khai. Peter is a member of the Penang Art Gallery Committee member.. My complain about the exhibition was voiced in the Facebook sometime ago as to why an "Open Art Competition for the State has an age limit that bars those above forty from entering. My complain was noted  and I think they might even reconsider the age clause in the future. My contention  was not just based on my personal feeling alone but those of my peers who have been the pillars of support to the Art Scene here in Penang. Most of these 'Old Timers' felt slighted to say the least and there even was even hints on the fact that The Pernang State Art Gallery is in the habit of practicing cronyism. These are issues that one listens to and  sometimes it is an injustice to the society if it is let to slide by as of no consequential to one personally. It is not an easy thing to please everyone in any circumstances however the consequence is even harder to swallow as it is divisive.   

There was understandingly enough a mark absence of the  regular older members of the Penang Art scene at the opening except for the likes of me who had nothing better to and an obligation to keep for my friends like Aizuan above who was part of the entry. This is actually one of his first work of Art which to in itself is not too bad but being chosen by the Judges as worth being entered into a State Art level  of an exhibition is something that the committee has to look into of what its ramification can be for others who have been involve in art most of their lives. The conversations that is being carried on even among non artists on this matter is left up to your imagination. Hence how does one value art or does it really have anymore value? The 'Artist' is my closest friend and I have no doubt that he has strong believe in his own abilities as an artist and I am very happy for him. Had i entered my piece and was rejected, how would I feel knowing what I know?

Just as an example and no implication meant whatsoever towards the above piece of sculpture or its owner, hence if i were to go to Thailand say and bought this piece and brought it back for the show would anyone be the wiser? Nope it is not an easy task to run such an event no doubt about it especially at the highest level such as the State Art Gallery. But I believe that the committee members are made up of some of the most intelligent men and ladies and ways and means will be found to over such minor discrepancies that still plagues such an institution.  

As far as the artworks were it was a splendid collection of works  from a n assorted  group of artists in rems of age and background. I was glad that there was hardly any so called abstract splash or weird paintings that for me is difficult to stomach other than the fact that it yells out "I can't paint worth a crap!." Perhaps i am or have become of the "Old School' now that i about to approach my Golden Age , however it has been my content  when it comes to the so called modern art or abstract pieces of splashes and meaningless sploshes of paint on canvass something is just not right. It is like a the masses has been conned by the con-artists, artists who stumbles upon an attractive technique or way of applying paint on canvass and sold these works in the art market to someone who is somehow attracted to them for no rhyme or reason.Hence one gets comments like "My five year old can do better than that!" How have art slipped to this level of decay? But if it is what makes money why not??

 Some of the sculpture entries were pretty cool , like the old bicycle that  has a U-turn body attached to it, that's pretty clever!

Three professional artists friends.