Nuansa Seni 6.0 honours heritage artisans

Borneo Post

5 days ago

Abdul Karim, flanked by Fatimah (sixth left) and Sharifah Suzana, in a group photo with the honourees of Nuansa Seni 6.0. Also seen are (from left) Snowdan, his wife Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking and Sharifah Hasidah.
KUCHING (July 21): Sustainability was the highlight of the 'Nuansa Seni Vol 6.0', staged at Hotel Waterfront here on Sunday night.
The programme, themed 'Two Eras, One Soul', showcased collections by local designers – both seasoned and emerging – that incorporated Sarawak's traditional heritage arts such as 'keringkam' (Sarawak Malay's embroidered scarf), songket and batik, as well as other fine crafts.
'There's no new without the old. We honour all those who give patterns to this industry, which now welcomes new, young troops who bring along with them modern elements.
'However, as indicated by this programme's name, the changes should be 'nuanced' – meaning they are not drastic to a point that they pollute and destroy this art.
'That's the essence of our theme: 'two eras, one soul'. It reflects the ecosystem that we are advocating under the 'Nuansa Seni' concept.
'The sustainability message is also evident in the connection of those involved in this arts and heritage industry; between the practitioners, the consumers, and the environment,' said programme director Dr Sharifah Suzana Wan Shukran in her opening remarks.
Models wear various styles of 'keringkam' from a collection that involves a collaboration of local teachers of this traditional textile art.
On the start-up of Nuansa Seni, she said it began as an online programme during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.
'Our first feature was an online fashion show.
'Now, we have reached the sixth edition. That said, this accomplishment also brings with it very high expectations in upholding our creations of the past and the future.
'Without disregarding the age-old arts and culture, we can construct the Sarawak identity through contemporary practices.
'This, to a degree, is a form of information exchange,' she added.
Sharifah Suzana also spoke about a group of embroiderers whom she brought to a Nuansa Seni programme in Sibu last year.
'They brought along a few pieces of 'selayah' (smaller 'keringkam').
'Since then, that small group has sold more than 50 pieces.
'Many of you here would know that a 'selayah' can fetch a price of RM3,000, so you can calculate it – they now achieve a sales value of over RM150,000.
'So this is what we're trying to do,' she pointed out.
Many of the menswear collections featured in Nuansa Seni 6.0 represent a fusion of tradition and modern influences.
Apart from a showcase of tradition-embedded couture and series of cultural stage performances, Nuansa Seni 6.0 also honoured a number of local arts and heritage activists.
They are 'tikar bergerang' (traditional mat made from pandan leaves) grandmaster Ngot Bi; 'keringkam' experts Siti Sadiah Abang Nor Salleh, Mastura Sidek dan Noraini Zaidan; songket weavers Dayang Maslamah Abang Nor Salleh, Saanah Suhaili and Ramtiniwaiti Ramlee; traditional Sarawak Malay wedding make-up and style artist Kazuliah Mohammad Taufek; Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE) chairperson Datu Dr Sabariah Putit; authority on Sarawak Malay arts, heritage and culture Sabri Nor; Sarawak Malay traditional couture specialist Danny Zulkifli; heritage advisor Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan; 'keringkam' arts activist Amirul Shazli Yusof; and traditional Sarawak embroidery and stitching arts expert Norlizawati Sane.
The dignitaries present were Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, together with deputy minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan and permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Husaini; Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; and Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.