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Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Edric Ong: Sarawak's art emissary to the world
Edric is one of many responsible for making Sarawak better known throughout the world. AMONG some Sarawakians, past and present, who have been responsible for making Sarawak better known throughout the world is Edric Ong, a scion of one of the state's established families. He himself is a fifth generation Ong, whose forefathers had served and been honoured from the time of the Brookes. Born in Kuching on April 12, 1953, Edric was educated at St Thomas' School, and spent his first year undergoing studies for an agricultural subject at Serdang College before opting for a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture at University of Singapore where he graduated in 1977. After the compulsory state-government stint at the Public Works Department (JKR), he joined the Malaysian Associate Architects for a period and undertook many projects with them. He set up his own architectural practice, under Edric Ong Architect, but in 1986, decided to devote full time to his passion for the arts, fashion design and the promotion of Sarawak's heritage cultural arts especially in the field of textiles, specialising in the Iban' Pua Kumbu textile and founded the Society Atelier Sarawak in 1993. It is nigh impossible to detail out Edric's achievements; when I had asked for it for my research for this column, I was given a list that had filled 16 A4 pages! So where to begin? Edric founded Eon Company in 1983; pre-empting Malaysia's national car distributor EON by a year. But then, his was a partnership whereas EON was a 'berhad' (public limited) company. He still uses that name today. Besides being the president of Society Atelier Sarawak, Edric has held various other prominent positions in national and international organisations: World Crafts Council (Asia Pacific) as advisor past senior vice-president; Asean Handicraft AHPADA as president; World Eco-Fibre and Textile (WEFT) Forum as executive director; Crafts Council of Malaysia as exco member since 1998; World Batik Council as exco member since 2007; Unesco-AHPADA Seal of Excellence Handicrafts, founder and jury member; Unesco Specialist/Expert on Crafts, Textiles and Architectural Conservation, founding member; Asean-Japan Design Council, as exco member, and; Unesco Paris and Unesco-Asia Pacific, as consultant. Edric (seventh left) representing Malaysia at the World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Board, in this photo taken at Galeri Petronas Kuala Lumpur in 2015. Edric is also a renowned fashion designer with a long list of highly-acclaimed fashion shows held all over the world—from Kuala Lumpur to India, Italy, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, England, France and USA. He has also curated, exhibited, organised and lectured throughout the world on subjects that the Unesco has deemed him to be an 'expert and specialist' in—from woven textiles to natural dyes, from eco-tourism resorts to ethnic handicrafts. Edric has also authored and published four books: 'Sarawak Style' with photography by Luca Invernizzi (re-titled 'Living in Sarawak' for the USA edition) in 1996, with two reprints; 'Woven Dreams' – Ikat Textiles of Sarawak (2000); 'Pua – Iban Weavings of Sarawak' (1986); and 'Malay Houses of Kuching, Sarawak' (1983). Besides these, he has contributed features and articles of arts, culture and architecture to other publications, specifically 'Encyclopaedia Malaysia', 'Encyclopaedia on Dress and Costume' (UK), and 'The Guide to Sarawak' (2012). Photo shows the cover of Edric's book, 'Sarawak Style', published in 1996. Among his other passions and pet projects have been the conservation of historical buildings and a number of significant cultural projects for government agencies. These had numbered 10, and included the following: Conversion of the 1929 'Sarawak Steamship Godown' into Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Information Centre; Conversion of Madrasah Melayu (1930), to Sarawak Islamic Museum in 1992; Conversion of the 1880 Fort Sylvia in Kapit into the Tun Jugah Museum in 1997; Conversion of the St James Church, Quop (oldest in Sarawak, built in 1863); Conversion of the Lord Bishop's House, Kuching, built in 1839; Consultant to the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai in Santubong (since 1986); The Textile Museum, converted from the 'Pavilion' (1907); Consultant – Heritage Park, Putrajaya (2003); Consultant – 'Nilam Puri, A Malay Cultural Experience', Kuala Lumpur (2004), and; Research on natural dyes for batik and crafts – Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. Photo shows the tall house, designed by Edric for the Sarawak Cultural Village, his 'pet project' since 1986. — Photo courtesy of STB Although he has been actively involved in all these projects and they have formed the major part of his life since 1983, Edric has also devoted most of his personal time and endeavours pursuing a highly spiritual goal as well. Born into a very staunch and highly respected Buddhist family, his forefathers had been the custodians of many Chinese temples in Kuching for four generations. In the early 1980s, Edric's elder sister Edrea became a 'born again' Christian, followed by his parents, Ong Kee Bian and wife Tan Lee Kheng. Edric himself converted to Anglican in the mid-1980s and by 1996, he was elected the inaugural president of the Anglican Diocesan Youth Council in the Diocese of Sarawak and Brunei, a position that he held till 2001. He continued to be fully involved in the youths, then the provincial synods and today, is still an active lay reader at St Faith's Church where he delivers regular sermons. His faith has taken him to places like Ba Kelalan, Buduk Aru and other remote reaches to preach the gospel of Christ. In recognition of his many achievements and works in both Sarawak as well as on the national and international fronts, Edric has been honoured by the following awards: Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (Officer of the Star of Sarawak); Australia Culture Award; Medal of Honour, World Craft Council 2024; Aid to Artisans Advocate Award 2006; Seal of Excellence for Craft Products (Unesco) 2001-2024; Japanese G-Mark for Good Design Award in Lifestyle/Home Accessories; London Fashion Week Award – 2022, 2023 and 2024; Aspara Fashion Week Award 2024; Malaysian Designer of the Year Award 2009; STYLO Kuala Lumpur Fashion Fest Heritage Award 2008; Mercedes Benz/Stylo Asean Fashion Award – Global Fashion Influencer 2016, and; Malaysian National Non-Governmental Organisation Award 2007. Costumes and authentic local ethnic fashion designed by Edric were also commissioned and used in three international feature films shot in Sarawak: 'Farewell to the King' in 1987 with Nick Nolte in the leading man; 'The Sleeping Dictionary' in 2000 with Jessica Alba as the leading lady; and 'The Intended' in 2012 with Janet McTeer. (From right) Alba, with fellow cast members Michael Langgi and Bob Hoskins in a scene of the 2000 Hollywood feature, 'The Sleeping Dictionary'. Alba's costumes were designed by Edric. His many travels to promote Sarawak in all his projects, be they in exhibitions, curated shows, fashion extravaganzas, or in the field of local arts, crafts and culture, had brought him to the attention of many famous public figures in politics, arts and the entertainment industry. In recent times, he met with and befriended famous actress Ali MacGraw (of 'Love Story' fame) during two of his tours at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico, USA. Edric, seen here with MacGraw at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico in 2019. Recently in Paris for the 'Revelations Biennale Paris 2025', he had met with and spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. When asked about his 'personal best and proudest project', Edric did not hesitate to reply that it was the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai in Santubong. 'Designing the masterplan, main buildings and individual ethnic community houses that involved travelling to the interior parts of Sarawak to research Iban, Orang Ulu longhouses, Bidayuh round-house and reviving the Melanau 'Rumah Tinggi'. 'I am proud of the Damai Hilltop suites as well, as it was a contemporary adaptation of Sarawak architecture, the round 'Baruk' suites, the Malay suites and the longhouse 'biliks'.' On those who had inspired and mentored him through the years, he continued: 'There are many, including the late Datuk Lucas Chin, the late YM Raja Fuziah Raja Tun Uda, the late Dr Clare Brett Smith (Aid to Artisans USA), Imai Toshihiro of Japan and Jasleen Dhamija of India. 'The person I owed most to was my father, Ong Kee Bian, a good and faithful servant of the Lord, loving husband and father. 'He had nurtured my interest in flora and fauna, encouraged my endeavours into art like woodblock print, clay sculpture, embroidery and ikebana. 'He took me into the interiors of Sarawak—into the Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses and others.' During his leisure down-time, Edric can be seen around town, in other fellow artists' homes and studios, or wandering the less-trodden paths upcountry or into more remote areas, in search for the expert artisan or craftsman who could well be the last surviving person who is still practising his 'dying' art. He would also be promoting lesser known artisans' works, or helping to guide them seek new avenues where they can either sell their handcrafted products, or help them with more pro-active and creative ideas. His hobbies? He reads, listens to music, and watches a movie or two for relaxation. His other interests in the culinary arts as well as in music have also seen his versatility resulting in the formation of the Culinary Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak, formed in 2019; and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in 1997. The latter, now into its 27th year, was co-founded by Canadians, Randy Raine-Reusch and Robert Basuik, as well as Edric's brother, yours truly. My final question to Edric: 'What made you decide to spend your life to promote Sarawak's arts and crafts?' His reply: 'As a fifth-generation 'Peranakan Chinese' in Sarawak, the love and appreciation for our Sarawak arts and crafts are so much entrenched in our Ong family. 'Sarawak arts, in all aspects, are the most diverse and richest of heritages among all in Malaysia!' Edric's creativity, talent and versatility have cast a giant shadow over the arts and crafts scene in Sarawak since 1983. His persona and international status has been made and he is now well-known in the corridors and annals of Unesco, as well as in countless other international bodies where the mission and vision are to promote the world's ethnic arts, crafts, music and architectural heritage. His name, in the promotion of Sarawak in those specific fields, has been permanently etched and is well entrenched for future generations to come. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
French President impressed by Sarawak Crafts show in Paris
President Macron (right) asking Ong some details about the 'Topi Tunjang' during the stop at the 'Sarawak Crafts Revealed' exhibition in Revelations Biennale 2025. KUCHING (May 25): The 'Sarawak Crafts Revealed' exhibition takes centerstage at the prestigious 'Revelations Biennale Paris 2025', organised by Ateliers d'Art de France. At the opening night on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady Brigitte Macron visited the exhibition, where they received warm welcome from Sarawak Crafts Council board member Edric Ong, as well as Society Atelier Sarawak president Melinda Omar and its treasurer Ahmad Medani. 'President Macron was particularly attracted to the 'Topi Tunjang' (traditional rattan hats) made by the Senia Jugi, representing the longhouse community of Rumah Ensong. 'He was presented with a natural dark grey hat, while Madam Brigitte received an Orang Ulu Kabo bead necklace,' said Society Atelier Sarawak in a statement issued yesterday. The Sarawak Crafts exhibition was organised by the Sarawak Craft Council and Society Atelier Sarawak, supported by the State Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts. The council's chief executive officer Suriya Charles Boas, who was also at the Paris event, said that the core objective of Sarawak's participation was to showcase the finest homeland crafts and their artisans to an international audience. 'Mr Romain Juilha, the French curator of Revelations Biennale, was invited to Kuching in December last year to select the works up for display (this year). 'The selection comprises the fine works by artisan Ngot Bi from Kampung Semera Ulu who weaves the 'tikar begerang' (mats woven from screwpine leaves); Bangie Embol from Rumah Garie who makes 'Pua Kumbu Ikat' (traditional Iban textile using tie technique); Senia Jugi from Rumah Ensong ('Topi Tunjang'); Ulu Ai Conservancy under TR Andah Lembang (basketry); Kampung Serikin under Sandra Trinata ('Tikar Gelsah, another variety of woven mat); Ba Kelalan community under Dayang Tigur ('Raung' fibre boxes);Gedong Kain songket community under Ramtiniwati (songket); Kampung Sibuluh under Abot Gudang (sago container); Dayang Mastura and Norinda Suut ('keringkam', which is traditional Sarawak Malay scarf embroidery); Mathew Ngau Jau ( bark paintings); Juliana Embrose (natural seeds beadwork); and Edric Ong (bark-cloth natural dyed textiles),' Suriya elaborated. Photo shows the 'Pua Kumbu Ikat' items on display at the exhibition. In his message printed on the 'Sarawak Crafts Revealed' brochure, State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the exposure and publicity generated would draw more visitors to come to Sarawak. Meanwhile, the deputy minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, who stopped by in Paris after his visit to the IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, was pleased to see the tremendous response to Sarawak Crafts at Revelations Biennale 2025. He and his wife Datin Melinda Bucking Lawan also met up with World Crafts Council Latin America president Barbara Velasco at the Chile booth, and Durjoy Rahman of the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation, before proceeding to meetings at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) headquarters in Paris. Snowdan (front, second right) and Melinda, on his right, with the Sarawak delegation during the courtesy call on Durjoy (front, right) in Paris. The 'Sarawak Crafts Revealed' exhibition at Revelations Biennale, which concludes today, gathers over 30,000 visitors from 60 countries. The next Biennale will be in 2027, where it is envisaged that Sarawak would have an even larger presence in the next edition. lead Paris President Emmanuel Macron Sarawak Crafts Revealed
