Royal patron of arts visits SHOWCASE

The Permaisuri Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris Shah, and her daughter, Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, graced the SHOWCASE to view the art and meet the artists, at the 12^th Johor Baru Arts Festival [JBAF] in Nusajaya.

Permaisuri Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia, JSPA founder Yap
Siong Cheng, Festival Director Suzie Yap and SHOWCASE
curator Yap Leong [Front Row Left to Right] viewing the art

Escorted by the exhibition curator, Yap Leong, founder of the Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA), Yap Siong Cheng, and Festival Director, Suzie Yap, Raja Zarith admired the art displayed in the White Box of the Mall at Medini, Nusajaya and chatted with the exhibiting artists.

“The main objective of SHOWCASE is to identify, nurture and support young and budding artists and provide them with a platform to present their talents,” said Yap Leong, adding that the art exhibition was for the people of Johor by artists who were born here or have adopted Johor as their home.

It was his privilege to escort Raja Zarith to view the paintings by Adeputra Masli, Wong Fook Liung and Lok Kerk Hwang and meet some of the artists like Goh Lye Hock and Tan Suz Chiang.

Artist, Pauline See Poh Chen [Left]
discussing her creation, "Song of Dreams"
with Permaisuri Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia 

Raja Zarith spent time with Pauline See Poh Chen discussing her collection of paintings and sculptures entitled, “Song of Dreams” that featured a girl wearing a red dress, before going on to meet Wee Chiang Lung who created a series of designs that featured polka dots.

After viewing the signature Black & White art installations by the creative team of Beverly Bee and Cally Chin, collectively known as Bev C, Raja Zarith enjoyed the range of photographs captured by the lens of professional photographers, Az Tew, Raynce and Calvin Yew.

When Raja Zarith completed her tour of the exhibition, she commended the organisers and artists for an excellent collection of art presented in the inaugural SHOWCASE exhibition.

“I am impressed by the work of these artists that show originality, skill and talent,” said Raja Zarith, who is also an accomplished artist, adding that they deserved to be noticed by both local and international art lovers.

Permaisuri Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia, with some of the
exhibiting artists and photographers

“Raja Zarith’s wish to visit the SHOWCASE came as a pleasant surprise and we see it as an endorsement of our efforts,” said JSPA founder, Yap, who reiterated that her support of the arts was an invaluable source of encouragement not only to the JBAF but also to all the artists who met with Her Royal Highness.

“The visit by Raja Zarith truly encouraged all the artists and motivated us to do better in the next SHOWCASE,” said Yap Leong, who joined the various artists to express their appreciation to Her Royal Highness by presenting her with gifts of their art.

SHOWCASE is on till Oct 10, the final day of the 12^th JBAF.  Open weekdays from 12pm to 10pm and weekends from 10am to 10pm.

A version of this was published in The Malaysian Insider on 8 Oct 2015