I read the message received from Karen, “Peggy, I
shared your recent story about Yap Hanzhen with my friends and they would like
to see Hanzhen’s artwork. Is it still at Amari hotel?”
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| Grace Chiam [Right] hosted a media briefing that featured local talents Alifph Rajmaslan [Seated Left] and Lavannia Kumar [Seated Center] |
I did not hesitate to reply, “Yes, it’s at the lobby
on Level Six of Amari Johor Baru. The exhibit will be on for the whole year and
should change to a fresh theme at every quarter.”
#ArtAtAmari is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
project by Amari Johor Baru in partnership with local creative individuals and
organizations that will be refreshed at each quarter of the year.
At the media briefing hosted by Director of PR &
Marketing Communications, Grace Chiam, we had the pleasure to meet with two out
of the three artists whose work are being featured in the current Spring
themed exhibit.
While savant sketch artist, Yap Hanzhen, was not able
to join us for the event, our media group had a delightful time getting to know
the other featured talents, Alifph Rajmaslan and Lavannia Kumar.
 |
| Yap Hanzhen adding colour to his masterpiece, Simply Butterflies |
At the event, Grace told us about the hotel’s
unconventional approach to CSR and that they wanted to do something new with the
local community.
This year, Amari JB is exploring partnership
opportunities with Johorean artists and creative entrepreneurs to compliment
the community’s growing interest in the creative arts.
To interest and inspire the community, Amari JB will
provide a space in the hotel for local art practitioners to use as their canvas
to showcase their creativity.
As Amari JB supports and celebrates Johorean artists,
musicians and creative entrepreneurs in showcasing their talent and work, the
hotel also aims to connect the local artists with the community and raise funds
for the Onyx Hospitality Group Foundation.
Meanwhile the hotel will also provide their partners
with marketing communications support and a platform for growth.
Established in 2011, the Foundation aims to support
the hotel group’s public charities and community initiatives, manage legitimate
fund raising and provide donors with transparency and reassurance that their
contributions will be used in a responsible way.
 |
| Alifph Rajmaslan [Left[ and Lavannia Kumar [Right] shared their stories at the media briefing |
The Foundation’s objectives include offering
scholarships to hardworking students in need of financial support, supporting
educational, physical and social development of youth and general public,
offering relief to disaster victims and cooperating with other foundations for
charities and government organizations for the good of the community.
Art at Amari aims to provide families, young people
and corporate groups with a space for them to bond while sharing quality time, appreciating
art and having a hands-on experience doing art.
They will enjoy the unique artwork by Hanzhen as the
centerpiece of the hotel lobby that features local flora and fauna in the Spring
theme as well as familiar local landmarks, seen through the eyes of this young artist.
Among his beautiful sketches is a framed version of Simply
Butterflies.
 |
| Simply Butterflies by Yap Hanzhen |
A flat screen set up with this exhibit allows visitors
to watch how this savant artist draws his sketches and achieves amazingly
accurate and artistic results.
Nearby, an alcove next to the Amaya Food Gallery is
dedicated to an exquisite installation by Alifph, creative director of Regalia,
whose designs feature a fusion of local culture and heritage elements.
The grand pelamin or Malay wedding dais, bordered
by giant bowls of flowers in auspicious shades of Red and Gold, is designed with
elegant elements from a bygone era.
It’s interesting that his pelamin installation features
traditional Malay elements like Bunga Emas created in Gold and recycled
materials, a Chinese tea set as well as a separate table setting for a wedding
dinner banquet with a tall candelabra matched with charming crockery and
cutlery.
“My décor ideas uses traditional elements with
functional aesthetics which tell a story,” said Alifph as he described his
design style which aims to reintroduce local heritage – Malay, Chinese and
Indian – to show that it is still relevant and can be beautifully blended with
modern design.
 |
| Alifph adding an artistic touch to his pelamin installation |
Meanwhile artist and entrepreneur Lavannia, or Lava in
short, brings her art activities into the hotel space by hosting Kids Craft sessions
like making costume jewellery from old newspapers and Art & Sip for
guests to have a guided hands-on handicraft and painting experience.
Lava shared that just four months into pursuing her
passion in art on a fulltime basis, she felt doubtful if she had made the right
career choice.
She recalled that it was on the eve of her birthday
when she was approached by a Government officer who asked her, “Do you want to
paint for the Sultan?”
He wanted to present a special gift to the Johor Sultan
and wished to give the opportunity to a local artist like Lava to create a
unique piece of art for His Majesty.
To Lava, this opportunity to create an original piece
of art for the Sultan was a positive sign that she should stay on track in her
pursuit of her passion in art.
 |
| Lava presenting some of her favourite artwork |
“It was a monumental piece for me!” declared Lava
about her artwork entitled, Bangsa Johor, that was presented to His
Majesty the Sultan of Johor.
The recognition she received through this piece was the
turning point in her career as an artist and it encouraged her to continue to
explore opportunities and expand her creativity.
The media briefing concluded with a visit to the exhibits
escorted by Grace and the hotel’s creative partners who were on hand to provide
further insights into their creative designs presented at Art at Amari.
At the close of the event, Grace extended a warm
welcome to local art practitioners who are seeking a platform to showcase their
creative expressions, to come over to Amari JB and see how the hotel is partnering
with local artists.
For more information and collaboration opportunities,
contact Director of PR & Marketing Communications, Grace Chiam, on email:
grace.chaim@amari.com
Amari
Johor Baru is at No. 82-C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Baru.
For more
info, visit website: www.amari.com/johor-bahru
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