Hoan Gallery To Present 'Under Sarawak Skies' After Statewide Art Expedition

La Promenade Mall’s Hoan Gallery will present ‘Under Sarawak Skies: A Special Preview’ on Tuesday, June 23, unveiling selected works created during its most ambitious art expedition to date.

The one-day preview opens at 11am, with Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts expected to attend. The preview concludes at 6pm.

The project brought together more than 20 artists from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia for a 10-day journey across Sarawak, from June 10 to 18.

UNITY: Artists from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia gathered to capture the beauty of Sarawak.

Travelling through Miri, Bintulu, Mukah, Sibu, Sri Aman and Kuching, the artists created works on location through painting, sketching and visual documentation, offering fresh perspectives on Sarawak’s landscapes, heritage and everyday life.

ABUNDANT: Fresh livestocks of Pasar Tamu Mukah captured in colourful crayons.

SPONTANEOUS: Ricky Hii puts the bustles of life on to paper at Pasar Tamu Mukah.

Artists in the programme include Ng Woon Lam, Ler Hock Chuan and Sarawak-born Marvin Chew from Singapore; Muhammad Rojana-udomsat from Thailand; Lee Choon Kooi, Lee Eng Beng, Tham Siew Moi, Calvin Chua, Jarence Yoong, Khoo Cheang Jin, Tan Suz Chiang, Ong Jian Yang, Peter Liew and Christina Chan from Peninsular Malaysia; and Sarawak artists Brandon Ritom and Ricky Hii.

The expedition covered iconic and historically significant destinations, including Kampung Wireless in Miri, Fort Alice in Sri Aman, and Padungan and Kuching Old Bazaar in Kuching.

HISTORIC: Brandon Ritom immortalised the beauty of Fort Alice, Sri Aman in a plein air session.

PASSIONATE: Lee Eng Beng sketched tirelessly under the sun at Kampung Wireless, Miri.

FOCUSED: Jarence Yoong studied the view at Kampung Wireless, Miri.

These places allowed the artists to engage directly with the diverse landscapes and histories that have shaped Sarawak over generations.

ADVENTUROUS: Artists arriving at Patrick Libau Homestay, Niah, Miri after a long drive.

SERENE: Artists painting while enjoying peaceful surroundings at Patrick Libau Homestay, Niah, Miri.

CULTURAL: Muhammad Rojana-udomsat captured the essence of an Iban Lady at Patrick Libau Homestay, Miri.

The journey also included visits to cultural and community sites such as Patrick Libau Longhouse in Miri, Kampung Jalan Abang Galau in Bintulu, Sapan Puloh in Kampung Telian, Mukah, and Pasar Tamu Bintulu.

AMAZED: Lee Choon Kooi excitedly toured the riverside of Kampung Jalan Abang Galau, Bintulu.

AUTHENTIC: Khoo Cheang Jin portrayed the beauty of mundane at Kampung Telian, Mukah.

These locations offered an intimate look at Sarawak’s communities and daily life, giving the artists opportunities to document everyday moments and interpret them through their own visual language.

The special preview will bring together foreign media representatives, collectors, artists and Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry officials for an exclusive early look at the works before the project’s broader exhibition later this year.

LIVELY: Khoo Cheang Jin painted the abundant livestocks at Sibu Central Market.

FRUITFUL: Artists visiting important industrial locations at Sapor Shipyard, Sibu.

“For ‘Under Sarawak Skies’, we took the bold approach of embarking on a road journey across the state, venturing into rural communities and lesser-known locations,” Hoan Gallery founder Kee Huang said.

EXCITED: Artists happily visiting local historic spots at Kampung Telian, Mukah.

UNFILTERED: Everyday lives of the locals at Assan Longhouse portrayed beautifully by Calvin Chua.

“The artists were able to experience Sarawak authentically and capture its unfiltered beauty.”

“I am mesmerised by the energy displayed by the artists each time we arrived at a new location,” said Lau Ung Ing of Big Lau Studio, who is documenting the journey for a film.

MESMERISED: Creative energy captured on film by Mr Lau.

DEDICATED: Mr Lau of Big Lau Studio passionately filmed every moment of the journey.

“Each destination offers such unique interpretations. Sarawak truly has so much to offer, and I believe documenting these creative processes helps preserve the state’s heritage and culture while sharing them with a wider audience,” he said.

MEMORABLE: Artists spend time learning about local history at Sapan Puloh Museum, Mukah.

All artworks presented during ‘Under Sarawak Skies: A Special Preview’ will be available for sale.

HSL, the local construction and property development firm, has been a sponsor of Hoan Gallery since it opened in 2021.

HOAN GALLERY: located at La Promenade Mall.

“Supporting Hoan Gallery is the most meaningful CSR programme. There are many ways to contribute to society as a corporate citizen, and supporting the arts will have a lasting impact,” said HSL marcom lead Abraham Tiong.

For more info, visit hoangallery.com or follow @hoanartgallery on social media.

Updates on the exhibition and related programmes will also be available at lapromenademall.com.my and @LaPromenadeMall.