BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

JUDGES yesterday picked winners of the Annual Painting Contest, which was held to mark His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 69th birthday celebration.

Organisers received 60 participating entries, with results expected to be announced in the next two to three weeks.

The judges, led by Co-chair of Organising Committee Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas, met at the Royal Wharf Art Gallery to decide winners in three categories.

Category A consisted of paintings His Majesty with world leaders, category B on development and achievements, and category C on artwork towards the country’s development.

Dato Hj Idris said the prize presentation is scheduled to be held in two or three weeks, which will also mark the beginning of the art exhibition to be held at the end of this month or early September.

He went on to say that the art exhibition will also feature paintings from previous winners as the 2015 event marks 10 years since the painting contest was launched.

In addition, a book that showcases paintings of the previous winners will also be published this year.

Commenting on the progress of the entries over the 10 years, Dato Paduka Hj Idris said the “quality of the artwork is there, but unfortunately we don’t have many new participants”.

He said there was only one newcomer competing in category B.

“The idea is to promote young artists, of course the new artists, so they can actually expose their talents…the public can appreciate their artwork,” he said.

Other judges included Director of Museums Pg Dr Karim Pg Hj Osman; Vice President of Brunei Art Forum Hj Osman Hj Mohammad; senior Brunei artist Hj Matayir Amin; Brunei Art Forum member Zakaria Omar; and Acting Exhibition Curator at Brunei Museum Pg Hj Mohd Saiffin Pg Hj Muhd Yussof.

The Brunei Times