By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, 15 Oct 2015 – The Art Gallery of the National University of Malaysia (UKM) has received 12 paintings from two up and coming artists for display in conjunction with a RASA Alam exhibition which is being  held for a month starting Oct 9.

The painters are  Mohd Rasfan Abu Bakar from the  National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy (ASWARA) and Azman Nor from UKM.

The gallery was established in 1982 and it has amassed over 150 other artwork using oil paint, water paint and acrylic as well as from mixed media.

According to Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student  and Alumni Affairs), Prof Datin Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, the exhibition aims to give exposure, open minds and highlight the diversity of motives and media of  professionals from the campus and outside.

“I welcome the efforts of the cultural centre to take the initiative to provide more space by organising exhibitions of fine arts although not all the artwork on display are from UKM,” she said in her opening ceremony speech, here recently.

She said the effort was  considered to be an appropriate step towards lifting arts and culture, especially in the field of visual or ornamental art.

She said the RASA Alam exhibition is well-known and gets support from professionals and painters from around the Klang Valley.

“As a result since  2011, we have received 34 pieces of priceless paintings exhibited in this gallery,” she stated.

She added the contributions are very valuable to UKM as an effort to add to the collection of the works of famous painters so that the art heritage continues to be enjoyed by the general public.

In this edition of the exhibition, 18 painters have been taking part including those  from ASWARA, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti of Malaya (UM), Water Colour Painters Association of Malaysia, Acrylic Painters Association of Malaysia, El Arts Cave Gallery, Hulu Langat Arts Club and indvidual artists.