MELBOURNE, Oct 8 — There has been a stream of visitors to the “Discover Malaysian Art 2014” which opened at SpACE @ Collins, 278 Collins Street, here on Oct 1.

More than 120 art lovers and collectors attended the joint official opening by Malaysian-born Melbourne City Councillor Ken Ong and Matrade Chief Executive Datuk Dr Wong Lai Sum on Monday.

Works by 14 talented Malaysian artists are on display, with Ch’ng Huck Theng as the curator.

Wong said it was heartening to witness a thriving art scene in Malaysia and encouraging to see Malaysian art appreciated overseas.  “The exposure of our art last year has resulted in widespread awareness, generating greater demand for works by contemporary artists from Malaysia,” she said.

“Many of our artists have been invited to take part in international art exhibitions and art auctions.”

Curator Ch’ng said the Malaysian art scene was relatively young in terms of history compared with neighbouring countries, but it had made impressive progress over the past few years.

“Prices and admiration for the works of Malaysian artists have appreciated handsomely although there is still a long way to go before Malaysian art is accepted globally,” he said.

The Malaysian consul general here, Datuk Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya, said he hoped to hang more Malaysian art pieces at his office in St Kilda Road.  “Many Australians, especially the business community, visit the consulate and it would be good if they had the opportunity to appreciate our art,” he said.

The Malaysian art show here last year generated RM3.3 million in sales and he expected this to be surpassed when the exhibition ends on Oct 12.

The exhibition features works by the late Ho Khay Beng and Khaw Sia, Fendy Zakri, Haffendi Anuar, Hasanul Isyraf Idris, Ismail Awi, Khairul Arshad, Lim Anuar, Raja Norzlipah Raja Ahmad, Rozana Mohamed, Yeoh Choo Kuan, Zaim Durulaman, photographer Lay Zhoz Yeap and 11-year-old Delwin Cheah. — Bernama