Dr Hj Baharuddin Mohd Arus, Art & Creative Technology lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Picture: BT/ Nurhamiza Hj Roslan, file
BRUNEI has artists of international repute and many talented young artists waiting to get the break but without proper marketing for their artwork, the sustainability and competitiveness of these local artists will weaken and they would lose their power of perseverance, a lecturer at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam said.
At the National Policy Forum on Creative Industries held at the BRIDEXHall, in Jerudong, May 29, 2012, Dr Hj Baharuddin Mohd Arus, Art & Creative Technology lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) presented a paper titled "Realising the Economic Value of Our Arts and Cultural Resources".
"If they were given the right opportunity and the right directions, I believe they can market their artwork and could boost the local art market among the local and overseas collectors," said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
"We need to have an action plan to make the break at the local and regional market."
"We need to find the solution as soon as possible to solve the problem. Without proper marketing the sustainability and competitiveness of local artist will be weaken and lose power of perseverance," said Dr HjBaharuddin.
Dr Hj Baharuddin said that according to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Bruneian artists are only just beginning to scratch the surface of the global art scene and these artists are encouraged by the ministry to take advantage of the opportunity being presented before them.
Dr Hj Baharuddin also said that Brunei artists need to be involved in the market or business and entrepreneurship that required patrons who will provide the infrastructure needed to nurture and enrich their talents.
The patronage of art and culture should involve relevant ministries such as the MCYS, Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Education as well as private agencies, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
These agencies need to take the initiative and create the pool of effort for stakeholders to develop the platform on the arts and marketing them, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
The government and private sector are the "engine of growth" in national development of the arts, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
"Brunei is an Islamic country and also Negara Zikir, we can create the hub of Islamic art in Southeast Asia," said Dr Baharuddin, adding that from what he has seen, there is no centre for Islamic art in Southeast Asia.
As Brunei has seven ethnic groups, another area that can be looked into and developed is indigenous art, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
He said the market for the art industry in Brunei has been dominantly perceived as very behind and inconsistent and efforts to make sales has always been difficult due to several factors.
He explained that lack of exposure and inadequate funding is one of the reasons to why local artists have deterred from further growing their skills and establishing their international network.
Inefficient training and a poor platform on art education have also contributed to the weakness on the development of the art industry in Brunei, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
However, the passion and interests have never stopped artists from practicing "self taught" methodology acquired essentially from the limited education at their schools, said Dr Hj Baharuddin.
The National Policy Forum on Creative Industries was hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) in collaboration with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), the forum was held from May 28 to May 30 at the Bridex International Conference Centre.
The Brunei Times
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