Preface by Edric Ong
Atelier's members share the common
interest of promoting Sarawak's art, crafts and
culture in view of the diversity and uniqueness of
our heritage. As such they are prepared to
contribute their time and effort to this end. It is
the aim of the society to complement the
Government's efforts in the cultural and social
development.
The objectives of the society are:
- To appreciate and promote,
share and acquire knowledge of Sarawak Arts and
Crafts.
- To promote cultural exchanges
of arts and crafts with other countries.
- To encourage research and
study into the history and evolution of the
culture, arts and crafts of Sarawak.
- To attain these objectives,
Society Atelier acknowledges support and
assistance from many quarters over the years
With such support, it can claim to have made good
progress in the encouragement, appreciation and
promotion of arts and crafts in this state.
To
know more about Edric Ong
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Forward
from the Honorable Patron
Datuk Amar Puan Sri (Dr.) Hajjah Laila Taib
Since its inauguration in 1986 up
to the present date, Society Atelier Sarawak has
been fulfilling its objective of promoting Sarawak
arts and crafts and culture.
A voluntary body, the Society has
been trying its best, within the limited financial
and manpower resources available, to organize
activities in line with its objectives. This is
commendable effort and I wish to take the
opportunity to extend my sincerely congratulations
to Society Atelier Sarawak.
I am convinced that Society
Atelier Sarawak is making useful contributions to
our social and artistic development and truly
deserves encouragement and support from everyone for
its effort.
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Message by Datin Amar Margaret Linggi
In Sarawak, a sate within Malaysia, the
arts and crafts and cultures are numerous and
varied. Our heritage is unique on account of our
multi-racial society comprising the most diverse
ethnic composition in the whole nation.
Sarawak has more than 25 ethnic
comprising the iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Melanau, Kayan,
Kenyah, kelabit, Kejaman Sekapan, Lahanan, Sihan,
Ukit and Penan. In addition there are Chinese,
Indonesian and Indians.
Despite this diversity all the
communities live in close proximity and harmony and
are tolerant of each other's differences, enabling
each to maintain its own ethnic identity, religion,
customs, languages, beliefs and traditions. This has
resulted in our rich heritage of arts, crafts and
cultures.
There is therefore a continuous
need for every encouragement and assistance to be
given to nurture and preserve Sarawak's heritage in
the benefit of future generation. There is plenty of
scope for research and study in these fields.
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History
The Beginning
by Puan Deanna Ibrahim (Founder President )
The Society Atelier Sarawak had
its beginning in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak,
back in the 1970s. A small group of women, numbering
no more than eight or nine of us, used to meet once
a month as a discussion group swapping stories about
the cultural changes we were witnessing both in the
capital and the outstations of Sarawak.
In 1965, we could see Malay women
attired in beautiful embroidered "Baju Kebajay"
(fitted blouses) and "Selendang" (scarves). The
Malay "Bangsawan", a variety show, was still in
evidence and a source of great enjoyment for all. "Orang
Ulu" craftsmen were producing finely arved doors,
furnitures and household implements in the Ulu Baram
and Belaga areas, while Iban musical instruments
were all taken for granted. There was an abundant
supply of exquisite silver belts, buckles, filigree
jewelry; ceremonial silver bolster plates wrought by
elderly Chinese silversmiths were still available.
However some fifteen years later the best of all
these seemed to have disappeared.
Our purpose, then as a group,
became more defined and we decided o orgnaize
ourselves so as to help existing bodies who were
dedicated to preserve the local arts and crafts. The
word atelier, which means workshop, had the right
ring to it and portrayed the spirit of our group and
so the name was adopted.
March 1986 saw the official
inauguration of our newly registed Society Atelier
Sarawak. Our patron Datuk Amar Puan Sri Hajah Laila
Taib, the wife of Sarawak's Chief Minister,
supported by other dignitaries in vairous
capacities, gave us tremendous encouragemnet. Since
the date, the society has grown and has been
responsible for numerous international cultural
exchanges, art exhibitions, seminars and workshops
on tribal art, weaving, pottery and poetry. The
publication of the book "Sarawk Cultural Legacy" in
1991 came out of the series of exhibitions and
workshops held in Kuching in 1988. In celebration of
the Year of Cultural Heritage, on woodcarving,
weaving and antique beads. Since the publication of
"Sarawak Cultural Legacy", Society Atelier Sarawak
has been actively putting into effect its aim and
ambitions.
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Objectives
Society Atelier Sarawak is a registered
voluntary organization founded in 1986 with three
main objectives:
-
To appreciate and promote, share
and acquire knowledge of Sarawak arts and
crafts.
-
To promote cultural exchanges of
arts and crafts with other countries.
- To encourage research and study into the
history and evolution of the culture, arts and
crafts of Sarawak.
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Management
The Society is under the patronage and
guidance of the Honourable Patron and Honorary
Vice-Presidents and is managed directly by the
Executive Committee with the following elected
office bearers:
-
The President
-
The Vice President
-
Honorary General Secretary
-
Honorary Assistant Secretary
-
Four Other Committee Members
The Executive Committee may
co-opt a maximum of five additional members; these
members will have no voting rights.
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Activities
The activities of the society include
periodic discussions; talks by local and visiting
artists and experts; exhibitions; arts and crafts
workshops; arts and crafts classes; demonstration of
arts and crafts techniques; and publications on
subjects falling within its sphere of interest.
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Premises
As of January 1990, the Society Atelier
Sarawak has occupied the charming bungalow "Rumah
Masra" at Jalan Taman Budaya, Kuching as its
headquarters. Here an impressive range of arts and
crafts collected is displayed. Through the years, "Rumah
Masra" has also been the scene of many workshops,
talks, exhibitions and gatherings of Society members
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Society Atelier Sarawak Executive Committees
| Patron: |
Datuk Amar Puan (Dr) Hajjah
Laila Taib |
| President: |
Edric Ong |
| Vice President: |
Michael Lim |
| Board of Advisors: |
Puan Deanna Ibrahim,
Dato' Sri Empiang Jabu,
Datin Garnette Ridu,
Datuk Lucas Chin |
| Hon. Secretary: |
Moses Joseph |
| Asst. Hon. Secretary: |
Lai Hong Lian |
| Hon. Treasurer: |
Jeannette Ho |
| Committee Members: |
Matthew Ngau Jau,
Catherine Senia,
Helen Manjan,
Darlene Lim,
Robert Yong,
Magdalene Tai,
Lucy Ang Abey,
Esme Lim,
Jeffrey Lim |
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Our Contact
Society Atelier Sarawak
Rumah Masra, Jalan Taman
Budaya, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel : 60-82-420042
Fax: 60-82-420043
Email:
edric.ong@gmail.com
website:
www.societyatelier.com
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