4th Women Artists Exhibition

The Museum and Art Gallery of Southern University College officially launched its 4th Women Artists Exhibition on March 27 under the theme “The Colorful Art of Malaysia.” The exhibition features over 90 artworks by 40 female artists. Through diverse themes and vibrant colours, the works vividly portray the rich and captivating essence of Malaysia, offering a deeply moving and visually engaging experience.

The exhibition covers a wide range of subjects, including portraits, culture, local customs, Malaysian identity, and cuisine. It also presents several distinctive ceramic works, such as “Mother Earth,” which symbolizes a strong connection to femininity, as well as ceramic vessels inspired by the iconic buffalo horn motif of the matrilineal Minangkabau community. These pieces reflect the creativity and expressive power of art.

Representing the absent Director of the Museum and Art Gallery, Mr. Tan Chai Puan, the Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design, Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Teo Pei Kian, expressed her sincere appreciation to all participating female artists. She noted that the 40 artists from diverse backgrounds have used a shared language—artistic creation—to depict Malaysia’s rich cultural landscape, producing deeply moving works.

“This exhibition highlights the strength, delicacy, and distinctive artistic voices of each artist, making it truly worthy of appreciation,” she said. She also expressed hope that continued platforms and opportunities would be provided for female artists to showcase their creative talents.

Datin Janice Teh Hwee Tiang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Southern University College, remarked that when the gallery initiated this exhibition four years ago, its aim was to create a platform for female artists to express themselves. Today, the initiative has grown steadily in both scale and impact.

She added that women often balance family responsibilities, careers, and their artistic aspirations, and such perseverance is truly admirable.

Guest of Honour Puan Sri Chan Pui Leorn emphasized that International Women’s Day (March is not only a celebration of women’s contributions but also a reminder of their vital roles in society, culture, and history. She commended the gallery for providing a platform that enables more female talents to be seen, recognized, and heard.

She further noted that Malaysia is a multicultural nation where women play an important role in bridging family and society, as well as tradition and modernity. As reflected in the exhibition, women are not only inheritors of culture but also creators of it.

She described art as a gentle yet powerful form of expression, and women’s art as revealing strength within softness and resilience within delicacy.

Other distinguished guests included Venerable You Ming from Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery (Xinma), and Prof. Dr. Leong Loong Kong, Acting President of Southern University College.

The exhibition runs until April 17 and is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

In addition, artist Sarana Khoo will be delivering an art talk titled “Japanese Pastel Nagomi Art – Finger Painting for Inner Harmony.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, two special art workshops will also be held on March 28:

“WAU Wow: Painting the Malaysian Wau Kite – Japanese Pastel Nagomi Art Experience” conducted by Sarana Khoo, Malaysia’s first certified Japanese Pastel Nagomi Art instructor

“Blossoms of Harmony: Gongbi Silk Fan Painting Workshop” conducted by Katherine Khor

This event is supported by Baohong Malaysia and Sakura Colour Malaysia.

展出作品内容涵盖人物、文化、民情、大马本土特色与美食等。其中也包括数件独特的陶瓷作品，如与女性有着密切联系的“大地之母”，以及以母系社会米南加保族最具象征意义的牛角为概念创作的陶壶等，皆绽放出艺术的火花。

南方大学学院艺术与设计学院院长赵佩娟代表未克出席的艺术馆馆长陈再藩致词时，不忘感谢每一位女性艺术创作者的参与。

她指出，40位来自不同背景的女性，以共同的语言——艺术创作，描绘了马来西亚丰富的文化面貌，其作品令人动容。

“这场展览展现了每位女性艺术家坚定、细腻且富有力量的艺术风格，值得我们共同欣赏。” 她表示，希望能持续为女性艺术家提供良好的平台，让大家发挥创作潜能。

南方大学学院副董事长拿汀郑惠珍指出，4年前艺术馆推动女性创作展，旨在为女性艺术创作者搭建展示平台，如今已见成果，并逐年成长，影响力也不断扩大。

她表示，女性一边要照顾家庭，一边要投入事业，同时还要为自己的创作梦想努力，这份坚持实属不易。

开幕嘉宾潘斯里刘陈慧玉强调，“308国际妇女节”不仅是对女性贡献的肯定，更提醒我们关注女性在社会、文化及历史进程中的重要角色。

她赞赏南方大学学院文物与艺术馆为女性创作者搭建平台，让更多女性的才华被看见、被肯定，也被更多人听见。

她续指，马来西亚是一个多元文化交融的国家，而女性在家庭与社会之间、传统与现代理念之间，一直扮演着连接与平衡的重要角色。正如本次展览所展现的，女性不仅是文化的传承者，更是文化的创造者。

她形容，艺术是一种最柔软却最有力量的表达方式，而女性艺术让人们看见温柔中的坚定，以及细腻中的力量。

出席嘉宾尚包括佛光山佛光缘美术馆（新马馆）有明法师，以及南方大学学院代校长梁龙光教授等。

本次展览将展出至4月17日，开放时间为周一至周五上午10时至下午4时。

此外，艺术家邱星宸分享艺术讲座，主题为“日本和谐粉彩 – 指绘内在和谐”外，配合画展也特别安排28日举办两项艺术工作坊：

“彩绘马来风筝——日本和谐粉彩体验课” ，由大马首位日本和谐粉彩培训师邱星宸主持

“花开国安——绢扇国花工笔体验课” ，由许愿珊老师主持

活动由中国宝虹水彩纸大马总代理 及 Sakura Colour Malaysia支持。