For Immediate Release Green Environment Theme in Artists Masterpieces 2 Outstanding Artists Incorporating Their Observation in Environmental Issues in Creating Masterpieces for MIECO Designer s Choice Awards 2009 Artists Showcase Gallery KUALA LUMPUR, 3rd March, 2009 Malaysia s most coveted furniture design competition, MIECO Designer s Choice Awards (MDCA) 2009, installed a new attraction known as the MDCA s Artists Showcase Gallery. The Artists Showcase Gallery featured renowned artist, Mr. Rahim Ismail from Design Principles Sdn Bhd and sculptor, Associate Professor Ramlan Abdullah from Mara University of Technology (UiTM). They come from different creative background and have been nominated by MDCA 2009 panel of judges with respect to their contribution to Malaysia design environment. The artists have manufactured their artworks and are showcasing it at the gallery. By using MIECO s exclusive and eco-friendly products as the main material, the artists have produced their finest works and are showcasing it in Malaysia International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2009, PWTC main Podium. The design of the artworks was based on the artists observation on environmental issues. The collaboration with 2 gifted artists in supporting the environmental cause has been very rewarding, not only they are able to convey strong messages to save the environment, they also pave the way to new application for eco-friendly particleboard, said Dato Yong Seng Yeow, Managing Director of MIECO Manufacturing Sdn Bhd. The Saves the Whales; Saves the World themed Arch is created by Mr Rahim Ismail with the notion that the population of world s largest mammals is depleting. It is focusing on animal cruelty with the visualisation of a whale, coiled by rattan. The interesting artwork is acting as a reminder to the masses that saving whales is one of many environmental issues that we need to deal with. It is our responsibility to save our world and its environment from pollution and human negligence. Assoc. Prof. Ramlan Abdullah s sculpture-furniture works entitled Sitting Stone is being created to feature human attitude towards nature. With the environment as a focal point, the idea is to focus on the situation which human is capable of, whether to embrace or ruin it. It is a symbolism created for the audience to ponder their sensibilities towards the environment and Mother Nature. It is a reflection of human nature and its interdependency with the environment. One of the most important elements in a sculptor s work is to understand the material that we are going to use. I have explored many materials but the particleboards gave me the sense of connection with our nature. It is my pleasure to be part of this showcase, said Prof. Ramlan Abdullah. Mr Rahim Ismail added, It is amazing to work with material like particleboards as it is actually a wood composite material. Knowing that I am using a raw material that is based on recycling concept without sacrificing nature, gives me the contentment to apply the environmental issues more freely and this is very ideal for my artwork. 1
The MDCA 2009 Artists Showcase Gallery aims to seek leading Malaysian designers to identify new application of eco-friendly wood panels such as MIECO particleboards. With the spirit of Malaysia Boleh, the artists are creating new boundaries and becoming the inspiration for the young designers. The artists are showcasing their artworks at the MIFF 2009, venue at Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), Main Podium, from 3rd to 7th March 2009. Saves the Whales; Saves the World By : Rahim Ismail, DP Design Sdn Bhd Whales, the largest mammals in the world, have long been hunted for its meat and a source for raw materials. Due to commercial whaling, sonar interference and other environmental disturbances, the population of whales is depleting and certain species are seriously endangered. With the realisation that the extinction of whales is approaching, Mr Rahim Ismail is conveying a strong message to save the whales by creating Saves the Whales; Saves the World theme, with the arch-shape representing animal cruelty. The arch symbolised the near extinction of the whales, by depicting a whale coiled in rattan, a visualised form of a whale in demise condition due to human brutality. Created by using particleboards, this intriguing art piece serves as a reminder to the masses that saving whales is one of many environmental issues that we need to deal with. It is our responsibility to save our world and its environment from pollution and human negligence. Let s work hand in hand to ensure a better future for us and the generations to come. 2
Sitting Stone By : Assoc. Prof. Ramlan Abdullah, MARA University of Technology (UiTM) Today, sculpture can be seen anywhere. The installation and environmental sculpture have propelled us to look at sculpture in many different ways. In doing so, we have been driven to become more thoughtful and creative. The role of sculpture is not reduced to its placement but its impact on our lives. It is a reflection of oneself and the understanding of human and its relation with the environment The sculpture-furniture entitled Sitting Stone was created by using MIECO HPLC crystal stone surface with microplus. It was being made to feature human attitude towards nature. With the environment as a focal point, the idea is focusing on the situation which human is capable of, whether to embrace or ruin it. It is a symbolism created for the audience to ponder their sensibilities towards environment and Mother Nature. Throughout history, minerals such as stones and rocks have been admired as they evoke grandness and the lofty nature. It is sharing the same nature assimilation as reflected in woodcarving and batik painting. 3
ARTISTS PROFILE Mr. Rahim Ismail Design Principles Sdn Bhd Rahim Ismail was born in a small coastal and island resort of Mersing, Johor. His initial ambition was to be a ship designer. Due to passion and the interest towards furniture design, in year 2003, Mr Rahim Ismail took a further step and set up workshop manufacturing Rattan Weaved furniture in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. He and his team at Design Principles Sdn Bhd has been learning and perfecting the art and techniques in making rattan furnitures. From then on, he has been producing highly potentials prototypes to be commercialized. The year 2009 has been a wonderful year for Mr Rahim as his creations has been selected to be showcased at Harrods for under the ambit of Kraftangan Malaysia, an agency under the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, to select Malaysia's best and was hand picked by Harrods Limited. Associate Professor Ramlan Abdullah MARA University of Technology (UiTM) Sculptor Associate Professor Ramlan Abdullah graduated from Pratt Institute Brooklyn, New York, USA with a Master of Fine Art, majoring in Sculpture in 1990. As an artist, Prof. Ramlan has received many awards since 1981. In recent years, he won the Mekar-Citra Art Award by the Shah Alam Art Gallery in 2007 and the Visual Art Award Sculpture 2006 which was awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage in Malaysia in 2006. He has a few solo exhibitions under his name So What? (2005), Defining Divine Dimensions (2002) and Zain Azraai Art Award at the National Art Gallery, Malaysia in 2001. In 2008, his works were also exhibited at the Soka Gakkai Malaysia Cultural Centre, Gallery Chandan and World Wildlife Fund s (WWF) Art for Nature 2008 Shifting Boundaries in Kuala Lumpur. 4
ABOUT MIECO MIECO Chipboard Berhad (MIECO), a manufacturing division of the Bandar Raya Developments Berhad Group of Companies, which has over 30 years of experience in particleboard manufacturing, was incorporated in 1972. The Company was subsequently listed on the Main Board of the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad in 1998. MIECO is the pioneer in the manufacture of particleboards in Malaysia using rubber wood and other mixed wood species with three factories located within Malaysia. It currently owns the single largest particleboard line in the Asia-Pacific region. With innovation and technology being the principal driving force in the growth of MIECO, its production of particleboards are of the highest quality, which conform to international standards. After establishing itself as dominant player in the domestic market, MIECO now exports to over 20 countries including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinents, the Middle East, Africa, and the Australasian countries with a representative office in Guangzhou, China. Editorial contact: Wong Siew Chyn / Lina Taib MIECO Manufacturing Sdn Bhd Tel: +603-2694 6233 ext 1856 / 1865 Fax: +603-2694 2933 E-mail: wsc@mieco.com.my / lt@mieco.com.my Co- Organiser and Co Sponsor: 5