The Minister of Tourism Malaysia, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen has recently announced the start of “Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism 2010” (MCAT 2010) festival which aims at targeting more high-yield tourists to come to Malaysia.
MCAT 2010 is an effort to spur the development of the local contemporary art scene. It is Malaysia’s first ever contemporary art event and will be held annually from July to September each year.
It will showcase the most explosive, dynamic and provocative art produced by internationally-acclaimed Malaysian-born artists through a series of exhibitions as well as seminars.
MCAT 2010 is aimed at establishing Malaysia as a reputable destination for art aficionados in the region to enjoy and acquire contemporary art, with museum-quality pieces.
It ialso aims to encourage owners of art galleries to launch new pieces by young artists that will set the trend for the next few years.
YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng said the Ministry believes that MCAT 2010 will educate, excite and inspire both local and foreign visitors particularly on the beauty and variety of contemporary art.
Among the key highlights of the Festival will be a display of Aliya and Farouk Khan’s personal collection as well as several exciting and vibrant works by some of the best internationally-acclaimed Malaysian artists, both young and established ones such as Abdul Multhalib Musa, who is regarded as one of Malaysia’s leading contemporary sculptors; Fauzan Omar; Annuar Rashid; abstract expressionist Yusoff Ghani; Eng Hwee Chu; visual artist/writer A. Jegadeva; Dhavinder Gill and many more.
The Ministry of Tourism Malaysia is also highlighting the Festival via its “Tourism Art Trail” – a directory that contains a listing of contemporary art galleries, seminars and talks on Malaysia’s contemporary art scene, information on places where tourists can visit as well as events that they can attend or participate.
