The National Art Gallery of Malaysia

The National Art Gallery of Malaysia

The National Art Gallery of Malaysia

　　

“Art expresses and reflects the spirit and personality of the people who make a nation. Malaya has many artists whom she may be justly prod, but it is only in an Art Gallery that the public can see and enjoy their works, and unless the best works of our artists are purchased for a National Collection, they can rarely be exhibited. The foundation of independence has been well-laid, and it is the responsibility of the present generation of Malayans to build on them a nation which will gain some of the inspiration from a fine collection of works of art, worthily housed and accessible to all.” -- Statement of purpose, included in the first exhibition catalogue, published by the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, in August, 1958

The National Art Gallery of Malaysia was declared open by the first Prime Minster of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, on 27 August, 1958, almost one year after the nation achieved its independence on 31August, 1957. Its beginnings were marked by quite humble circumstances as was reflected in the small, two storey edifice that marked its initial home, sited at 109, Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. The Gallery had, in fact, been allocated the use of only half of this small two-storey building by the young nationalist government. The Gallery had also began its humble existence with only four art works, donated by art lovers, as its permanent art collection. The historic opening of the Gallery was marked by the first, hurriedly assembled, inaugural exhibition of art works produced by Malaysian artists drawn from all over the country. For the Malaysian artists and art lovers, it was a momentous occasion as it had marked the official, government recognition of our artists and their contributions. Bearing in mind that modernist art activity in this country had emerged during the 1920s, with the emergence of small amateur art groups in the Straits Settlements, working in relative isolation, the historic opening of the National Art Gallery in 1958, had marked an important milestone in the young, independent nation’s history. The young nation now had its own national art museum. And, given the new post-independence contexts of the times, wherein it was officially realised that art could play an useful function in the construction of national culture consciousness as well as enhancing the reputation of the nation internationally, the Gallery’s formation had also marked a significant development, vital for this nation’s new sense of confidence. The Gallery has, happily, lived up to its heavy responsibilities ever since then.

It is useful to look back at some of the circumstances that had contributed to the birth of the National Art Gallery in 1958. The formation of the Malayan Arts Council in 1952 by a group of enlightened expatriate and local culture enthusiasts, during the pre-independence periods, was significant and had anticipated the subsequent formation of the Gallery. Bearing in mind the British colonial government general indifference to the promotion of the arts in British Malaya, the effort made this enlightened group of persons to convince the colonial government of the need to support the Malayan Arts Council, even of belatedly, was quite extraordinary. Among the individuals who had contributed their efforts to the Arts Council may be included the expatriates Mubin Stepphard, Frank Sullivan, Peter Harris, Noel Ross, Bill Elmsley and the locals Dato Nik Ahmad Kamil, Dato Zainal Abidin Abas, Kington Loo, Yong Pung How, and P.G. Lim. The Arts Council was dedicated to the support of Art, Music and Drama. It was set up as a non-profit organization, initially with no grants but not long after its founding, the colonial government, then under General Sir Gerald Templer, was persuaded to give grants for its running costs. He Arts Council was, for many years, the only organization which sponsored national-level art exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur. The popular venue for these exhibitions was the British Council Hall, sited along Young Road, located near the present National Mosque area. The first ever national-level art exhibition was held in 1954 and it was called the Malayan Open Art Exhibition, held at the British Council Hall. In early 1957, the Arts Council was responsible to for Malaysian’s first ever international participation in the First Southeast Asian Art Exhibition held in Manila, Philippines. The two artists chosen by the Council to attend this exhibition, as Malaysia’s official representatives were Tay Hooi Keat and Syed Ahmad Jamal. The first prize award went, however, to a younger Malaysian artist, Patrick Ng Kah Onn, one of the Malaysians whose work was also shown at this historic regional exhibition.

The idea of starting a National Art Gallery was first mooted to Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj in 1956, by the dedicated committee members of the Arts Council. The role played by two men, Mubin Sheppard and Frank Sullivan, was especially important. Sheppard was a much respected civil servant in the government service and was at time setting up plans for the formation of the national Museum. Sullivan, was the Tunku's press secretary, a post he already held prior to independence. Their personal persuasion had convinced the Tunku that the establishment of a National Art Gallery should be given priority. The proposal was made to the Federal Cabinet by the Tunku and it was passed, The Gallery was placed under the then Ministry of Culture and Welfare and it would be given funds by this ministry. The Gallery's first Working Committee included Mubin Shepphard, Frank Sullivan, Runme Shaw, Ghazali Shafie, Puan P.G. Lim, Ungku Abdul Aziz, Peter Harris, Mohamad Hoessein Enas, Yong Peng Seng, Ikhmal Hisham Albakri and S. Nayagam. Ungku Abdul Aziz was appointed the first Chairman of the Working Committee and Frank Sullivan was appointed the gallery's Secretary. A number of officials from the various government agencies were also included. This Working Committee had operated until 1963 when a proper Board of Trustees was finally appointed by the new Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The members of the committee automatically became members of the Board of Trustees. Ungku Abdul Aziz was appointed the first Chairman of the Board and Puan P. G. Lim was appointed the Deputy Chairman. At the Gallery's first Board meeting held in June 1963, the Tunku presented a $25,000 gift to the gallery's Board of Trustees "to get off to a good start" and also promised a plot of land near the Lake Gardens for the building of a more permanent gallery in the future. Mr. Runme Shaw of the Shaw Brothers Foundation donated a gift of $250,000 to the gallery towards starting the building fund.

For the Malaysian artists, the formation of the Gallery was to prove most consequential indeed. It had marked the new government's official recognition of a modernist art tradition in his country. For the first time there was an official body to systematically promote major art exhibitions and art competitions, collect and document the works of local artists, and more significantly, advance the works of Malaysian artists in the international arena from the mid-1960s onwards. Exhibitions of Malaysia Art were sent to Europe, Australia and New Zealand during the 1960s and the 1970s. The works of Malaysian artists were also sent to represent Malaysia in major international art exhibitions, such as the India Art Triennial at New Delhi, the Sao Paolo Triennial in Brazil and the Tokyo Art Bienniale in Japan. Syed Ahmad Jamal’s painting the Bait won the second prize at the Indian Art Triennial in 1960. Artists from the United States and Europe had also participated in that exhibition. Other Malaysian artists would follow in his footsteps in the decades ahead and bring international recognition and honours to the Malaysian nation. In 1971, Ismail Zain was appointed as the new Director of the Gallery, replacing Frank Sullivan, who had been retired. The position of the Director had now been designated a permanent governmental appointment. The National Art Gallery has never looked back since that earlier period of its humble beginnings and the rest is now history.

For the first twenty-five years, the National Art Gallery was located at its original site along Jalan Ampang. As its activities increased, it was realized that the gallery space in that small building was inadequate. A new larger art gallery was now needed. On May 21, 1984, the Gallery officially opened is new premises at the former Hotel Majestic building, located at No.1, Jalan Hishamuddin in Kuala Lumpur. The hotel building had been offered to the Gallery by the government and t was specially renovated for its new purposes. This new building was also to be a temporary home until a permanent gallery could be built. The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr.Mahathir Mohamad, the country's fourth Minister. The Director of the gallery at this time was Tuan Syed Ahmad Jamal. The much larger space of this six-storey high National Art Gallery now allowed for the display of most of the permanent art collection in thirty-seven renovated rooms, located on four floors. The Gallery's permanent art collection now stood at a little more than one thousand art works. For the first time, the Malaysian public and foreign visitors could appreciate more fully the innovative qualities of our modern artists' creative efforts. The gallery would remain at this new location until 1998.

The 1990s had marked a decade when the country was going through an unprecedented economic boom and much development. The decade had witnessed the emergence of many commercial art galleries and art colleges. It had also witnessed the appearance of new corporate and private art collectors. Many significant exhibition catalogues and art historical publications were published as well by the Gallery. Participation of our artists in major international exhibitions, sponsored by the gallery, had become commonplace. Our artists continued to win international awards and honours. Foreign art museums were now buying the works of our artists for their permanent art collections. The significant role played by the National Art gallery in promoting modern Malaysian art both locally and internationally had continued.

The momentous construction of the present, permanent national Art gallery building, located along Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur was began during the mid-1990s. Formal occupation of this building took place in September 1998. The official opening of this new, permanent four-storey gallery building by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, took place on September 25, 2000. The Gallery now boasts five large exhibition galleries, an auditorium for public lectures, a library and resource centre, a restaurant and special facilities for administration as well as storage and restoration purposes. A special commerative exhibition entitled Rupa Malaysia – Relooking Modern Malaysian Art was curatored by Redza Piyadasa to mark the Gallery's official opening and it featured 137 major works, executed in diverse media and produced by four generations of artists. It showcased the truly outstanding achievements of Malaysia's modern artists. This significant historical exhibition was well received by the Malaysian public and international visitors and lasted for more than a year, until 31 December 2001.

The official opening of the new and impressive permanent National Art Gallery building by the Prime Minister had indeed marked a meaningful, historic point of "arrival" for the Gallery, which had begun its humble existence forty-three years earlier. The new gallery boasts more exhibition space and a much bigger staff than ever before. The present Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin bin Yassin and the present Director of the Gallery is Puan Wairah Marzuki. The present Board of Trustees is the thirteenth in the Gallery's history. The present number of art works in the Gallery's permanent art collection numbers more than two thousand five hundred significant art works. The National Art Gallery of Malaysia, like the Malaysian nation, had indeed travelled a long, colourful and illustrious journey and has finally achieved its maturity. Today the Gallery enjoys a stature as one of the significant modern art museums in the Asia-Pacific region.