Children express what it means to be Malaysian

Stella Maris International School in Damansara, Selangor, organized an art competition called “Malaysia – My Heritage, My Home” for Malaysia Day. Both primary and secondary students were invited to participate, and the competition received a total of 85 artworks. The competition accepted art pieces in various mediums, including oil, watercolour, pastel, acrylic, pencil, and pen. Experimental and mixed techniques were also welcomed. The judging criteria focused on creativity, uniqueness, and originality relating to the theme of the artwork.

The panel of judges consisted of respected individuals such as Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Ahmad Zainuddin from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Liu Cheng Hua from the Malaysian Institute of Art-Fine Art Department, and Jimmy Tan from The One Academy. The judges praised the finalists’ artwork for showcasing creative thinking and a mature approach in their choice of background and renditions of illustrations.

In a media statement, Stella Maris International School president Margaret Soo expressed her admiration for the remarkable talent and creativity reflected in the art submissions. The school aims to provide its students with an opportunity to express themselves in a compelling and inspiring way through art, while also gaining the appreciation it deserves.

During the launch of Rukun Negara Clubs, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh presented the prizes for the top six art pieces. Additionally, selected finalists’ artwork will be featured in the school’s 2024 table calendar.

One of the students, Jillian Lau Zhi Ling, drew inspiration from local foods and traditional games. Her art piece, titled “4D of Malaysia Heritage,” portrays the four dimensions of Malaysian culture and heritage, including local drinks, food delights, traditional games, and iconic comic characters. She meticulously arranged her artwork to capture these elements.

Eleven-year-old Wong Qianni focused on preserving Malaysian heritage through her art. She depicted pre-war shoplots in Penang, reminiscing about her mother’s time spent in one of them. The artwork, named “Penang pre-war heritage houses, our Malaysian Pride,” is unique as it utilizes coffee grounds and expired food coloring for paint. Qianni’s intention is to promote responsible consumption and the practice of reducing, reusing, and recycling resources, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No.12, which the school supports.