KUCHING, Jan 10 — Sarawak has once again taken centre stage in the international arts scene with the opening of the Kita Orang: Blue & White 400 International Art Exhibition 2025, a major cultural event that brings together artists and communities from around the world through shared history and creativity.
The exhibition was officially opened today at Artavern Art Space, La Promenade Mall, by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew. His presence marked an important milestone for the Sarawak edition of the exhibition, which previously enjoyed successful runs in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
In his opening address, Datuk Sebastian Ting said the exhibition clearly demonstrates how art serves as a universal language that can unite people across cultures, generations and national borders. He noted that the participation of 400 artists from more than 20 countries has turned the exhibition into a meaningful meeting point that highlights shared human values rather than differences.
He added that Sarawak, with its 34 ethnic groups living together in harmony, is well placed to host international cultural programmes of this scale. According to him, art and culture not only reflect Sarawak’s identity but also act as a bridge linking the state to the global community. Events such as this, he said, help position Sarawak as a relevant arts and culture destination while supporting the growth of the creative industry.
The exhibition commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Wanli Shipwreck, a Portuguese vessel that sank off the coast of Terengganu while carrying blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen, China. Recognised under the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme, the shipwreck symbolises centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange between East and West. These historic connections are reinterpreted through contemporary artworks that explore the timeless symbolism of blue and white, representing both tradition and renewal.
Curated by Calvin Chua, Chairman of the Malaysian Watercolour Society, Abu Zaki Hadri, President of Angkatan Pelukis Se-Malaysia, and internationally renowned artist Alice Chang Guerra, the exhibition features paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works reflecting shared memory and cultural dialogue.
A key highlight is the interactive artwork titled The Pieces of Us, which invites visitors to paint on broken porcelain plates. These individual pieces will later be assembled into a large collective installation by Lai Lai Art Gallery, symbolising unity, healing and shared creativity. Alice Chang Guerra explained that Kita Orang, meaning “We, the People”, reflects the idea that everyone has a voice and a place within the story of art.
The Kita Orang: Blue & White 400 International Art Exhibition 2025 runs from January 10 to January 25 at Artavern Art Space, Kota Samarahan. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to take part in the interactive programme, reinforcing Sarawak’s role as a welcoming platform for global cultural exchange.
