Sarawakian selected for UN art project to promote SDGs in UAE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 -- “Painting a Better World”, an artwork by Sarawakian artist Saadiah Sulaiman was unveiled at the United Nations (UN) Hub at Expo 2020 Dubai for a week-long exhibition from Nov 9 to 13, as part of the ‘UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Through Art’ project.

The Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in a statement today said Saadiah, 52, was among 17 United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artists who were selected for the collaborative initiative of the UN and UAE to enhance awareness of the SDGs.

The project which kicked off in 2020 also features artists from the Netherlands, Sweden, India, Cape Verde, Syria, Iraq, Armenia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, South Africa, Iran, Mauritius, Argentina and UAE.

“The focal point of my creation is the self-winding watch which continues to function as long as all the  components work.

“Metaphorically, this infinite mechanism represents sustainability in the way that socio-economic and environmental inter-dependencies are wisely maintained,” she was quoted as saying in the statement.

Saadiah, who has been living in the UAE since 2007, said thanks to her participation in the project, she now has better understanding of the SDGs as each artist was commissioned to develop specific artistic expressions that would help in engaging the public and mobilise their support for its implementation.

“The more I researched and discussed with others, the clearer the goals become. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was meant for us, desperately calling for collective actions to work together and commit to all the goals for the benefit of everyone, leaving no one behind,” she added.

UN Deputy Commissioner-General for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dr Dena Assaf said artworks from the project would be on a roadshow to all the seven emirates to promote the SDGs. 

-- BERNAMA