“Unharvested Futures: Voices Of The Field” Takes Top Prize At 29th Young Contemporary Artists Competition

LANGKAWI, May 10 (Bernama) -- “Unharvested Futures: Voices of The Field”, a work by a native daughter of Batu Pahat, Johor, has won the main award at the 29th edition of the Young Contemporary Artists Competition (BMS29), held at the National Art Gallery last night.

Created by 31-year-old Norfatihah Yusof, the piece shines a light on the fading tradition of rice farming on Pulau Tuba, bringing urgent attention to environmental issues while amplifying the voices of the local community.

The powerful work captured the judges’ attention, earning her a RM40,000 cash prize and a certificate of appreciation.

Norfatihah, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Universiti Sains Malaysia, received the award in a wheelchair. She was injured in a road accident while travelling to make final preparations for the exhibition, fittingly held in the very padi fields of Pulau Tuba.

With nearly a decade of experience in fine arts, she shared that the idea for the work emerged after several research trips to the island, where she documented the lives and struggles of its rice-farming community.

"This is a major milestone in my artistic journey. I am grateful to God, and I thank the villagers of Pulau Tuba as well as my fellow artists, who brought their own works to life despite many challenges," she told reporters after the BMS29 opening ceremony last night.

In addition to the main award, four jury prizes were also presented to Aiman Yusri Mohamad Yusoff, Khairul Ehsani Sapari, Muhammad Ismail Rahim, and the artist duo Lim Xiao Mun and Helmi Azam Tajul Urus. Each received RM15,000 and a certificate of appreciation.

Meanwhile, nine recipients of the Encouragement Award took home RM1,000 each and a certificate.

The BMS29 opening ceremony was officiated by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture deputy secretary-general (Culture), Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff.

Also in attendance were National Visual Arts Development Board chairman Assoc Prof Dr. Jalaini Abu Hassan and National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad.

The BMS29 judging panel consisted of Fram Kitagawa, curator and director-general of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Japan; Dr. Agung Hujatnikajennong, a lecturer from the Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia; and Dr. Mohamad Faizuan Mat, deputy director of the Institute of Creative Arts and Technology (iCreaTe) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

BMS29 adopted a "site-specific" approach, with Langkawi chosen as the main artistic setting, allowing participants to create works rooted in the history, culture, ecology and narratives of the local community.

The exhibition also drew support from the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), multiple agencies and strategic partners, the private sector, and the local community, notably the residents of Pulau Tuba, as well as The Riyaz Lavanya Langkawi and Bon Ton Locale.

A total of 21 final entries were submitted, with 16 works exhibited across various locations in Langkawi, including Taman Lagenda, Old Kuah Hospital, and the padi fields of Pulau Tuba.

The works involved a range of media, such as installations, mixed media, digital art, performances and interactive pieces.

The BMS29 exhibition is open to the public until July 26.

-- BERNAMA