Photo credit: Wisma Geylang Serai

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon.

It gives me great pleasure and honour to be here today to officiate

the opening of SeniKita 2021 at the Kamal Arts Gallery.

The Precinct Department of Wisma Geylang Serai and its colocating partner Kamal Arts -

a National Arts Council arts house tenant - organized the SeniKita art exhibition for the second time

to create a platform for Malay artists to network and showcase their creations

in visual arts, drawings, and painting. My heartiest congratulations goes to

Kamal Arts' Gallery and WGS for organizing this competition

cum exhibition and creating another platform, for our local Arts community.

I am pleased to announce that the organizers received over 54 submissions

from 41 local artists in less than two months. The Jury panel is made up of

well-known local art practitioners and educators;

- Mr Ahmad Abu Bakar, specialises in Ceramic & 3D studies

- Mr Kamal Dollah, is well-known for his expertise in Batik paintings and caricatures and

- Mr Suhaimi Sukiyar, is a Visual Arts practitioner and educator.

Following last year’s exhibition, more visitors will be delighted

by a unique combination of painting genres and techniques

reflecting the many artistic influences in our community through

this exhibition of Malay painters as more visual artworks will be showcased.

The ages of the artists showcased today range from 16 to 77 years old

and this I’m sure has a part to play in the diversity of the works they have produced.

Certainly, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact

on our local art sector and artists. Despite many challenges,

we are pleased that WGS, Kamal Arts and National Arts Council

are creating various opportunities and platforms for our local arts community.

SeniKita was established during the circuit breaker by renowned

'artrepreneur' Mr Kamal Dollah and in collaboration with WGS

to encourage local Malay artists and increase art appreciation in the Malay community

in response to the current circumstances we live in.

There will be free artist talks by selected artists, as well as art workshops

exhibiting Malay artistic practice in Singapore. The purpose is to

recognize and support emerging artists, as well as to provide

free public exhibitions to engender community conversations

and develop deeper appreciation for the arts.

WGS has always been a supporter for the local talents,

be it the performers, artists, or production companies.

This is evident in the many different hybrid programs organised by WGS

over the years and this is another one of the numerous initiatives

that has been launched to help the arts community. In future,

WGS and Kamal Arts will continue to establish themselves

as the go-to platform for artists and the community alike.

Once again, my heartfelt compliments go out to the artists

who have been presented here today, as well as to the organizers for a job well done.

It is now my pleasure to announce SeniKita 2021 officially open.

Have a wonderful day ahead.