GEORGE TOWN: ART celebrating nature is shown in an exhibition in aid of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia, in Island Gallery at 6, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, ending today.
The annual event, Art for Nature, features 63 artworks by 34 artists as well as selected pieces by 15 artists from three private collections.
In her welcoming speech, gallery owner Cheong Mei Fong said part of the proceeds would be channelled to the WWF Malaysia for its conservation programmes.
The theme this year is Celebrating Nature.
“Our target of RM40,000 has been exceeded. We hope to improve the amount collected by the end of the exhibition,” she said.
WWF Malaysia executive director and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma spoke about the effects of rapid development on the environment worldwide.
“As we celebrate the natural world and its influences on art, respect nature and acknowledge how we are deeply intertwined with it, our sense of reverence and gratitude grows.
“The artworks show this positive interaction and the beauty of nature reflected in them is one more reminder of the need to protect it,” he said.
Dionysius said these exhibits should remind the viewer to cultivate a loving attitude towards nature.
He said the Living Planet Report 2014 showed that the ecological footprint was continuing to grow, to the detriment of Earth.
“A survey released in our country recently revealed that there could only be 250 to 340 wild Malaysian tigers left and that the number was probably declining.
“The bearded pig and pangolin are facing the same fate, while the Sumatran rhino and leatherback turtles populations are no longer viable in the wild.”
Dionysius said it was only with public support that WWF Malaysia was able to achieve its mission.
“I urge the viewer to look beyond the canvas to the stories that inspired the art and support WWF Malaysia in its critical conservation work in Malaysia,” he said.
Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng was also present.
The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm daily.
Admission is free.
For details, call Cheong at 016-437 6687.
