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KajoAsks: Making a social impact through art with Mary Anne Vaz

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Self-taught artist Mary Anne Vaz was born in Penang, but she has called Sarawak home since she married her Kelabit husband.

She uses various mediums in her art including batik, acrylic, water colour and pastels.

A prolific painter like one of her idols Vincent Van Gogh, her work has been exhibited in various places such as Lingnan Museum of Art in China, Pustaka Miri and Saradise Gallery, Kuching.

She now teaches both young and old from an art center at her home.

Not content to just paint, she, together with her art students, have started a social project whereby proceeds from sales of their paintings will go to buying story books for Penan children in Ulu Baram.

Recently, KajoMag had the opportunity to learn more about the artist behind the paintings and her inspirations.
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Vaz and some of her paintings.
KajoMag: I understand that you started your journey in art as early as six years old. What do you remember about your paintings as a kid and what made you want to paint?

Mary Anne Vaz: I attended kindergarten where my teacher, a Chinese man gave me a chance to paint. I painted myself climbing a tree. Then I watched my brother paint big canvases with oil paints. I developed a style that was similar to oil painting in that I used very thick paints.

One day my dad told me, “You won a gold medal.” The concept of winning was not in my experience and I replied “ I don’t want a gold medal.” Then, it appeared on TV and in the news. It was the Queens Gold Medal. 
       
I didn’t have any art books or art teachers. All I had was paint, brushes and paper. But there was a book on the human anatomy. From there, I became interested in painting human figures. So, most of my artwork features human figures.              

I am fascinated with the hornbill dances of the Orang Ulu. Several of my paintings are on the dances, tribal attire, and everyday life of the Kelabits. I have also painted the legends of the Kelabits.

Then, I met the famous tattoo artist Ernesto Kalum. I became fascinated with his tattoos and have painted three paintings featuring him, one of them being “Warrior of Peace”.

KajoMag: How would you describe your style as an artist? Are there any painters that you particularly look up to?

Mary Anne Vaz: I am a symbolic artist. My paintings all carry deep messages. For example “ Warrior of Peace” which features Ernesto without his tattoos, without the sword, conveys the message that a leader must lay down his weapons and be vulnerable in order to lead his people to peace and face a brighter future.

I painted this after the summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un. The USA and North Korea meeting was to me a step towards disarmament. This is true courage. A warrior with no weapon is a truly brave warrior. 

I look up to several artists. The first one was Chuah Thean Teng, the Father of Batik, who showed that this traditional style of fabric painting could be fine art. I studied his techniques and created a style of contemporary batik with traditional processes.

The second one is Vincent Van Gogh. I collected books on him. He was a prolific painter and I identify with him as I am also a prolific painter.

The third one is Raphael Scott Abeng from Kuching. He inspired me as a friend and I find his paintings unique and witty social commentary.

The fourth one is Tan Wei Kheng. He is a dear friend; he stretched my first canvas and has always been supportive.

Pustaka produced an e-book on Tan Wei Kheng called Discover Sarawak and I was the researcher and writer of his art. He is also a symbolic artist; his paintings being social commentary and social documentation.

KajoMag: Are there certain places you feel most inspired to paint? If so, where?

Mary Anne Vaz: The place that most inspired me to paint was Bario. Twenty-nine years ago when my eldest son was born , my husband and I walked 12 hours through the jungle from Bario to Pa’ Mada to have the traditional name changing ceremony.

I remember the trees being tall and the floor of the jungle covered with a carpet of leaves. Later, I made a sketch of my father-in-law’s parang and its tree bark sheath.

I then painted it in contemporary batik style. It is now in the Sarawakiana collection of Pustaka Sarawak. I painted the fireplace in “Kelabit Lady” which was exhibited in China in the Lingnam Museum of Art in Foshan in October 2018. 

KajoMag: Can you name the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a part of the Sarawak art industry?

Mary Anne Vaz: The biggest lesson I have learned in being part of the Sarawak Art industry is that an artist must be dynamic, keep learning and growing. No doubt skills with brushes are important, but digital skills are vital to share our art and connect across nations.

Being multilingual is also important. When I went to China I prepared myself by learning to speak Mandarin.

Alta Moda Sarawak is a good example of how artists are being dynamic. Coming together to move forward. The leaders in Alta Moda Sarawak have created a bridge to tomorrow.

KajoMag: Care to share your hope for young artists in Sarawak?

Mary Anne Vaz: My art studio in Miri grooms young artists from as young as six years old. So, my hope is that parents take art seriously.

Give your child a chance to use the correct tools to paint. Give your child a good art tutor to mentor his growth. Let young artists develop their own style. I am happy that in my studio there are several young artists with very high potential.

I share my own techniques with them and encourage them to have their own vision. Parents have been very supportive in giving them time and resources to grow. What we need is more opportunities to exhibit the work of young artists.

KajoMag: Tell us more about your social project to buy books and reference books for the Penan children in Ulu Baram.

Mary Anne Vaz: My students and I started sending books to schools in Ulu Baram with the help of a friend who travels there regularly.

Each time my students sell a painting for RM50, they voluntarily donate RM10 to buy a story book. I also buy books that promote early reading such as books using phonics.

I will put about 20 books in a bag and give to my friend who takes them to the teachers there.

When I sell my paintings. I also buy some books for this purpose. I am thinking that story books are a source of joy, different from school books.
The Penan children and other children who live far from town may not have a chance to enjoy story books. Besides these, I have also bought encyclopedias for them.

About Alta Moda Sarawak

Interested viewers can catch Vaz and her works during this upcoming Alta Moda Sarawak.

To be held from March 7-9 at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building in Kuching, 24 designers and brands will be taking part in this event which aims to highlight the many colours of Sarawak’s cultures and diversities.

Check more of Vaz’s works on her website or follow her on Instagram.

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The grandeur of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is located at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

When travelling to Brunei, it is hard not to miss the magnificent architectural sight of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

Located in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque serves as a symbol of Islamic faith in Brunei.

Considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific, here are some fun facts about the majestic building.

 

Who is Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin?

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The late Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III was the father of the current Sultan of Brunei (Picture source: Tanwir.my/)

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei. Known as The Architect of Modern Brunei, he was the one who initiated the construction of the mosque.

Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III ruled from June 4th, 1950 until his voluntary abdication from the throne on October 5th, 1967. He was replaced by his eldest son, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.

When was it built?

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The mosque was built between 1954 and 1958

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was built between 1954 and 1958. It was designed by A.O Coltman of Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects of UK, based in Malaysia at the time.

The mosque, a blend of Western and oriental architecture is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape, making it the best spot for selfies and sketching activities.

While you cannot take pictures inside the mosque, its interior is equally dazzling. The floor and walls are made from marble columns with stained glass windows and beautiful carvings. The granite is said to be from Shanghai, the chandeliers from England, and the carpets from Saudi Arabia and Belgium. The doors of the mosque were made from timber imported from the Philippines.

It is said that the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque can accommodate up to 3,000 people at a time.

 

Is that a gold dome?

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The gold dome is one of the distinguish feature of the mosque

Yes it is!

Made of pure gold, the gold domes are one of the most prominent features of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

The domes contain 3.3 million fragments of Venetian mosaic, over a surface of 520m².

Apart from the gold dome, another exquisite feature of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is the main minaret. It reaches a height of 52 metres, offering a great view of the city.

 

Why is there a boat in the middle of the lake?

In the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque courtyard, you can see a ceremonial barge or mahligai.

The ceremonial barge is placed in the middle of an artificial lagoon on the banks of the Brunei River at Kampong Ayer.

It is a replica of a 16th century royal barge of Sultan Bolkiah, who was the 5th ruler of Brunei.

The royal barge was used by the then Sultan in his maritime exploits in the old days.

Completed in 1967, the barge was built to commemorate the 1, 400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran (also known as Quran Revelation Day). It was also once used for Quran reading competitions.

 

Can a non-muslim visit the mosque?

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Remember to remove your footwear and dress appropriately when visiting the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Of course!

Visitors are allowed to visit the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque during non-praying time. The mosque is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 8.30 am to noon, 1.30 to 3 pm and 4.30 to 5.30 pm and closed on Thursday and Friday.

So, if you plan on visiting the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, remember to remove your footwear and dress appropriately!

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Subway, the most famous sandwich in Korean drama-land

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Subway is one of the most famous product placement (PPLs) brands in Korean dramas.

You’ll see everybody eating it, whether they’re on a date, saving a life or taking a break.

No matter how many times they feature the sandwiches being elegantly devoured by flawless Korean actors and actresses though, the American sandwich still seems out of place.

As a viewer, I perfectly understand PPLs are important to generate income for dramas, but having a Subway sandwich turn up in almost every corner of an episode seems to be pushing it.

For example, how would you comfort a guy who attempted to commit suicide? Do you recommend he gets counselling or do you hand him a Subway sandwich like Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo) did in Goblin (2017)?

My point is, the PPLs can get a tad ridiculous.

Nonetheless, I have to give credit to the writers for managing to insert an honest observation of the sandwich.

When Kim Shin tells Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) that she should have some while he himself is enjoying one, Ji replies “It’s expensive. How can we buy two?” Bingo!

Subway promotes itself in Korean dramas as the meal to have while on a break. You’ll see the Grim Reaper in Goblin eating alone at a Subway outlet after a long day at work.

What better way to end your day sending the dead to the afterlife by having an American sandwich right?

Who ate the most Subway sandwiches in Korean dramas?

Perhaps the people from a specific profession which had the most Subway sandwiches during their breaks in Korean drama-land are the doctors.

In Descendants of the Sun (2016), Dr Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo) had a few subtle scenes enjoying the sandwich while Good Doctor (2013), Dr Cha Yoon Seo (Moon Chae Yeon) is seen having a sandwich break with her colleagues at Subway.

Meanwhile, Dr Jung Yoon Do (Yoon Kyun Sang), Dr Jin Seo Woo (Lee Sung Kyung) and a few other colleagues also had their piece of sandwich action (keep it clean, people!) in Doctors (2016).

On top of being a quick grab for lunch, Subway sandwiches are also being advertised as the perfect food for a picnic date.

Of course when you are as beautiful as Yoona and your date is as hot as Ji Chang Wook like in K2 (2016), even the grass looks enticing to eat.

Subway also starred in Prime Ministers and I (2013), Defendant (2017) and Big Man (2014).

The product placement seems to be working well for Subway though. A quick glance at their website revealed that there were 313 stores in South Korea alone, while Malaysia has 220 outlets. (The latter might be debatable though, as there are only 52 locations posted on the website.)

Do you agree this American franchise is overdoing it when it comes to PPL in Korean dramas? Or does their marketing strategy work and make you crave for a Subway while you’re watching a K-drama? Let us know in the comment box!

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Feeding the Penan community in Long Urun, Belaga

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It’s 8 am and the rented four-wheel drive is already packed with food, cooking utensils and anthropometric measuring equipment.

These tools – weighing scales, height measures – will help nutritionist Nicholas Alvin George and his team of nurses later on in the day when they visit the Penan communities in Long Urun.

For now, having a heavy breakfast is a must since they will have no time to lunch later in the afternoon.

Ironically, they are going to a place where they will be cooking but the food is not for them.

Nicholas and his team are part of Community Feeding Programme under the Malaysian Government Transformation Programme, GTP 2.0.

It is a plan to improve the nutritional status of Orang Asli children aged 6 months to below 6 years of age in rural Perak, Pahang, Kelantan and the Penan community in Sarawak.

The programme became one of the Ministerial Key Performance Indicators (MKPI) for Ministry of Health in 2013.

“They don’t have the same conveniences we have,” Nicholas said of the remote Penan communities they will be visiting. “We have food to cook at home but they depend on nature and their environment.”

The Penans are known as a nomadic indigenous people in Sarawak but over time most of them have settled in longhouses. They still prefer hunting and gathering jungle produce as means of survival.

“It is easy to say that these ‘nomads’ can survive since they live in the forest,” said Nicholas. But these days the forests they are living have become ‘sawit’ or oil palm forests.

“One of the elders told me, ‘We never had problems like this before. When I was young we had more than enough (to eat).'”

The journey to the Belaga interior

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The nearest towns to Belaga is Bintulu which is 2-3 hours’ drive away and Kapit 4.5 hours away by boat.

A road map shows the distance between Sungai Asap Clinic to Long Urun.
A road map showing the distance between Sungai Asap Clinic to Long Urun.

The journey from Sungai Asap Clinic, where Nicholas and his team are attached to is one to two hours away from Long Urun, Belaga.

“The length of the journey depends on the weather. If it is raining, the road will be slippery so we need to take our time.”

The road to Long Urun is bumpy and untarred as it is a logging road. Nicholas described the journey like getting a ride on a massage chair except the ‘massage session’ resulted in muscle ache.

The Community Feeding Programme in Long Urun currently covers six longhouses – Rumah Ating, Rumah Adih, Rumah Besi, Rumah Dang, Rumah Labang and Rumah Pait.

St. Anthony De Padua Catholic Church near Rumah Ating.
St Anthony De Padua Catholic Church near Rumah Ating.

There are 83 children registered with this programme. This number includes those who are malnourished and those who are of normal weight.

This is to ensure the children with normal weight are still being monitored and do not fall into the malnourished category.

They also have Penan volunteers helping in the programme, preparing food for the children from Mondays to Fridays around 7 to 8am.

A volunteer helps preparing the food for the children.
A volunteer helping to prepare food for the children.

Instilling healthy eating among the Penan communities

Nicholas and his team usually visit the centre every month for five days.

“During the visit, we send one month’s food ration stored in a room which has been agreed upon by the longhouse chief to be used for this programme.

“We will measure the registered children’s anthropometry with a measuring mat for babies, a stadiometer (to measure height) and weighing scale. This is important for us to see the nutritional status of the child and the effectiveness of this programme.”

They then plot the children’s growth rate against the World Health Organisation growth chart for infants 0 – 5 years old and children 5 to 10 years old.

The team also has to check for head lice and cut their fingernails if necessary as well as check for any visible signs of health issues.

Once they’ve completed the health checks, they cook for them.

Nicholas cooks for the Penan children.
Nicholas cooking for the Penan children.

Nicholas said they designed the menu to provide them with the right amount of calories and nutrients. Some of the menu items they introduced are porridge with eggs and green vegetables, ‘linut’ (a kind of sago paste) with fried eggs and fern.

“For them, it is luxury food. Usually the food I prepare for them are high-calorie and high-protein food but most importantly a balanced diet.”

According to Nicholas, there is a small-scale sundry shop in the area which could take them 20 minutes to reach by foot, but essential foods like eggs, meat, fish and chicken won’t be available all the time as it is a small family business.

“Being a nutritionist, it won’t be enough just to provide them with the right food to eat,” he said as educating and raising awareness of healthy eating are the most important parts of their job.

He also observed that the remnants of their hunter-gatherer lifestyle means that they don’t eat a balanced diet and that they tend to skip meals.

The children line up for food.
The children lining up for food.

Healthy eating in a challenging environment

Nicholas found communication easy with the Penans as they understand and converse well in Malay.

But getting them to practice healthy eating is difficult in the interior when they live a low-income, subsistence lifestyle.

“For them eating is simply just eating—nothing more than that and as long as they eat,” he said.

Without the programme, the villagers may typically eat ‘linut’ or tapioca leaves.

“They will usually hunt for animals but its not like going to a grocery shop where you just pick up what you want and that’s it. It may take them awhile to hunt – the fastest would be a day but it may take days and up to a week,” Nicholas explained.

He added that once they’ve returned with the spoils of their hunt which could include wild boar, they divide it up among themselves and eat it that same day as they have no refrigerators.

Hygiene is another concern for Nicholas and his team as the children can be spotted playing with mud or dirt on their hands. Plus, it is normal for them to see the children running around without slippers, another concern as it can lead to worm infection, one of the causes of malnourishment in children.

Nicholas noted that educating the parents is not a ‘one-time thing’.

“We can’t tell them everything at a time. It has to be gradual and done repeatedly,” he said. “This may take time but it is necessary for them to understand.”

 

Porridge with egg and green vegetable.
Porridge with eggs and green vegetables.

‘Linut’ with fried egg and fern
‘Linut’ with fried egg and fern

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