Emerging local artists uplifted in RHB's Art with Heart exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- RHB Bank Bhd uplifted young local artists, especially those from the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) community in its fourth installment of the Art with Heart (AwH) exhibition.

RHB Group Managing Director Mohd Rashid Mohamad said the exhibition to be held at the Bangsar Shopping Centre here starting tomorrow to Sept 11, will showcase more than 130 art pieces by 53 emerging artists, with seven of them autistic and seven more visually impaired. 

He said this year’s AwH exhibition was themed "Rising Together" as the last two years had been a challenging time for all Malaysians as well as for local artists who struggled to sell their artwork during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Their art captured the spirit of solidarity, compassion and diversity of Malaysians. It is more meaningful as our exhibition coincides with the International Charity Day and leads up to our Hari Malaysia celebration on Sept 16," he said at the AwH Exhibition Special Preview here today.

Mohd Rashid also said besides providing a platform for local artists to showcase and sell their art, AwH was also held to help out the unfortunate, especially the B40 community, since 20 per cent of the proceeds from the exhibition will be channeled to charitable initiatives through the RHB Foundation.

Meanwhile, RHB Foundation Chief Executive Officer Norazzah Sulaiman said she was content that disabled artists were given the chance to showcase their "fantastic talent".

"We find that they are very detailed in their drawing. They use art as a platform to bring out their feelings and emotions. As such, let's be diverse, inclusive and equitable," she said. 

Maryam Zhafira Anuar, 10, born with Down Syndrome, was one of such artists found exhibiting her work of art here today and interestingly, she managed to sell two out of three at a price tag of RM1,500 and RM2,600.

Her mother, Sharifah Sarah Syed Mohamed Tahir said being disabled was not a limitation for Maryam Zhafira and it proved that as long as children with disabilities were given the right support, they are able to do well and be confident with themselves.

"We hope other parents do not feel disheartened by the diagnosis oc their children," she said. 

-- BERNAMA