KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, called on Sarawakian artists living abroad to return home and contribute to the State’s growing creative landscape, emphasising that art plays a vital role in preserving cultural identity and shaping Kuching’s vision for 2030.
Speaking at the opening of the ‘Memories of Home’ exhibition at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall, last night, Wee said that Sarawak’s progress in industry and innovation must be matched by efforts to protect and celebrate its creative soul.
“Sarawak is your home, and we need talented artists like you to come back and help shape our vision for a greater Kuching by 2030,” he said, addressing guests and the featured artist, Marvin Chew.
The mayor described Chew’s watercolour works as powerful reflections of belonging and memory, adding that they “offer windows into moments that feel both deeply personal and universally familiar”.
Wee said that exhibitions like ‘Memories of Home’ invite the public to pause and reflect on what home truly means, not merely as a place but as an emotion carried in one’s heart.
“Home is not only geography, but also a comfort we carry within us.
“Through art, stories of our past live on and continue to inspire future generations,” he added.
He praised Hoan Gallery for its continued commitment to nurturing local talent and providing a space where art and community can meet.
He also commended La Promenade Mall for fostering a welcoming environment that supports creative expression.
Wee said MBKS remains proud to support initiatives that keep Kuching’s cultural heritage alive and accessible.
“Art is not just decoration. It is a bridge that connects generations, builds understanding, and enriches lives,” he said.
He also expressed delight that the exhibition features interactive sessions where visitors can meet the artist and observe his creative process, a move he believed will inspire young talents and deepen public appreciation for the arts.
Wee congratulated Chew on achieving a personal milestone with his first solo exhibition in Kuching, expressing hope that it would be “the first of many successful showcases to come”.
‘Memories of Home’ is open to the public for one month with free admission.
