The Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) together with the National Art Gallery launched the introductory program for community-based tourism to anchor underwater sculptures off the coast of Pulau Pasir, Langkawi.
Lada chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib said the initiative was in line with Lada’s direction of supporting more green and community tourism activities.
“There has been a global increase in environmentally conscious travellers, with most of them looking for ways to reconnect with nature and seek new sustainable experiences. Bearing this in mind, we felt it was an ideal time to collaborate with the National Art Gallery to bring this project to life.
“We look forward to these beautifully carved sculptures being placed at Pulau Pasir, near Pulau Jemuruk,” he said during the launch.
Also present at the launch event held at Pengkalan Kubang Badak, Langkawi were Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) secretary-general Datuk Hajah Saraya Arbi, National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad as well as the project’s nine sculpture artists.
The program which started in January this year involved the local community consisting of fishermen, scuba diving operators and local artisans to create this attractive yet distinctive underwater masterpiece.
A total of nine experienced artists created the unique and aesthetically pleasing sculptures to encourage marine life to take hold and flourish. They were encouraged to use the myths and legends of Langkawi Island as their main point of reference when producing their artwork.
Nasaruddin said both parties had come out with the idea for this project after witnessing a huge number of coral reefs having disappeared in the last decade, due to the skyrocketing levels of human-made carbon emissions.
“If those number were not alarming enough, scientists have warned that 80% of the reefs could be gone by 2050. The production and physical structure of the sculpture is not just a mere work of art. In fact, it also serves as a host to the various fish species as well as other marine ecology.
“The presence of these sculptures will further enrich the marine habitat, which will provide an abundance of sustenance to the local community and will be a catalyst for new eco-marine tourism,” he added.
“We are honoured to be able to work with Lada to not only highlight the potential and creativity of our local artist but also play our part in conserving marine life.
“We are always looking at ways and opportunities to collaborate with different parties and bring about positive change in the local community. Through all that we do, we place the needs of the community as our main priority,” said Amerrudin.
Among the materials used for the structures were treated concrete cement to ensure it was safe and friendly to the marine ecosystem and ecology.
Amerrudin said the statues have rough patches of texture to help coral larvae gain a strong foothold, and curves to allow fish and other types of marine life to duck in and out of their new marine homes. The statues will be placed anywhere from two to six meters underwater to being partially submerged in the water, to act as a stable base for reefs to form.
The installation’s locations were carefully chosen in order to catch coral larvae and other marine life floating by.
Low Chee Peng was among the sculptor artists who showcased their artwork at the event. Originating from Penang, he has been in the industry for more than 20 years.
“Having worked on this project for about three weeks, my artwork was inspired by the Legend of Mahsuri and the curse of the seven generations. This would be my first time participating in an event as such and I decided to do so because of my passion and interest to bring about change,” he said.
For full-time artist, Umi Baizurah Mahir @ Ismail, her artwork was titled “Permata Hinggap” to represent all the valuable items on the island.
“I was drawn to this project when I found out that the artwork would be submerged in water. It would be the first for me hence, I could not resist the once in a lifetime opportunity.
“My artwork is closely related to the local community, especially for the iconic eagle at the top and the lifebuoy that represents balance. I have also included children’s toys within my artwork to represent the future generation,” she said.
In 2007, Langkawi was awarded Unesco Global Geopark status, the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia and it is also one of only 177 worldwide to date.
