Exploring indigenous perspectives: Tribal art exhibition at Wawasan Open University

A captivating tribal art exhibition, titled “Spirited – Human Art of the Non-Human,” is providing a window into the communication of hopes, fears, and coping strategies within indigenous communities.

Hosted at the Homestead, Wawasan Open University (WOU) in George Town, the exhibition showcases artefacts such as totem poles, ritual staffs, figurines, face masks, and wood carvings.

Unveiling tribal art’s philosophical narratives

Tan Yu Kai, currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan with a specialization in marine mollusc macroevolution, takes the curatorship of the exhibition.

The showcase encourages deep philosophical contemplation, raising inquiries about historical displacements, societal inequities, and the intricate connection between human existence and the natural world.

Tan aims to spark a dialogue on the significance of indigenous art in preserving ancestral knowledge and worldview.

“What current inequities are revealed by examining the historical displacement of indigenous people? What have we stripped from the world? What have we lost in our gains? Are our lives fundamentally better than theirs?

“To put it plainly, we all owe our lives, lifestyles and livelihoods to indigenous peoples, the very people that our society sidelines and exploits.

People who, through creation and consumption of art, remember the ancestral knowledge, value systems and world views, could help us reclaim a way of embodying our relationship with the natural world.”

Tan, a former research fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, holds a Master’s in Earth & Environmental Sciences.

He earned a Bachelor’s with triple majors in Biology, Anthropology, and Earth & Environmental Sciences under the Freeman-Asian Scholarship at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

The birth of the tribal art exhibition

Jointly organised by WOU and The George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies (GIOAS), the exhibition spans the Nusantara region, featuring art pieces from Peninsular Malaysia to Papua New Guinea.

Tribal art collector David Goh contributes to the collection, which includes tribal textile pieces (Ikat) from collectors Tan Sri Andrew Sheng and Puan Sri Dr Lim Suan Poh. Sheng, chairman of GIOAS, underscores the importance of showcasing these hidden gems to the public.

During a visit to Goh’s remarkable art collection warehouse, accompanied by his wife and Tan Yu Kai, Sheng initiated the concept of the tribal art exhibition. Reflecting on their passion for tribal art, Sheng expressed the desire to unveil these hidden treasures to the public.

“We realized that there are people in Penang like Goh, who loves collecting. And it is people like him who bring to life the kind of imagination, creativity and entrepreneurial energy that created Entopia, the butterfly farm in Teluk Bahang.

“Just over a year later, Tan’s efforts as curator have culminated in what we witness here today.”

Sheng credited Wawasan Open University Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Stephen Yeap’s heritage home, the Homestead, as the epicentre of culture and arts in Penang. The historic residence, once inhabited by Yeap’s family, now stands as a testament to the vibrancy of culture and arts in the region.

Wawasan Open University Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Stephen Yeap’s heritage home, the Homestead, serves as the cultural and arts hub in Penang. Spirited – A Human Art of the Non-Human is a testament to the vision of showcasing diverse cultural experiences.

Visitors can fully immerse themselves in each artifact, exploring the stories behind the displayed totem poles, ritual staffs, ancestral figurines, face masks, intricately designed wood carvings, diverse butterflies, beetles, and the impressive Atoni mask from Timor-Leste.

The exhibition, open to the public until January 16, 2024, offers an immersive experience with over 30 exquisite art pieces, providing a unique insight into indigenous perspectives and their deep connection to the natural world.

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