Development of Private Art Gallery in Malaysia: 1940 - 1960

Perkembangan Galeri Seni Persendirian di Malaysia: 1940 - 1960

Abstract

The development of modern art in the country has been influenced by several factors, including the establishment and existence of private art galleries. Penang was a popular location for this creative industry sector in its early stages. This study looks chronologically at the establishment of as many private art galleries as possible from the 1940s to the 1960s in Malaysia. Private art galleries play an essential role in national art development. The activities carried out by private art galleries play a significant role in an artist's career. This study's objective was to chronologically document the establishment of private art galleries and their successful activities. Methods of gathering information through various publications by private galleries were carried out. Starting with two galleries founded by two pioneering painters in the British Colonial era in Penang, this creative-based industry expanded to Kuala Lumpur in line with its function as the country's economic and administrative centre. A total of eight galleries were detected carrying out activities related to art; this helped the process of development of local art at that time.

Abstrak

Proses perkembangan seni lukis moden negara telah dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor, antaranya ialah penubuhan dan kewujudan galeri-galeri seni persendirian. Pada peringkat awalnya Pulau Pinang merupakan lokasi yang popular untuk sektor industri kreatif ini. Kajian ini melihat secara kronologi penubuhan sebanyak mungkin galeri seni persendirian bermula dari era 1940-an sehingga 1960-an di Malaysia. Galeri seni persendirian mempunyai peranan penting dalam proses perkembangan seni lukis negara. Aktiviti yang dijayakan oleh galeri seni persendirian memainkan peranan besar dalam kerjaya seorang pelukis. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mendokumentasikan secara kronologi penubuhan galeri seni persendirian dan kegiatan yang telah dijayakan. Kaedah pengumpulan maklumat melalui pelbagai bahan penerbitan oleh galeri-galeri persendirian telah dijalankan. Bermula dengan dua buah galeri yang diasaskan oleh dua tokoh pelukis perintis di era Kolonial British di Pulau Pinang, industri berasaskan kreatif ini berkembang ke Kuala Lumpur sejajar dengan fungsinya sebagai pusat ekonomi dan pentadbiran negara. Sejumlah lapan galeri dikesan menjalankan kegiatan berkaitan dengan seni lukis, ini membantu proses perkembangan seni lukis tempatan pada ketika itu.