KUALA LUMPUR, 4 May 2018:
Local artist Mohd Zulfadli Ahmad Nawawi – aka Akid One – aims to showcase Malaysian culture when he represents the country at the Wall to Wall Festival 2019 in Victoria, Australia.
Zulfadli was today named the grand winner of the second edition “Make Your Mark in Melbourne” street art competition this year – organised by Visit Victoria (Victoria’s tourism and events company) in collaboration with Malaysia’s leading property developer UEM Sunrise Bhd and Publika Shopping Gallery.
With a mural titled “I love MelBURN”, Zulfadli bagged a cash prize of RM15,000, a trip to Melbourne, sponsored merchandise and the chance to get his very own wall at the Wall to Wall 2019, the only street art festival of its kind in Australia.
Shaun Hossack, artistic director of the Victoria’s Wall to Wall Festival, who is also the chief judge of the competition here, announced the first runner-up Kong Chak Kiong will also have the chance to get his very own space at Wall to Wall 2019.
Alex Yong, deputy general of Sun Victory Sdn Bhd, a unit of Sunrise, said Zulfadli, Kong and other shortlisted artists in the competition may enjoy another career breakthrough with the opportunity to showcase their art works at UEM Sunrise developments in Melbourne.
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria.
Meanwhile, UEM Sunrise Bhd chief executive officer and managing director Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, in a statement, said the group’s affinity with Melbourne is evident with projects developments notably, the Aurora Melbourne Central, Conservatory and Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Mayfair project.
In September, UEM Sunrise will be handing over the keys to purchasers of its A$300 million (RM900 million) Conservatory, a luxury residential building located on Mackenzie street in Melbourne.
Anwar said the completion of the Conservatory development marks an important piece of history for the company as it has led UEM Sunrise to raise the bar in fulfilling its promise of delivering quality luxury projects in Australia.
“Aurora Melbourne Central is also set to be handed over to purchasers from the third quarter of 2018 onwards while site works for Mayfair will be commencing this year.”
He said Melbourne is not only a great place to conduct business but with its vibrant culture, the coastal capital is also an ideal place to showcase local street art talent as a Malaysian company represented there.
“We are therefore delighted to team up with Visit Victoria and Publika in organising this competition, which will take Malaysian artists to an international level by providing a platform for the top finalists the opportunity to showcase their works in our projects in Melbourne.
“As developers in Melbourne, we are excited to exercise our responsibility to contribute to the city’s vibrant culture by advocating the creative arts as it enhances liveability and asset-value of a development and its surrounding community.”
The finalists’ works of ‘Make Your Mark in Melbourne’ competition and Shaun Hossack’s photo exhibit can be viewed at The Square and Level G3 at Publika until May 15.
– Bernama
Photo: (Standing from left) 2nd runner-up Goh Jiat Sin aka Artai; grand prize winner, Mohd Zulfadli Ahmad Nawawi aka Akid One; 1st runner-up Kong Chak Kiong
(Bottom) Ooi Ying Guat, Chang Jean Lynn, William Sii Tong Ung aka Will Sii, Muhammad Sherwan Rozan, Yeng Kian Han aka Sky, Muhammad Sukor Romat, Ellie Yong Sze Ching aka SillyJellie