UEM Sunrise spotlights local artists in support of environmental and animal conservation

UEM Sunrise Berhad (“UEM Sunrise” or the “Company”), one of Malaysia’s leading property developers has unveiled its latest community engagement initiative titled “K’Artulistiwa” at the KAIA Heights sales gallery last Saturday.

The art initiative aims to work and strengthen ties with the community by having the Company’s sales galleries showcase works by local artists as well as becoming a space for various community-led art activities such as murals, art workshops and solo and group exhibitions by artists. These activities are open to the public as an effort to spark interest and spread awareness on environmental and animal conservation as well as preservation of cultural heritage.

“K’Artulistiwa” is a play of the word ‘khatulistiwa’ which is Malay for ‘equator’ and symbolises Malaysia’s geographical location, ‘K’ represents the Company’s flagship township of Mont’Kiara, ‘art’ being a tool to bring communities together and ‘tulis’ is Malay for ‘write’ which represents self-expression. Lastly, "Istiwa" means "to rise" in Arabic, which is aligned with UEM Sunrise's philosophy.

Driven by the Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, the art initiative also intends to highlight elements of the Company’s ESG framework, particularly the ‘Environmental’ and ‘Social’ aspects by putting forth the urgent need to protect biodiversity as well as highlighting the importance of supporting community needs.

“UEM Sunrise sees art as a vehicle for communication and social change. Art is after all a pillar of any civilized society. It is important that we lead by example by practicing environmentally and socially sensitive development strategies. Our local artists are now our advocates,” said UEM Sunrise Chief Executive Officer, Sufian Abdullah.

He added that plans are underway to roll out the art initiative to the Company’s other sales galleries in the near future.

“With our sales galleries becoming more than just spaces for sale transactions and to showcase our developments, they can double up as a creative platform and space. It is our hope that we can work together with our local artists on a deeper level to develop a self-sustainable community which not only champions wildlife conservation, but also champions art as a form of expression and a means to support the local economy,” Sufian said.

In kickstarting the very first “K’Artulistiwa”, UEM Sunrise has teamed up with environmental and wildlife conservationist artist, Suzi Chua, whose combined passions in art and environmental conservation have inspired her to champion the cause through various art forms. The initiative was launched at the Company’s appreciation event with its loyal customers called Trésorians.

Suzi said, “The rainforest is home to many types of animals - large and small. Due to deforestation, natural habitats are shrinking fast, with many wild animals losing their homes. As an environmental and wildlife conservationist artist, I now see it as my mission to be the voice for them, addressing this alarming issue in our society. Hopefully, their voices can be heard through my paintings - raising awareness and protecting them from becoming extinct. Through my collaboration with UEM Sunrise, I am able to bring art into interior design and ‘breathe life’ into the KAIA Heights sales gallery.”

Her artworks are currently on display around the KAIA Heights sales gallery located at Taman Equine, Seri Kembangan and the public is free to view and purchase them. Part of the proceeds from the sales will directly go into supporting conservation efforts for the Malayan tiger and Bornean sun bear and their habitats. Both animals are local to the Malaysian wildlife ecosystem and are currently facing extinction.

Event : “K’Artulistiwa”
Date : 12 March onwards
Time : 10am to 5pm daily
Venue : KAIA Heights Sales Gallery, Taman Equine, Seri Kembangan
FREE ADMISSION

This content is provided by UEM Sunrise.

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