A group photo of Mr. Kendy Mitot (front row: second from left) and his proud colleagues from TAR UC’s Creative Arts Department at his showcase in PETRONAS Art Gallery.

Mr. Kendy Mitot with his mixed media art installation – Bilayar Simonggi I’eng D’e Piobuo (The Last Voyage of the Souls/Spirits) and Tipaduak wood carving

Images (1) & (2) : Mr. Kendy Mitot interviewed by Selamat Pagi Malaysia (SPM), TV1, RTM. Image (3) : Mr. Kendy Mitot presents his mixed media art installation to viewers at the PETRONAS Art Gallery.

Faint shadows of hovering native sailboats surfaced across one of the exhibition spaces within PETRONAS Art Gallery, KLCC, originating from a mixed media masterpiece delicately made from natural strands of sago frond, boyuh tree bark, rattan and binuak wood by Mr. Kendy Mitot, Creative Arts academic of TAR UC’s Faculty of Social Science, Arts & Humanities. Mr. Mitot’s art installation entitled "Bilayar Simonggi I’eng D’e Piobuo” (The Last Voyage of the Souls/Spirits), is an extension of his PhD research which focuses on embracing the indigenous values of the Bidayuh culture.

“Being an academic goes beyond just teaching. It is also about educating communities on the humanity aspect through our work so as to set examples for our younger generation,” said Mr. Mitot. Looking on were Mr. Mitot’s supportive colleagues and students from TAR UC who came to share in his awe-inspiring moment at the PETRONAS Art Gallery on 21st February 2017.

Mr. Mitot’s artwork resembles the Bidayuh’s ritual of journeying paddy spirits crossing into another realm to be reunited with the souls of their ancestors in the “Manah : Alam Pusaka Kehidupan (A Living Legacy)” exhibition by Prof. Madya Dr. Hj. Baharuddin Bin Modn Arus, curator for the Manah exhibition. Along with other local indigenous artists, Mr. Mitot’s art piece sheds light on aboriginal fine art through historical moments that incorporate Malaysian indigenous cultural design – a highly praised showcase at the PETRONAS Art Gallery.

“Mr. Mitot’s artwork is personal and yet modern. It resonates not just with the art world, giving viewers an insight into the indigenous worldview and healing - indeed a great stride for our Malaysian contemporary art,” said Ms. Tan Yar Shi, Programme Leader of Creative Arts.