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ASEAN GALLERY

Bruneian Art Scene is Taking Off
By _‌Eunkyung Chung(art columnist)

 

Brunei Darussalam, an Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia, is one of the wealthiest ASEAN countryies with a per capita GDP second only to Singapore. It is a small country bordering Malaysia, with a population less than 450,000 (as of 2020) inhabiting an area about half that of Gyeonggi-do in South Korea. Although Brunei Darussalam is not typically thought of as a hub of contemporary art, the country has a small but growing number of artists some with training at institutions abroad working in a wide range of careers, such as illustrators, graphic designers, and government agency workers.

Brunei Darussalam’s economy is supported mainly by oil and natural gas accounting for 90% of its total exports and 65% of its overall GDP. The enormous revenue from these exports has provided a good quality of life for the nation’s residents, which, in turn, has allowed for a budding art scene in recent years. Nevertheless, with no national museum of contemporary art, and relatively few galleries and full-time artists, Brunei Darussalam’s contemporary arts remain sorely underrepresented globally.

Cultural exchange between the Brunei and Korea began after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1984. Since the sultan, or king, of Brunei Darussalam visited Korea in 2000, 2014, and 2019, there has been a steady exchange of arts and culture between the artists and institutions of both countries. With growing support from the Bruneian government, as well as rising overseas collaboration, quite a few local arts groups have taken shape, leading Brunei Darussalam to begin carving out a niche for itself in the art world. That being said, local artists still have a long way to go, but the Islamic-inspired architecture of the nation’s mosques, royal palace, and arts and crafts provide a strong foundation for aspiring young artists to draw from as they explore new ways to represent their country to the world.

If you would like to learn more about Bruneian art, we recommend stopping by to the permanent exhibition on the second floor of the ASEAN Culture House for a glimpse into the small but rich arts and culture of Brunei Darussalam.