On May 1, 2024, I participated in a one-month artist residency at Bon Ton Locale, (@bontonlocale) located on the beautiful island of Langkawi in northern Malaysia. Bon Ton Locale is a special project headed by Narelle MacMurtie. This lovely location is next to Bon Ton Resort & Restaurant.
During the pandemic in 2020, Narelle and her friends built the gallery at Bon Ton Locale. A complete place now that hosts artists, workshops, and a gallery to showcase their work. But the initiative doesn’t stop there; the area also provides a shelter for stray dogs and cats on the island, run by a group of locals and volunteers. I observed a neutering campaign organised by animal activists and volunteers. The surgeries were performed by students from the veterinary faculty of a local university, successfully neutering 100 dogs and cats.
During my stay, I continued to explore the theme “Love, No Pedigree.” This theme not only highlights our furry friends but also prompts reflection on how we, as humans, live our lives and the respect we show one another. It is essential to cultivate an environment where mutual respect is a priority, enabling us to connect and coexist harmoniously.
I shared my residency with two talented artists, Aer (aer.looxt) – from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Octocornelius (octocornelius.blogspot.co.id) from Yogyakarta, Indonesia and before we concluded our time there, each of us organised a workshop to the local. It is a community service initiative and a great way to raise awareness about art.
