Working the art circuit
Gallery manager Mimie Baharudin has spent most of her career working with the some of the best creative minds in the local arts scene. Having managed many of the events at the artist-run, non-commercial gallery Hom Art Trans in Kuala Lumpur, Mimie has helped with countless exhibitions, and worked with artists of all stripes.
In her eight years with the gallery, however. Mimie noticed something unusual. While most artists were great at the artistic aspects of their careers, they could be quite clueless about the managerial and promotional parts.
“I found out that a lot of artists did not know how to write CVs, or artist’s statements. These were things I wanted to educate them about, because they were important skills,” says Mimie.
This discovery persuaded the determined young woman to forge her own plans of helping Malaysian artists.
“Ever since I started working with Hom in 2008, my dream was to have a space of my own. Originally, I wanted to use it to help female artists and writers. But my objective changed. Instead of a space for just women, I want to use it to help everyone,” she adds. She joined forces with visual artist Najib Bamadhaj to set up Ruang Sementara, a Kuala Lumpur-based arts management company. The company, which is based in Ara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, now has a pop-up space along the Art Row at Publika in Kuala Lumpur.
True to its name, this Ruang Sementara (temporary space) will only be there till September.
Ruang Sementara’s objective is to educate young artists looking to make their names in the local art industry, and as well as raise awareness about their careers. The services encompass general arts management, financial services, exhibition planning, publication support, and arts advocacy. Professional office space and meeting rooms are also available for hire.
Ruang Sementara co-founder Mimie Baharudin with some of the artwork in display in her company’s space.
“We can help artists to build their portfolios, self-manage their website, and so on. It’s not so much about selling artwork, there’s more focus on the behind-the-scenes,” says Mimie. She also stressed that she is not intending to compete with other art galleries.
“At a normal gallery, artists do not have to know all the overhead costs involved in preparing an exhibition, such as rent, utilities and others. But here, they have to know,” explains Mimie.
“We can also help you with networking. Artists can’t do that if they stay in their studios all the time. Even if you’re very good, it will take time to be discovered. But start here, and it becomes much easier to meet people.”
Syahbandi is the first artist to have his works displayed at Ruang Sementara’s space. Photo: The Star/Shaari Chemat
At the moment, Ruang Sementara is featuring the works of Syahbandi Samat, a young artist who has been involved in many local exhibitions. The 24-year-old self-taught Sarawakian artist was also a winner at the Malaysian Emerging Art Award competition, organised by Hom Art Trans and Galeri Chandran, in 2011.
Syahbandi, who carries a stack of ballpoint pens and markers with him, is renowned for his detailed ink works.
“I want to learn, that’s why I’m at Ruang Sementara. There is limited resources for me to learn in Malaysia other than from the people from the industry,” says Syahbandi, who is enjoying his stint as Ruang Sementara’s first resident artist.
The artist’s works on display include his “Weapons” series, which portray influential weapons throughout history, all drawn with ballpoint pen.
“I hope people can learn something from my work. And also realise that ballpoint pens can create good art as well. Anything you can see, if you’re creative enough, you can make something beautiful,” he adds. Apart from artist management services, Ruang Sementara will also be conducting a series of discussions and workshops on art management issues.