By Aida Aziz
IPOH: Concerns about career direction and uncertainty over suitable opportunities remain key reasons many young Malaysians abandon their artistic aspirations.
Despite this, the multifaceted field of arts holds significant value for the nation and can cultivate entrepreneurial skills among practitioners.
Datuk Ahmad Lothfi Ibrahim, President of the Perak Painters Association (PPPk), urged parents to dispel persistent misconceptions and actively support children who demonstrate artistic talent and interest.
“Perceiving the arts as a field that leads nowhere is fundamentally flawed. When children show aptitude in any artistic discipline, it is important to nurture and guide their interests.
“The arts encompass a wide range of disciplines, including music, carving, printmaking, painting, embroidery, and handicrafts, among others.
“I often see young people discouraged from pursuing the arts, or choosing it only because they were rejected by other fields. Too often, they abandon their studies halfway simply because they lack clear direction,” Ahmad Lothfi added.
He was speaking to Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic after officiating the Visual Arts Exhibition Semester 3 “Putera Perennial and Wall Sketch” at Seri Putera Sixth Form College (KTESP) on Monday.
The event was also attended by KTESP Director Raja Yusof Raja Baniamin, representatives from Balai Seni Negara, and the People of Remarkable Talents in Ipoh.
Ahmad Lothfi emphasised the importance of artists evolving as creators and entrepreneurs by leveraging existing technology and digital platforms.
“Today’s artists can become creators, lecturers, educators, or entrepreneurs. There are numerous platforms available for them to showcase and sell their artwork to a wider audience.
“With the right approach, the arts in this country have the potential to grow exponentially, as creativity extends far beyond traditional painting,” he said.
The exhibition featured 43 final‑year projects by Semester 3 sixth‑form students.
Semester 1 Young Visual Award winner, 18‑year‑old Muhammad Afiq Danish Muhammad Alif, said his ambition is to become an art teacher.
“The notion that the arts lead nowhere is incorrect. Producing work that conveys a message and impact requires a high level of skill and dedication,” he said.
Fellow award recipient, 18‑year‑old Soong Bao Heng, revealed his goal of becoming a fashion designer.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist with generating creative ideas. It does not hinder human creativity when used appropriately,” he emphasised.
In conjunction with the event, Ahmad Lothfi also launched a mural project themed “Global Thinking Begins With Local Understanding,” executed by 30 students, including participants from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Seri Iskandar.
The mural, displayed on the college building, features portraits of three celebrated Perak figures: Datuk Lat, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, and a kacang putih (traditional peanut snack) entrepreneur from Buntong.
