KUALA LUMPUR: The Cultural Economy Development Agency’s (Cendana) has made a further push into promoting high quality Malaysian craft products for international markets.
Cendana said its flagship art and culture programme, Art In The City (AITC) will see the introduction of a new brand, Studio C, which aims to curate and shape a contemporary, lively and inspiring selection of high-quality Malaysian craft products.
“With the slogan, Our Craft Your World, this branded effort hopes to contribute to Malaysian artisans’ financial independence and the preservation of their cultural heritage to a wider market via homegrown e-commerce platforms, pop-ups, and social and conceptual events,” it said.
Cendana founding chief executive officer Izan Satrina said as part of its expansion into developing and promoting the craft sector, it is working on increasing appreciation and consumerism for Malaysian craft works.
Izan said Studio C is a pilot effort to further gather market data and insights before accelerating its craft export efforts to international markets in 2022.
“Besides product quality, pricing, timely delivery, marketing, and product packaging are equally important. Hence, we are hoping to strengthen this via Studio C,” she said.
Cendana’s Studio C is travelling to the inner roads of Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Selangor, letting loose with a kaleidoscope of colour, soft motifs and natural textures.
Cendana said Studio C’s inaugural effort will see a congregation of 700 talented Malaysian women weavers and artisans, social enterprises, and collaborative villages that is dedicated to the production, promotion, and proliferation of Malaysian craft products.
“Studio C’s first collection welcomes year-end season shoppers to explore Malaysia’s best contemporary, lively, and inspiring selection of ceramic, mengkuang, plaited craft products, exquisite beadworks, and intricate fabrics for gifts this Christmas or for own daily use and home decor.
“Studio C will be featuring more of its products at additional events during AITC 2021 – KLWKND that will be happening from November 25-28 at Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, and SENSORii from December 1-28, 2021 at RexKL, Kuala Lumpur,” it said.
AITC 2021 is a flagship programme organised by Cendana that aims to reach out, restart, revive and rebuild the arts and culture scene, thus stimulating the economy and ensuring organic growth in the communities, helping, and supporting arts and culture practitioners and workers.
Source: New Straits Times