KOTA KINABALU: Gentle, adorable, docile, vulnerable and threatened – this is the thrust of the message about sun bears and their conservation that 10 local artists aimed to convey through their works at a recent exhibition.

       Held at the Lai Lai Art Studio in Ampang, Selangor from May 19 to June 11, the “Happy Forest, Happy Wildlife” exhibition featured 28 pieces expressing the importance of the world's smallest bear species.

       Dr Wong Siew Te, founder and chief executive officer of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), believes it worked, with the exhibition achieving its goal of touching people’s hearts through art.

       “We (want) to use art to connect with and reach out to the public to raise awareness of sun bear conservation. They are large, charismatic mammals that live in our forests.

       “We should not forget them. They play important roles in the forest ecosystem and we need them so that the forest is healthy and the wildlife is happy,” said Wong.

       ALSO READ: Sabah sun bear centre goes virtual to stay afloat

       "Many sun bear supporters came (to the exhibition), and art lovers also learned about the animals through it.

       “Art connects people. People can learn about sun bears via the messages expressed by the artists in their works."

       Wong, fondly known in conservation circles as “Papa Bear”, said awareness of sun bears and their plight was still low among the general public.

       Before he started his research 24 years ago, Wong said, very little was known about sun bears by the public and even scientists.

       “The situation is slightly better now. They are more well known now thanks to the conservation work and awareness-raising efforts by BSBCC over the past 14 years,” he said.

       The centre in Sandakan is the world’s only sanctuary devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of sun bears.

       Artists such as Alice Chang Oi Lai, Hidawati Amin, Low Khay Hooi, Nasrin Nadhirah, Ng Yan Lih, Ng Yi Shen, Sanae Yamada, Suzi Chua, Wong Siew Lee and Zurin Shaari contributed their pieces to the exhibition.

       Eight pieces were sold during the 24-day exhibition, with half the proceeds to be donated to the BSBCC for conservation of Bornean sun bears in Sabah.

       The event was also attended by representatives of BSBCC's two major funders, Yayasan Sime Darby and Yayasan Hasanah.

       ALSO READ: Brighter days ahead for Wawa the sun bear

       Chang, who is also owner of the Lai Lai Art Studio, said the artists came up with the idea for the exhibition after feeling the need to put forward messages on conservation through art.

       This is because continuous deforestation for economic importance was affecting wildlife habitats and leading to climate change, she added.

       “Each art piece intends to encourage appreciation of wildlife, their habitat and nature as a whole,” she said.

       Wong urged those interested to buy the remaining pieces from the exhibition to contact him directly at 016-555 1256 as it would help the centre's efforts.

       He added that BSBCC would invite local artists to the centre to come up with more artworks inspired by a personal experience with the sun bears.

       BSBCC is also hosting a virtual exhibition of works by his sister Wong Siew Lee at https://www.bsbcc.org.my/virtual-sun-bear-art-gallery-trails.html.