YAYASAN Hasanah recently announced the inaugural Hasanah Gold Threads Awards, which celebrates Malaysian textile excellence. The awards bring together skill and mastery of the many heritage textile art forms practised in the country.
Hasanah is a foundation under Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards is calling for entries with a combined prize pot of RM 360,000, with specialised categories now open.
The awards aim to catalyse efforts to sustain, regenerate and allow heritage textiles in Malaysia to flourish.
These awards will be held to the highest standards of craftsmanship. It will also enhance their prestige and increase appreciation among the wider community.
This further paves the way toward a sustainable platform for the textile producer to share their inspiring pieces.
The Awards will empower local producers to showcase their talent and gain wider recognition, as well as motivate them to refine their skills, take on new challenges, and strive for excellence in their work.
"Yayasan Hasanah is excited to launch The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards to support our mission to preserve, celebrate and promote our Intangible Cultural Heritage of traditional textiles," said Datuk Shahira Ahmed Bazari, trustee and managing director of Yayasan Hasanah.
"Prize Philanthropy has a great role to play in advancing innovation, increasing demand and standards."
She added it also enables the preservation, knowledge, and sustainability of traditional textiles.
"As this is our inaugural initiative, I look forward to the support from all stakeholders. With the support from artisans, public and private agencies, and craftspeople, the awards will mark an exciting milestone for the heritage textile industry in Malaysia,” said Shahira.
She thanked partner and awards producer, Jacqueline Fong and Tanoti Sdn Bhd for their ideas and dedicated service.
Fong, who is co-founder of Tanoti, said: "Our artisans and craftspeople are underfunded and I am excited to work with Yayasan Hasanah to produce The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards.
"There is an abundance of local artisans in Malaysia alone, each a master at their own craft.
"Through these awards, we hope to provide a platform for our producers to showcase their talent and inspire a new generation of artisans and other players in this highly niche ecosystem."
The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards will draw submissions from across the country and is open to Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. Companies and organisations that are registered in Malaysia are also eligible.
Participants may enter their best textile pieces in any of the Awards’ six categories – Supplementary Weft, Ikat, Drawing and Stamping, Embroidery and Embellishment, Plaiting, and Beadwork.
Each category carries two awards – Best Traditional and Best Innovative, with a cash prize of RM25,000 each.
The Best Traditional Award is for textiles produced in their traditional form and for their traditional use and via traditional production techniques.
Whereas the Best Innovative Award is for textiles produced demonstrating innovation in design, use and/or production, but still produced by hand and containing traditional elements of the production process.
There will also be a Special Mention Award in each category, with a cash prize of RM10,000. The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards will judge submissions based on their excellence, authenticity, marketability, and innovation.
The judging panel will comprise leading experts and veterans in the heritage textile industry.
The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards will receive submissions until August 20. Winners will be announced on September 14.
For details on how to submit an entry or collaborate as a sponsor, visit the website here or follow social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. – The Vibes, May 12, 2023
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