Brunei Sculpture and Painting
Sculpture
Sculpture in Brunei takes on a more utilitarian role than an aesthetic one. The people of Brunei have a long tradition as excellent craftsmen using bronze and silver to create adornments and functional items such as bowls, tools and the like.
To help preserve this heritage of metalwork, the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Center was established in 1975 to revive and promote the nation’s dying tradition of crafts, including metalwork. The opening of this center is still considered a landmark in the history of development of Brunei’s arts and handicrafts. In addition to training youths in the art of sculpting, the center also helps facilitate the sale of their crafts.
Painting
The best places to see traditional Brunei artwork is in the country’s mosques, which contain colorful collections of paintings as well as intricate mosaics and dramatic designs on the very walls themselves.
When it comes to modern art, there are a number of galleries in the capital that display work by up-and-coming artists. While modern art is not yet popular in Brunei, it is certainly on the increase and colorful Impressionist pieces can be purchased at special galleries and shops in city markets and shopping malls.
