The recently concluded ‘Berkumpul Borneo’ event was a vibrant showcase of solidarity, exchange, and grassroots creative leadership.
This three-day gathering was hosted at the Sabah Heritage Village Phase 2 in Kota Kinabalu, organized by Borneo Bengkel and Pangrok Sulap, as part of the Borneo Creative and Culture District 2025 initiative.
Artistic Collaboration Across Borneo
Berkumpul Borneo successfully united art collectives from Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah, and Sarawak, offering a rich program of screenings, exhibitions, workshops, and community sharing sessions.
Participants were presented with eight independent films from various Bornean filmmakers, each revealing the island’s diverse narratives and visual expressions.
Workshops included a woodcut printmaking session led by Pangrok Sulap and a plastic-upcycling workshop using waste materials, facilitated by the initiative Susur Galur from Kalimantan.
Participants and attendees explore the unique merchandise items brought in from all across Borneo especially for the programme.
Fostering Cultural Exchange
A variety of publications, exhibition catalogs, and virtual tours from Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan, and Brunei were also featured, providing insights into the creative activities flourishing throughout Borneo.
Sharing sessions were particularly engaging, as creatives exchanged insights about their practices, challenges, and ambitions, demonstrating the resilience and shared objectives that characterize the region’s grassroots creative ecosystems.
“Celebrating what makes Borneo so special” was a sentiment echoed by Borneo Bengkel co-curator Catriona Maddocks, who expressed her excitement about bringing together such a diverse group of creatives.
“It’s not often that we witness so many remarkable grassroots movements converging, learning from each other, and celebrating Borneo’s uniqueness,” she stated.
(Front, from left) Maddocks in a discussion with Brunei’s renowned artist Osman Mohammad and Adi Helmi.
Pathway for Future Collaborations
Borneo Bengkel aims to unite and celebrate the island’s creative community through interdisciplinary dialogues and cultural exchanges.
The initiative has facilitated various residencies, exhibitions, and workshops across Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan, and Brunei, promoting knowledge exchange regarding indigenous identities and traditional knowledge.
In conjunction with Berkumpul Borneo, the participating collectives engaged in a closed-door session titled ‘What’s Next for Borneo’, which focused on fostering long-term inter-island collaborations among Borneo’s creative communities.
The discussions included reflections on the event and strategies for a joint calendar of activities for 2026-2027.
A woodcut printmaking workshop by Pangrok Sulap is also carried out at the regional gathering.
Empowering Local Artistry
Pangrok Sulap, established in 2010 in Ranau, Sabah, is a diverse collective encompassing artists, curators, and activists among others.
This variety enhances the collective’s dynamism, allowing for the execution of numerous activities and programs aimed at community strengthening through art.
Since its inception, Pangrok Sulap has participated in various art exhibitions both locally and internationally, contributing to social, cultural, economic, and educational development.
“Facilitating this gathering has been meaningful for us,” said Adi Helmi Jaini, a member of Pangrok Sulap. “Seeing so many collectives connect, collaborate, and dream together illustrates the power of Bornean creativity.”
A participant busy at work during the Susur Galur’s plastic-upcycling workshop facilitated by Dwi Sasta.
Engaging Diverse Communities
Representatives from various grassroots organizations participated in Berkumpul Borneo, enhancing the event’s collaborative spirit.
“It’s been wonderful to gather and engage deeply with each other’s creative practices,” reflected Dwi Sasta Kanaya from Susur Galur.
“The exchange of methods and approaches is vital in strengthening Borneo’s creative community.”
New initiatives like Emehdeyeh, founded in 2022, are striving to invigorate artistic practices in West Kalimantan through a lab space for artistic production and collaboration.
Handmade artisanal and recycled merchandise items made by the creative communities in Kalimantan, presented by Emehdeyeh, Art Borneo and Susur Galur at Berkumpul Borneo.
Building a Creative Ecosystem
As the event concluded, participants were optimistic about the future of Borneo’s creative scene, emphasizing the significance of island-wide solidarity.
“Berkumpul Borneo is a unique opportunity to showcase creative talents, uniting artists and collectives from across Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan, and Brunei,” Maddocks stated.
This gathering marked a significant milestone in the region’s contemporary arts landscape, encouraging further exchanges and collaborative projects among the creative community.
Berkumpul Borneo members gather for a group photo.
The post Berkumpul Borneo: Weaving a united creative future across the island appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
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