As one of the major supporter and advocate of the Malaysian art industry, it has been reported that BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia) has to date, collected around 2,000 pieces of artwork in different media and styles. This include the likes of paintings, prints, collages, sculptures and ceramic too.
According to Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the government of BNM, the current administration is pleased to continue the practice put in place by the late Tun Ismail Ali in the effort to preserve the Malaysian art industry. One thing about the collection of BNM is that none of the artworks would ever be for sale and it would be in its permanent collection for life.
In fact, BNM is not only actively collecting art works which are remarkable but has also been actively acquiring them through auctions and other art related events to find works that are no longer available in the current market. BNM was recently seen at the latest Henry Butcher Art Auction although there was no confirmation if any purchase was made.
This means that one would surely find the names of Malaysian great artists like Yong Mun Sen, Dato’ Syed Ahmad Jamal, the late Dato’ Ibrahim Hussein, Latiff Mohidin, Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, Datuk Mohd Hoessein Enas and many others within its archive while the likes of Chang Fee Ming, Ismail Zain, Tew Nai Tong, Ahmad Zakii Anwar and many more would also be there, making it one of the most exciting and perhaps complete collection of Malaysian art anywhere in the world.
