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ReFest 2023: Engage and Empower
Where heritage meets contemporary practice
Rooted in the honouring of matrilineal knowledge and tradition, Inspired by TEKAT, the inaugural project under the Arts Heritage Artists (AHA) programme, celebrates tekat embroidery in the country, spotlighting the rich heritage of this craft in Kuala Kangsar, Perak and the cultural legacy it carries.
At its heart, the Inspired by TEKAT project seeks to honour and sustain the enduring heritage of tekat embroidery, supporting artisans who sustain the craft today while ensuring future generations can inherit and learn from this living tradition.
Inspired by TEKAT also recognises that without thoughtful and respectful contemporary adaptation, the craft risks being only confined to ceremonial contexts.
Central to the Inspired by TEKAT project is the cross-fertilisation of ideas through skills transfer from master tekat artisans to contemporary artists, blending time-honoured techniques with modern artistic expression.
Preserving tekat embroidery not only honours the past but supports the artisans who sustain these practices today, while ensuring future generations can inherit and learn from these living traditions. Just as importantly, heritage must also be thoughtfully reinterpreted and innovated to reflect evolving aesthetics and remain relevant in the present.
Through mentorship, entrepreneurship, and public showcases, Inspired by TEKAT creates space for new interpretations while remaining grounded in tradition, ensuring tekat continues to evolve as a valued and visible art form.
Honouring matrilineal knowledge.
Sustaining traditional craft.
Reimagining tekat for today.
Objectives
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Honour and preserve matrilineal knowledge and tradition, with a focus on centering and elevating tekat embroidery among artisans in Perak.
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Strengthen the visibility and value of tekat as a living heritage and contemporary art form.
Aims
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Foster public awareness and appreciation of tekat embroidery through exhibitions and showcase events, and connecting new audiences to the craft.
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Facilitate skills transfer from master tekat artisans to contemporary artists, encouraging cross-fertilisation of ideas and blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetics.
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Support the sustainability of tekat by increasing exposure to the craft and enhancing tekat artisans’ networking and commercial opportunities.
Expected Impact
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The Inspired by TEKAT project aims to ensure that tekat embroidery remains a vibrant and evolving cultural practice. By honouring and preserving matrilineal knowledge, the programme strengthens the role and recognition of traditional artisans in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, while fostering the next generation of contemporary artists to engage with the craft.
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Through exhibitions, showcase events, and public engagement, Inspired by TEKAT raises awareness and appreciation of tekat among broader audiences, helping people understand its cultural significance and meaning within the community.
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Skills transfer and cross-fertilisation between traditional and contemporary practitioners encourage innovation, while increased exposure of the craft overall creates sustainable economic and professional opportunities for artisans and contemporary artists.
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Ultimately, the programme secures the continuity of tekat embroidery, ensuring its cultural, artistic, and social value is recognised, celebrated, and carried forward for future generations.
the venue | temu house
A private event space created to house art on the walls whilst enabling various community activities to happen in and around the space. Set in a Bungalow house in Petaling Jaya spanning over 11,000sq feet, temu house has hosted numerous events from private dinners, educational workshops, book and product launches, film screenings and even Yoga classes and dog adoption events.
Let's 'bertemu'