Founded by Stephen Ronee Lau in 2008, this project was initially doubted & scorned by skeptics. The participation fee of RM50 was deemed too much by cynics who cast off this initiative as a scam. Stephen is the brainchild behind the branding of Aquaria KLCC’s programs and their first coffee-table book. His concepts in events and mind-map training have earned him a reputation of being a trendsetter. When he approached me to ask for my participation in submitting 20 underwater images for the digital album DVD, I didn’t hesitate. Though the deadline had been extended several times due to insufficient number of images, that didn’t deter Stephen and the rest of us in believing what he could do with it.
On 6 March 2010, this event was launched at the National Art Gallery by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resource & Environment with an exhibit ion of 42 participants’ work, one of each selected from the portfolio submitted for this program. We were given a certificate of appreciation for our work as each one was called to the stage to receive it from the Minister. Even the participants themselves couldn’t believe that such opportunities existed in a simple submission of their photos. It was to be displayed for a month but the Minister announced that it be made a permanent exhibit as Stephen presented all 42 pieces, bound & framed, to the National Art Gallery. I was told a month prior to this launch to be present and being the first of its kind in Malaysia and for the dive industry, I told Stephen that I would not miss it for the world. I even told a dear friend who is no longer here, that it would mean so much to me if I could share the moment but who am I to warrant the time of bigwigs with their heroic deeds? I am just a small fry in the ocean looking out for other small fries not wanting to be eaten before our time.
Well, my little moment of recognition came with the presence of my dear friends who made it in their finest attire to grace and celebrate the event with me since my family could not. Thank you, Heanna, Er-Win, Jia Li, Wong & friend. Your support had been tremendously uplifting.
Picture courtesy of Bahaman Hashim.
I can finally say I’m exhibited in the National Art Gallery!!! 😀
[…] on stage to receive my recognition certificate from the Deputy Minister for my contribution to the Malaysia in 24Hrs – Underwater Sceneries at the National Art Gallery. I started contributing to Asian Diver magazine too & some of the […]
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