THE skills and craftsmanship of the disabled in Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro) were shown to fine advantage at the recent Jaro Heritage Bazaar.
The bazaar was graced with the presence of guest-of-honour, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah.
Visitors thronged the bazaar to admire and buy quality Malaysian products.
The bazaar was held to promote Johor heritage in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, while the funds raised would go towards paying Jaro staff salaries and the employment of more workers.
Jaro was founded by Dr Beryl Wilberforce-Smith in 1952 as a rehabilitation centre in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, then known as Johor Baru General Hospital, to teach cured tuberculosis patients handicraft skills that would enable them to earn a living.
Jaro was originally known as Johor Anti-TB Rehabilitation Organisation, which ran sheltered workshops for basketry, bookbinding and tailoring.
As the number of TB patients gradually reduced, Jaro, under the leadership of then chairman Datuk Dr Lim Kee Jin, turned to helping the physically-challenged and other disabled persons in rehabilitation and skills training.
“We appreciate the support and contributions from Friends of Jaro to make this bazaar a success,” said Jaro chairman Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong in his opening speech.
He said their purchase of Jaro products made of rattan and batik would help support the aesthetics and traditions of local cultures and native crafts, and enhance the dignity and independence of the disabled.
Shopping in Jaro also helps to sustain the sheltered workshops for disabled artisans and preserve the local community’s ecology and heritage, he added.
Raja Zarith Sofiah, while on a tour of the bazaar escorted by Jaro committee members, Datin Patricia Lim Pui Huen, Sumedha Sehgal and general manager Annie Thomas, paused to admire the intricately-woven products made by those in the basketry department.
Hearing-impaired staff in the tailoring department, Noraiza Mokhtar, 37, Nor’aini Goh Abdullah, 54, and Rafizah Abdul Rahni, 33, were thrilled to respond to Raja Zarith Sofiah’s queries about their batik handicraft through sign language interpreter, Rafe’ah Mohd Taib.
Bookbinding department head Letchimy Suprayam was pleased to see Raja Zarith Sofiah take an interest in the range of books beautifully-bound in batik and songket.
In addition to Jaro’s heritage products, renowned Malaysian brands such as Pink Jambu also presented a range of attractive products featuring abstract motifs, floral and geometric patterns designed on various fabrics including silk and cotton.
While founder and design director Tengku Marina Ibrahim works with fashion houses and designers to produce Pink Jambu’s range of couture and ready-to-wear, she also supports special artists like Fitri Raslan, 18, and Maria Soo Suet Ching, 25, whose designs are used on scarves, cushions, table runners and other items.
Visitors had a glimpse of Tanoti shawls and scarves and Long Lamai basketry presented by Dr June Ngo Siok Kheng, deputy dean of the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts in Universiti Malaya Sarawak.
Ngo works with Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah, the foundation that aims to improve the lives of artisans like songket weavers and textile designers toward the sustainability of heritage crafts.
YTNZ markets its products under the Tanoti brand while its production centres in Kuching and Terengganu employ skilled young women weavers on a full-time basis.
Johor Sketchers founder Taib Aur demonstrated to visitors how the group drew from observation.
Johor Sketchers, formed last June, has initiated numerous trips to sketch real-life scenes in various locations in Johor.
Yap Han Zhen, a 15-year old autistic savant, has the amazing ability to draw images starting from top to bottom, or from bottom to top.
Yap started sketching as a hobby in 2009 and published a book in 2012 with 30 beautiful sketches of the creatures in the mangrove forests entitled River Biodiversity. His recent projects include a series of sketches of old buildings in the city for the new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in JB.
He was among the winners of the Asia Para Art 2013 competition.
His art was displayed for sale at the bazaar.
Grace Lim’s style, characterised by simplicity in subject matter and technique, is a form of naive art that attracted the attention of Raja Zarith Sofiah.
Lim’s oil-on-canvas pieces with rural scenes are inspired by her kampung experiences. Her original paintings and reproduction in museum quality Limited Prints were for sale at the bazaar.
Her paintings are on permanent display at art52 Gallery in Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk.
Also present at the bazaar were Tunku Shahariah Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman; Gusti Puteri Retno Astrini; wife of Menteri Besar Datin Seri Rosni Omar; and wife of state secretary Zawiah Mohamed.
Located in Jalan Sungai Chat, next to Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, Jaro is open from Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm.
Volunteers and donations are welcome. For details, call 07–224 5632.