our projects

Memberikan Pertama Project

The Memberikan Pertama Project (Malay: give first) was founded in 2013 as way to connect artists with the communities they are working in. The project provides an opportunity for artists to investigate the issues at the heart of these communities, allowing them to strengthen local culture and promote its uniqueness to an international audience.

In 2014 Baru Art is proud to be working with dedicated Sydney-based artist, Blake Paul Kendall to assist in his project to produce the first educational resource written in Penan. As part of his ongoing research into the cultural preservation of indigenous groups, Blake has had the honour of spending time with the Penan community in the jungles of Borneo. Like his work with Mayan communities in Guatemala, his recent focus involves the study of Penan language, sadly at risk of being wiped out. 

With a world language ‘dying’ every two weeks, his work is urgently vital. Click here to view Blake's campaign launch video.

This month we launched Blake Paul Kendall's crowd funding campaign for the Penan Children's Book and kick started the fundraising by hosting a silent art auction at The Corner Cooperative, Chippendale. Twenty local and international artists donated work and the sales raised over $3,500.

Blake is currently exhibiting in the Social Laneway, Redfern. The campaign plans to raise $19, 500 to produce and deliver by hand the first educational resource on Penan language. Upo Uleu (Our Sago) is a children's book whose narrative Blake developed while working with Penan elders in Borneo last year. The book will be illustrated with prints from a series that he painted while staying with them. 

By producing this book, Blake will be able to help build awareness about the challenges the Penan face. He plans to deliver the book himself to every Penan household to cement the ties he formed back in 2013.

The funding campaign is being hosted by Pozible and with only two weeks left, we still have a more than $10, 000 to raise. Become a part of the story and show your support today.