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The Art of Brunei Darussalam 

Brunei Darussalam is widely known as a symbol of plenty. There is much to be learned of its arts and handicrafts, which are transforming in a way that balances the traditional and the modern.

Brunei Darussalam is blessed with natural resources, with 95 percent of exports being oil and natural gas. As impressive as these figures are, there is much more to know about this small but strong state, which is located in the beautiful natural environment of Borneo.

Traditional handicrafts

Kampong Ayer is a historic settlement area that was formed along the Brunei River in the 16th century and served as Brunei’s principal residential area before cities first emerged in 1906. The floating village, which has a history of approximately 1,000 years and is the largest of its kind in the world, showcases not only the everyday life of Brunei citizens but also the fascinating world of Brunei’s traditional arts through the Brunei Arts & Handicraft Training Centre (founded to support young artisans and preserve traditional handicrafts). The center is housed in a very modern-looking building that offers a sweeping view of Kampong Ayer and features, among many objects made entirely with traditional technologies, kain tenunan (fine-woven cloth that includes gold and silver threads), hand-woven baskets, carved wooden decorations, intricate silver crafts, and even the sword of an ancient Malay warrior. If you wish to improve your knowledge of traditional handicrafts, one good place to start is the Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery, which specializes in in-depth archiving of Brunei’s culture and history.

A mixture of arts and the modern

The young artists of Brunei have consistently made original artistic endeavors in multiple genres. Sengkurong, a vibrant sub-district of Brunei-Muara, offers a close-up experience of artists’ creative activities. Its Creative Space Gallery is an especially scenic place that displays canvases that each feature the works of talented artists and creators. Scenic beauty is also found at Avenue 41, a modern studio where rising artists and musicians gather to give inspiration to others. You can also regularly receive news from The Collective Art and Events, a local creative platform whose mission is similar to that of Avenue 41.