In the heart of Malaysia's pulsating cultural narrative sit our time-honoured textile traditions. Like a tempest of colours and patterns, our textiles tell the tales of a vibrant past, preserved for the future. The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2024 is launching once more to shine a light on traditions ensnared in threads - the distinct legacy that is a testament to Malaysian artistic fervour.

Join us as we take a journey into the rich and colourful fabric of Malaysia's traditional textile industry, expertly woven into the second edition of the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards. Recognising the undimmed brilliance of our country's innovation in textile craftsmanship, this coveted awards event threads together tradition and imagination, echoing Malaysia's lush cultural spectrum.

Read also: Your Guide to Visiting the Islamic Arts Museum of Malaysia

Table of Content

1. Traditional Textiles in Malaysia
2. Opportunities for Local Artisans
3. How to Participate in the Awards
4. Award Categories
5. Cash Prizes
6. Dato' Shahira Ahmed Bazari
7. Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (HGTA) 2023
8. Textile Exhibition at Pavilion Bukit Jalil
9. About the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards
10. About Yayasan Hasanah

Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2024: A Showcase of Traditional Textiles in Malaysia

Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2024: Honouring Traditional Textiles in Malaysia

Traditional Textiles in Malaysia

The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards artfully stitches together the past and the future, urging artisans to sustain cultural legacies through textiles. As it embarks on another year of celebration and innovation, the HGTA remains a testament to Malaysia’s enduring cultural tapestry, inspiring a new generation of weavers and world recognition for Malaysian textiles. With eyes on the grand ceremony in September, the anticipation among artisans and enthusiasts weaves a narrative of pride and excitement, bearing the hallmark of Malaysia's textile grandeur.

This prestigious event returns stronger, brighter as it spins together the best of Malaysian textile arts. Artisans who have incorporated tradition into their creative sphere, pushing bounds of civilisation's fabric, will be celebrated.

Each category, including Supplementary Weft, Ikat, Drawing and Stamping, Embroidery and Embellishment, Plaiting, and Beadwork, mirrors the unique aspects of our heritage and forms the baseline of fleeting craftsmanship to be judged upon.

The official launch of the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards at Pavilion Bukit Jalil

Furthermore, the evaluation process scrutinises technique, workmanship, cultural representation, marketability, functionality, and innovation in textile design. Jacqueline Fong, co-producer of the awards, cherishes this approach, believing its comprehensiveness sparks artistic brilliance further. Shortlisted entries vie for two major categories, Best Traditional and Best Innovative, honouring both preserved techniques and modern spins on traditional forms.

From March to August, coinciding with the HGTA awards cycle, public admirers will be privy to the exclusive showcase of last year's victorious artworks at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. This grand exhibition, generously supported by Pavilion Bukit Jalil, will immerse audience in the exquisite play between linen, dye, and human imagination, portrayed through the 2023 winning entries.

Opportunities for Local Artisans

Beyond being a platform for recognition and accolades, the HGTA acts as a catalyst for collaboration between artisans and industry players. Initiatives from the awards have spurred mutually beneficial partnerships and fostered a deeper appreciation for our country's diverse textile wealth in both local and international locales. Winners are further empowered through a rich textile fellowship programme to enhance their forward perspectives in product innovation.

From left to right: Shah Nor Ramin Mohammad, Jacqueling Fong, Dato' Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Edric Ong, and Datin Rosemarie Wong

How to Participate in the Awards

As the beating drums of another year of textile mastery resonate through Malaysia's art circuits, the call for entries is now open till August 20, 2024. With an illustrious judging panel and substantial cash prizes, the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards affirmatively encourage artisans to preserve our culture-enriched textiles for the promising future. Stand a chance to bask in the golden glow of HGTA 2024 and etch your name in Malaysia's textile heritage.

Key aspects judges will consider:

1. Technique and workmanship quality
2. Cultural and aesthetic representation
3. Marketability and functionality
4. Innovation in design and production

Award Categories

Dive into a world where fabric tells stories of culture, craftsmanship, and creativity. The textile competition unfolds in six riveting categories: Supplementary Weft, Ikat, Drawing and Stamping, Embroidery and Embellishment, Plaiting, and Beadwork. Each of these arenas steps into the spotlight, awaiting to reveal the preservation of traditions and the pulse of innovation through their threads.

The Best Traditional Award raises a glass to the artisans who weave, stamp, emboss, and embellish fabrics just as their ancestors did, capturing the essence of heritage and the unaltered techniques handed down through generations. On the flip side, the Best Innovative Award looks to the future, celebrating those daring enough to experiment. This accolade is a nod to the mavericks who stay true to the roots of handcrafted textiles while pushing boundaries in design, use, or production methods.

Each piece submitted is a testament to the everlasting dialog between tradition and innovation, showcasing the boundless possibilities when creativity meets cultural heritage.

Jacqueline Fong, a distinguished name in the textile industry who is the founder of Tanoti and co-producer of HGTA, asserts that these categories are reflective of the Malaysian heritage and the metrics of mastery that will be judged include excellence, authenticity, marketability, and innovation.

Winning in two main categories, Best Traditional and Best Innovative, the awards pay homage to age-old techniques and the reinvention of textiles for contemporary uses.

Category	Techniques
Supplementary weft	Songket, dastar, sungkit, anyam
Ikat	Pua kumbu, limar
Drawing and stamping	Batik tulis, batik cap, telepuk
Embroidery and embellishment	Tekat, keringkam, kelingkan, sulam, kerawang
Plaiting	Basketry techniques in various fibres
Beadwork	Loom beading, stringing

Cash Prizes

Not just a celebration, but a challenge, rewarding the crème de la crème with two distinguished accolades per category: Best Traditional and Best Innovative, each carrying a substantial bounty of RM25,000. But the riches don't stop there, as each category also bestows a Special Mention, reserved for pieces that shine with commendable effort, graced with a RM10,000 prize.

Cash Prizes for the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards

Dato' Shahira Ahmed Bazari

In the words of Dato' Shahira Ahmed Bazari, the guiding light behind Yayasan Hasanah, the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards have emerged as a beacon of innovation and progress within the heritage textile arena.

Since their inception in 2023, these accolades have not only celebrated the masterful work of contemporary textile craftspeople but have also set in motion a dynamic wave of activity across the sector. With a mission to elevate the stature and commercial appeal of these artisans' creations, the awards serve as a glittering stage where tradition meets marketability.

Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari, the Trustee and Managing Director at Yayasan Hasanah Malaysia.

This initiative has successfully woven a network of connections between the craftsmen and the industry's key figures, unlocking new avenues for economic growth and providing artisans with valuable opportunities to thrive. Let's explore the rich cultural fabric this initiative continues to enrich, inviting us all to appreciate the blend of heritage and innovation that shapes our world.

Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (HGTA) 2023

In its sparkling debut this 2023, the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (HGTA) captivated imaginations far and wide, drawing a staggering 168 entries from the skilled hands of Malaysian textile artisans, young and old, hailing from the bustling cities to the serene countryside. They brought forth a stunning array of traditional crafts - Batik painting that whispers tales of ancient rituals, the gleaming Telepuk resonating with the glamour of yesteryears, to the detailed patterns of Songket that tell of royal legacies.

Amidst this celebration of cultural artistry, 18 talents were honoured, culminating in the prestigious Hasanah Gold Award, the "Patron of Malaysia’s Heritage Textiles". This prized accolade was bestowed by none other than Her Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, casting a royal glow on the event.

It was a moment where tradition met recognition, making the HGTA 2023 a chapter for the history books and a beacon for future aspirants.

Read more: Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2023

Textile Exhibition at Pavilion Bukit Jalil

Go on a cultural journey like no other and immerse yourself in the rich world of Malaysian textiles at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. From the 4th of March until the end of August 2023, the enchanting Pink Zone on the 3rd Floor becomes a treasure chest, unveiling the exquisite winners of the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2023.

This exclusive exhibition is your passport to a realm where meticulous craftsmanship and vibrant heritage come alive. Admission won't cost you a penny, inviting you to delve deep into the heart of Malaysia's textile brilliance, part of a nationwide celebration of traditional artistry. Be dazzled, be inspired, and let each piece tell you its story—a tale of dedication, beauty, and a proud nation's spirit.

About the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards

In the vibrant heart of Malaysia, the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards emerge as a brilliant initiative by Yayasan Hasanah, capturing the essence of the nation's profoundly rich textile culture. It's not just about recognizing unparalleled craftsmanship and ingenuity in the textile domain; it's a vibrant crusade to stir broader recognition and cherish the myriad hues of Malaysia's cultural heritage.

Think of it—a splendid chance to throw the spotlight on Malaysia's ancestral textiles, all the while igniting a flame of innovation and paving the way for sustainable growth in this crucial industry. The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards isn't merely an event; it's a celebration, a crossroads where tradition meets tomorrow.

About Yayasan Hasanah

Launched as Khazanah Nasional Berhad's stand-alone impact-driven foundation, Yayasan Hasanah champions the continuation of a near-decade of Corporate Responsibility initiatives spearheaded by its parent sovereign wealth fund. With a mission far transcending mere financial aid, Yayasan Hasanah orchestrates a transformative ecosystem across Malaysia in key sectors: Education, Community Development, Environment, Arts and Public Spaces, and Knowledge.

Through fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and advocating for groundbreaking initiatives in these areas, Yayasan Hasanah aspires to catalyse meaningful social and community advancements under its banner of "Advancing Malaysia." For more insights, their endeavours and impact journey are detailed on www.yayasanhasanah.org.

The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards is a testament to Malaysia's enduring and thriving textile heritage. It is a platform where the past and the future harmoniously intertwine, creating a vibrant dialogue of tradition and innovation. As we usher in another year of these celebrations, anticipation weaves an intricate narrative of excitement and admiration, bearing the legacy of Malaysia's textile grandeur.

One thing is clear - Malaysian textiles are more than just craftworks; they are the colourful narratives of our cultural identity, spun through threads of history, garnished with a promise of a more inclusive and vibrant future.

Find out more about the esteemed Hasanah Gold Threads Awards here.