Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 30 August, 2022. Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Malaysia, has received a surprise gift of two Sun Bear sculptures, from IM GROUP and Lai Lai Art Gallery/Studio, to raise awareness of the endangered species in time for Malaysia’s 65th independence-year celebrations.
The sculptures, originally part of the ‘Healthy Forest, Happy Wildlife’ art exhibition—organised Lai Lai Art Gallery/Studio in support of BSBCC in Sabah—were amongst the artworks that most impressed the conservation centre’s founder, Dr. Wong Siew Te.
“Although the exhibition featured creations from many artists, who had already donated 50 percent of the proceeds from their sales to the BSBCC, I saved this piece, in particular, as a special thank you and encouragement to Dr. Wong for his cause,” explained Malaysian-born artist Alice Chang Guerra, owner of Lai Lai Art Gallery/Studio and Chair of IM GROUP Foundation.
‘Bacio’—meaning kiss in Italian—as the pair of flower-patterned mosaic sculptures are known, are inspired by a parent bear giving her cub a reassuring kiss of encouragement as it struggles for independence, “…I felt these sculptures were evocative; both of the conservation centre that rehabilitates rescued sun bears, as to the strength that our own people have given to our nation, especially since the covid challenges, to help Malaysia stand back up on its feet again, for this the 65th anniversary of our own independence,” continues Chang Guerra.
Alice Chang Guerra (extreme left) with Dr. Wong Siew Te (enter) and the artists at Lai Lai Art Gallery / Studio
About Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)
Founded in Sabah, Malaysia in 2008, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is the only sun bear conservation centre in the world. It has two aims: 1. to provide care and rehabilitation to rescued sun bears; and 2. to increase awareness of sun bears internationally. These aims work to ensure the absolute right of every bear to live in the forest. The centre currently has 43 rescued ex-captive sun bears and 1 captive born residing at the BSBCC. The facility includes large forest enclosures to provide a natural environment suited to the needs and welfare of the sun bears and to facilitate their rehabilitation back into the wild. www.bsbcc.org.my
About Lai Lai Art Gallery / Studio
Founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1999, Lai Lai Art is the gallery / studio of Malaysian-born artist Alice Chang Guerra, better known in art circles as "Lai Lai". Here she creates her artworks and often holds exhibitions in aid of charity organisations, of which she is an active promoter, especially with concerns to children. Ms Chang Guerra is also the Chair of IM GROUP Foundation.
About IM GROUP
Formed in Italy in 2021, IM GROUP (formerly Inkmaker Group) is the holding brand of: Inkmaker, Rexson, Vale-tech, Swesa, Teko, Tecnopails and IEC+. With its combined strength the group offers total process-engineering solutions within the industries of paint, coatings, ink, speciality-chemicals, adhesives, corrugated packaging, pharma, food, cosmetic, textiles and more. IM GROUP, with its brands, operates with its own staff and offices in over 15 countries over 5 continents.
About Inkmaker
Formed in Italy in 2021, IM GROUP (formerly Inkmaker Group) is the holding brand of: Inkmaker, Rexson, Vale-tech, Swesa, Teko, Tecnopails and IEC+. With its combined strength the group offers total process-engineering solutions within the industries of paint, coatings, ink, speciality-chemicals, adhesives, corrugated packaging, pharma, food, cosmetic, textiles and more. IM GROUP, with its brands, operates with its own staff and offices in over 15 countries over 5 continents.
www.inkmaker.com
About Rexson Systems
Established in 1984, Rexson is a privately-owned British brand of automated dispensers that are widely used in the paint and coatings and liquid ink industry, as well as the industries of cosmetics, food, oils, pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals. Materials can be liquid, gels or paste, hazardous, caustic, flammable or have thixotropic rheology. Its headquarters are in Kettering, Northamptonshire in England and it has a global network of regional and international clients and support partners. rexson.co.uk
About Vale-Tech
Established in 1985 Vale-Tech, previously a subsidiary of Rexson, is a British brand of ink dispensing systems for the worldwide printing industry. Vale-Tech employs a team of engineers dedicated to the design and build of innovative products incorporating the latest technology focused on narrow web and paste-ink dispensing systems. Its headquarters are in Newmarket, Suffolk in England and it has a global network of regional and international clients and support partners.
About SWESA
Formed in Germany in 1994, Swesa, is a privately owned and independent German manufacturer specialised in customised automated dosing-systems for the food packaging, office furniture, tissues and heavy-duty corrugated packaging industries. Swesa machines are customisable and explosion risk (ATEX) certified. Its headquarters are in Eltville am Rhein, Germany and it has a global network of regional and international clients and support partners. swesa.de
About Tecnopails
Established as LAVELLI e C in 1974, Tecnopails, is a privately owned and independent Italian manufacturer of customised modular automated filling, sealing, labelling and palletising machinery—for pails, buckets and cans—that is widely used in the ink, paint and coatings industry, as well as the industries of food and speciality chemicals. Tecnopails’ machines are explosion risk (ATEX) certified. Its headquarters are in Piacenza in Emilia Romagna, Northern Italy and it has a global network of regional and international clients and support partners. tecnopails.it
About IEC+
Established in 2013, IEC+ srl is a mechanical engineering company, specialised in the design and manufacturing of dispersing, grinding and mixing equipment as well as complete engineering studies and turnkey solutions. Its headquarters are located in Travesetolo, in Parma, Northern Italy with a global network of regional and international clients and support partners. iecplus.com
