From 22 to 31 May, I had the privilege of being back on the ground in Sarawak, Malaysia; this time as part of our ongoing FAiR (Frugal Artist-in-Residence) project, which is a UKRI AHRC-funded collaboration between UNIMAS and Coventry University.
This visit was focused specifically on a sculptural installation co-designed by UK artist James Robinson (our UK artist-in-residence) and Malaysian artist-in-residence Angelina Bong, and brought to life with the help of visual artist and educator Noorhaslina Senin, interns, students, and volunteers at Kampung Pasir Pandak, a coastal village with deep roots and vibrant energy. Seeing the installation take shape using repurposed plastic waste collected from the community was powerful, a real embodiment of our ethos of frugal and playful design. It was also a reminder that environmental engagement doesn’t need to be high-tech or expensive; it just needs to be meaningful and collaborative.
Being there, watching ideas take shape through conversation, improvisation, and shared effort, made it all real. For me, it reaffirmed what we’ve always believed through our GameChangers work, that creativity grounded in empathy, playfulness, and local context can unlock transformative change.
Although our visit centred on the sculpture, the FAiR programme is much broader in scope. Co-Led by myself and my colleague Dr. Jacey-Lynn Minoi and the CreativeCulture group at UNIMAS, FAiR includes several other community-led initiatives:
- Cyanotype workshops with local women led by Noorhaslina Senin, combining art, science, and sustainability. Noorhaslina is also active in community-engaged practice- check out her FACA SULAM initiative;
- Leaf printing sessions with children, youth , and the women group facilitated by Angelina Bong, sparking environmental awareness through play;
- A large-scale community mural, also led by Angelina, celebrating the village’s unique relationship with the sea, mangroves, and traditional livelihoods.
It’s been incredible to witness how each of these activities, though simple in form, carry complex layers of meaning, purpose, and potential impact. They represent frugal, artistic approaches that are deeply participatory, emotionally resonant, and grounded in place.
We’re proud that three of us from the GameChangers Ludic Design group (myself, Petros Lameras, and Alex Masters) are contributing to this programme alongside the talented team at UNIMAS. Thanks for the valuable support and collaboration from local NGOs, including JKKK Kampung Pasir Pandak, KRT Pasir Pandak, and KJM Salak, the Malaysian Society of Marine Science (MSMS), and especially the village head, for his support throughout, all of whom have played a key role in enabling community-based initiatives and environmental conservation efforts. And thanks to Aazani and Moritz for being the much-needed conduit between us and the community! FAiR is more than a research project. It’s a living, breathing collaboration with community at its heart.
And this was only one chapter. Looking forward to what we co-create next.
Sylvester Arnab 