In 1988 the Government of Brunei invited Katherina to create a major exhibition. This after she had staged her first exhibition earlier in the year in Sabah, and her husband had staged an historical exhibition at Pusat Sejarah Brunei (the Brunei History Centre). Crates were packed with her sculptures and flown via New York to Bandar Seri Begawan.

Fortunately, to give an indication of what is involved in creating such an exhibition, a number of photographs were made of the works being packed in Montreal and unpacked in Brunei, and again later during subsequent events.

2000 catalogues were printed through the gracious participation of the Brunei Government Printers, while Royal Brunei Airlines, together with Brunei’s government, acted as official sponsors.

Katherina was the first foreign artist ever to be invited to exhibit at Brunei’s National Museum.

As it happens, Katherina and her husband travelled in the region during the exhibition. As they had expected to receive a stack of catalogues on their return to Brunei, they only took one for use during these travels, only to find on their return to Brunei that all the catalogues had vanished. After considerable searching they were only able to salvage four, principally from the government printer, who scrounged them up literally from the floor under machines!

The event was opened by Pehin Data Haji Awang Hussein, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. Originally it was planned to be opened and officated by the second Queen, but this ultimately was not to be — though a communications snafu, the invitation had not been received by her.

During the exhibition, Katherina gave workshops attended by royal family members and other interested parties. And a bright red banner (seen below) was created for the event!

On crating, the materials were stored in Brunei until shipment to Kuala Lumpur for the exhibition there, nearly one year later.

Katherina would again like to thank Royal Brunei Airlines and the Government of Brunei for their sponsorship of the exhibition.

Type: Solo