KUCHING, Sept 3 2026: Sarawakian master craftsperson Senia Jugi will travel to Venice this September as the first Malaysian craftsperson to do live demonstration at Homo Faber, the biennial celebration of master craftsmanship staged by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.
Caption: Craftsperson Senia Lugi’s invitation by Homo Faber comes alongside a wider aspiration from Sarawak’s leadership to showcase and advance its traditional crafts and the artisans who keep these living traditions alive
According to a statement by the Sarawak Craft Council (SCC), she will demonstrate the Iban art of basketry at the 2026 edition, titled An Island of Light, at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors in the previous edition in 2024.
“Senia’s invitation by Homo Faber comes alongside a wider aspiration from Sarawak’s leadership to showcase and advance its traditional crafts and the artisans who keep these living traditions alive,” it said.
SCC added that Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas extends ‘Ruai to the World’, which is his vision of bringing the creativity born from Sarawak’s longhouses to the global stage.
It said that his vision is complemented by the state’s continued support for the development of Sarawak’s creative industry and craft communities, creating opportunities for local artisans to strengthen their practice and gain greater exposure beyond Sarawak.
SCC also noted Senia’s participation at Homo Faber is facilitated by the SCC, Leon Chong and Tun Jugah Foundation
“The invitation recognises Senia’s own standing as a master craftsperson as a recipient of the UNESCO Award of Excellence and recognised as a Living Legend by the Sarawak Atelier Society in 2019, she will bring the knowledge and practice of Iban basketry to an international audience,” it said.
The connection with Homo Faber developed through Leon’s involvement in Malaysia’s international craft programmes.
He first featured Senia as a live demonstrator of Iban basketry during the London Craft Week 2023, where the Sarawak Tourism Board, under the leadership of the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Abdul Karim, contributed to the Malaysia Pavilion under the patronage of Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and showcased a number of master craftspeople.
Malaysian craft selection for the 2024 edition of Homo Faber further established the
connection with the Michelangelo Foundation, when Homo Faber Head of Sourcing Andrea Tomasi approached Chong to request Senia’s participation during planning for the 2026 edition.
Following Senia’s live demonstration, the SCC and Leon have also been invited to attend the Homo Faber Summit 2026, which brings together around 150 leaders from the creative industries and beyond to explore models of creation, production and exchange that place human skill at the centre of an inclusive economy.
Senia’s participation at Homo Faber marks an important opportunity to place Sarawak’s living craft traditions on a global platform, while opening the way for greater cultural exchange between Sarawak and craft communities in Europe.
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