Bonding With Gaya Street

The sculpture is an interpretation of the North Borneo War Memorial was created as the centrepiece for ‘Bonding With Gaya Street’- a community-centred exhibition celebrating social history, collective memory, culture and identity.

The sculpture stands on the original site of the War Memorial on Gaya Street. For decades, it was regarded as a landmark by shop owners and the local community. Now however, it is relocated to the less frequented City Park and has lost its meaning to society.

The sculpture reminded the community to collectively establish an identity for their built heritage and to not forget the people who helped shape the character of Kota Kinabalu. It represents a sense of belonging and identity for the community. The use of natural materials and traditional weaving techniques says that cultural heritage is not always set in stone edifices and that cities are still linked to their rural hinterlands and the skills and knowledge preserved there.

Project Data

Client: Bonding With Gaya Street exhibition

Project: Installation Sculpture

Role: Design & Construction Management

Status: Completed February 2012

Design Team: Rachel Lok, Tan Zhen Ron & Ian Hall