Kabo Necklace Reimagined: A Bornean Beading Workshop

Workshop description:

This workshop offers a high-vibe, low-pressure creative experience centred around re-imagining the traditional Kabo’ necklace through contemporary beading. Operating on the principle that there is no "right" or "wrong" in creativity, participants are encouraged to explore rhythm, repetition and colour while developing their own artistic expression. Using vibrant, multi-coloured beads and sustainable materials, participants will create a Kabo’ necklace by beading the pendant, buah kabo, before experimenting with different shapes and colour sequences to complete their own unique piece. Along the way, participants will take time to understand the significance of the necklace and the importance of Bornean cultural traditions, while celebrating art as a vital and accessible part of life. This workshop also promotes creative resourcefulness through the use of reclaimed and sustainable materials, providing a safe, judgment-free space where curiosity, self-expression and the creative process are valued above the final product.What you’ll get from this workshop:

Speciality sustainable materials:

All materials required for the workshop are provided, using reclaimed, upcycled and sustainable materials throughout the session.

Take-home artistic piece:

Each participant completes and brings home their own whimsical Kabo’ necklace, while gaining a deeper appreciation for Bornean culture, creative resourcefulness and self-expression.

About the instructor:

Loretta Livan Milang is a multidisciplinary artist and Creative Director of Victoria's Enterprise. Being of Kayan descent, she specialises in handicrafts, oral practices and traditional dances, and expresses her work through illustrations, crafts, photography, places and people. At 17 years old, she illustrated books with The Tuyang Initiative and became one of the authors of her high school's poetry book. Since 2020, she has facilitated numerous handicrafts and cultural workshops alongside her mother, whose years in the industry have allowed her to dive deeper into their ancestral heritage. Her artistic contributions have been featured across Bintulu, Miri, Brunei and West Malaysia. Through her work, she creates a safe, low-pressure space where the artistic process is valued above the final product.