Visual artist Ahmad Fuad Osman has requested that the National Art Gallery (NAG) close an exhibition of his work, after four pieces were removed.
According to MalaysiaKini, two of the artworks that were removed by NAG depicted someone who shares a likeness of a political party leader.
Photo: The Star
Fuad posted an open letter on his Instagram page that he was officially informed by NAG on the 21st of January of the matter, saying that there have been complaints from a board member.
“On Feb 7, I wrote to Balai stating that I found this act of censorship profoundly troubling and unacceptable. It is arbitrary, unjustified and an abuse of institutional power. I asked them to fully explain their reasoning, requesting answers to my questions about their process and reasoning. Their decision and the explanation provided lack transparency and accountability,” he wrote in the letter.
“I request that Balai close the entire exhibition immediately, rather than let it remain open in its compromised state.”
It has been a lot of ups and downs for me for these past few weeks re my show at Balai Seni Negara, Kuala Lumpur. I was really hoping that this thing never happen since everything went very well, from the first day of meeting and discussions until the show opens. Undeniably Balai had given me a very good support n opportunity for the show in which i thank them again and again. Unfortunately, something unexpected happened and I have no other way than writing this open letter below : 1. On 4 February 2020, Balai Seni Negara (henceforth Balai) removed four works from my mid-career survey exhibition, At The End Of The Day Even Art Is Not Important (1990-2019). 2. The exhibition has been open to the public since 28 October 2019. It has received enthusiastic reviews, and I have received many positive comments from peers in the art community, as well as on social media. The show was originally scheduled to close on 31 January 2020. It was upon Balai’s request that the show has been extended until 29 February 2020. 3. Balai sent me a letter on 21 January 2020 officially informing me that they wanted to remove the four works because a Board Member complained about them. Prior to the letter, they had contacted me on the phone through whatsApps on 24 December 2019 about their intentions. On 23 January, Balai had temporarily removed two of the four works from display, before returning them to the exhibition on 24 January. 4. On 7 February, I wrote to Balai stating that I found this act of censorship profoundly troubling and unacceptable. It is arbitrary, unjustified and an abuse of institutional power. I asked them to fully explain their reasoning, requesting answers to my questions about their process and reasoning. Their decision, and the explanation provided lacks transparency and accountability. 5. I also requested that Balai close the entire exhibition immediately, rather than let it remain open in its compromised state.
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6. At The End Of The Day is something I am very proud of; and for that, I am truly grateful to Balai, guest curator Shabbir Hussain Mustafa , the artwork lenders and the many others who have supported and made this project possible. 7. I understand that an exhibition such as this is a collaboration between an artist and the museum, and is not simply a showcase for the artist’s plans and intentions. That is why all the works Mustafa and I proposed to exhibit at Balai were submitted for the museum’s consideration and feedback. Balai agreed to all the works installed, and oversaw all the loans and logistics. 8. So why remove these four works after they had already been discussed, approved and on display for months? Balai justifies their decision on the basis of a single Board Member complaining that these works are obscene and political. This makes no sense. Contemporary art in Malaysia has always challenged conventions and has consistently made political commentary. Why these particular four pieces and not any of the others? There is plenty of challenging material throughout the exhibition. Who is this Board Member? How is it that this one person over-rides the rest of the Board and the Director, who collectively approved my exhibition proposal and, furthermore, requested the exhibition extension? What is the process here? 9. Balai’s position on this matter should enter into the public record. There must be accountability and transparency. Reasons must be explained, defended in public, and subjected to scrutiny and debate. One would have thought that in today’s Malaysia, after a historic election result which was propelled in part by the rakyat’s demand for accountability and transparency, that the nation’s premier cultural institution would also cherish and uphold these values. 10. The issue is larger than just a few artworks or a single exhibition, or one particular artist’s practice. The issue is in the integrity of the arts in Malaysia, and the process by which it is served by public institutions.
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The exhibition, titled “At The End Of The Day Even Art Is Not Important”, was open to the public on 28 October 2019 and is meant to be a mid-career survey exhibition.
According to Fuad, the exhibition was scheduled to close on 31 January 2020, but was extended until 29 February as per NAG’s request.
The National Human Rights Society (HAKAM), in a statement, condemned NAG’s decision to take down the artworks as it is a violation of the freedom of speech protected under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
They urged the gallery to reconsider and revise its decision to take down the paintings, and for the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to commit not to censor artistic expressions in future.
Photo: Malay Mail
HAKAM secretary-general, Lim Wei Jiet said, “Politics plays a big part in our everyday lives. Art, in turn, is a reflection of life. Politics should not in any way be deemed as sensitive, unsuitable or undesirable in the arts. In fact, the arts should readily comment, critique and satirise politics in order to produce an enlightened electorate.”
“The National Art Gallery - of all bodies - should hold true to these principles,” he added.
What do you guys think about this?
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
