ARTISTS in Malaysia must speak out and challenge any effort by the authorities to control and dictate the direction of their work, said arts activist Raja Ahmad Aminullah.

Raja Ahmad said the recent seizure of works during the Biennale Kuala Lumpur (KLB) 2017 exhibition shocked him, adding that he was disappointed at the lack of outrage from the artistic community.

“Why do we allow ourselves to be sterilised by the authorities? This means we have a culture of fear. We’re afraid to voice our stand.

“As an artist, one of our main responsibilities is to break the silence. If artist don’t voice out, who will?” he told The Malaysian Insight at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

On display was a collection of his essays titled Minda Tertawan (A captive mind) published in 2011 and which records his critical views of the intellectual and academic environment in Malaysia.

He blames politics for stifling them.

Last week, a group of artists from Pusat Sekitar Seni (PSS) withdrew from the KLB 2017 and covered their creation “Under Construction” with a netting to protest against the removal of certain parts of the work.

Their installation was subject to a police investigation for “communist elements”.

PSS spokesman Aisyah Baharuddin said police removed several elements in the installation, including a few books as well as a word “Rasuahahahahaha” formed from letters cut out from newspaper clippings and old magazines.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim denied that police had seized sections of the exhibition, as alleged by the curator, but said authorities had advised the curator that several items on display were “not suitable”.

“It was the curator who removed those works and returned them to the artists,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Online, adding that police are investigating the case.

Room for expression

Raja Ahmad, who is a former member of the board of directors at Utusan Melayu Berhad, said the authorities should be open to giving young artist room to express themselves.

“This artwork (Under Construction) is by young people, and should have been made one of the works on display.

“Artwork involves the expressions of a new generation. It is a fact that the younger generation will be more critical.”

He said while the country has laws and rules, the authorities cannot abuse their power to create an environment of fear.

“Is saying the word ‘bribery’ against the law?

“We have to be open-minded and welcome different points of views.

“Arguments must be countered by arguments, not by enforcement.”

NAG should be defender

Renowned artist Ahmad Zakii Anwar said the National Art Gallery should have done more to defend the contemporary works in its exhibition.

“When the gallery runs an exhibition of contemporary art, it is an art that is always changing and is critical.

“So if the gallery wants to have such a concept, then it needs to defend the artists.

“If you want to be a government propaganda gallery then say so… it’s easy. So, whatever that is critical of the government, don’t display it.

“Artists who want to criticise the government then will not exhibit their works at the art gallery,” he said.

Another well-known artist, Masnoor Ramli Mahmud, expressed disappointment at what had happened to the PSS artists, saying their rights been denied.

“I’m sure there was some intervention. The National Art Gallery is being politicised. It should be a space that births inspiration and a discussion of current issues,” he said.

KLB 2017, which ran on the theme Belas, was officiated by the Culture and Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz last Thursday and will run until March 2018.

The event showcased the works of 103 Malaysian and 11 international artists. – November 28, 2017.