Hakam notes with grave concern the National Art Gallery’s decision to take down four paintings of visual artist Ahmad Fuad Osman’s exhibition: At The End Of The Day Even Art Is Not Important .Some of the four paintings depicted politicians or contained political elements.Hakam condemns the gallery’s decision to curtail and censor artistic expression.
Freedom of artistic expression is part and parcel of the freedom of speech protected under Article 10 of the federal constitution.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.Hakam therefore urges the gallery to revoke its decision to take down Fuad’s paintings.
Hakam also requests the gallery and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s commitment to not censor artistic expression in the future, and to fully respect the freedom of artistic expression.* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight.