By Yasmin Jaidin
For a while now, artists are no longer bound to one medium, industry or even platform of performance. The possibilities of exploration are endless, but it leads me to question, why is the artist’s perspective so important that it is worthy of others contemplation?
In a nation of censorship, I think of those that have the confidence to speak up and the platforms that are available for us. We are in a time where globally we are facing riots, violence and protest amidst a pandemic, and I am very much grateful for the peace we have, but I begin to breakdown our own platforms of expression.
Local artists share the same expectations that international artists do in their respective communities. The platforms that they are provided are sensitive towards their community, political views and government. The difference is always in regard to their regional values. Some nations allow their artists to be candid and some nations expect a little bit more sensitivity. These boundaries act as a challenge for the artist to highlight issues that are able to push questions in a safe manner for their audience in their immediate communities. In our country there are very specific channels we should go through, although some may say they are limiting, they should be made use of nonetheless, and the gallery floor is one of them.
CONTOH surrounds itself with a topic that if presented as text on a piece of paper, one could mistake it for an economic study. A theme that is rather straightforward to our nation as we all have contributed to our economy in one form or another, no matter how small or big. Everyone has a perspective, a view and an experience on the matter, but have we explored it in the perspective of the artist? The issues that each artist has touched on has raised questions and even prompted initiatives by locals and government bodies long before CONTOH was even contrived.
Creative Space has created a platform for, not only the artists but the audience, to contemplate and raise any opinion on the matter. The audience is able to add the artist’s research as well as raise questions and thoughts in themselves on a matter that concerns the majority of us.
There have been a few discussions I have had with individuals over my experience as an art student, artist and art teacher regarding their role as a viewer. It has come to my attention that some viewers feel that when viewing a body of work, they are to read and take in the artist’s view and call it a day. Every time, I tell them that it isn’t as one-sided and that the experience they have in the room, whether they are enjoying themselves or not, matters just as much as the artist's voice.
The backstory to this was realised during my time as an undergraduate. Twice a year we were expected to present our work in an exhibition room to over 70 art students and lecturers across all levels for a convener. Each presenting student had to stand in front of the audience and was given 30 minutes of open discourse where all participants were closely monitored by attending lecturers. Every convener session was brutal, if you did not have research and theory at hand or articulate your thoughts, you would have been shown no mercy.
In my first year, the things that I had experienced and witnessed in the conveners were traumatising. Picture this: a naive first-year student presents a body of work that they have been working on for months only to be reduced to nothing by a group of seniors in under half an hour. Putting their voice and thoughts out there with confidence and pride only for it to be deemed as cute, uncritical, boring and drab. Can you imagine the humiliation of your inability to defend your work in front of such a large audience, and on top of that, the whole experience was being assessed by your lecturer?
As traumatising as this whole ordeal was, what shocked me the most was at the end of each convener, everybody would come together for dinner and drinks at the local pub. Surely the last person you would want to sit down for a drink with would be a peer that had criticised your work earlier in the PM?
What was being nurtured in all of us at that moment, was that it was all about having respect for the voice of your community. The peers in the convener room wanted to discuss issues that frustrated them, were relatable and issues that they wanted to learn more of. Their opinion of your work mattered and it was not just about the artist presenting you with innovative perspectives, it was about the artist reflecting off their own immediate communities. An artist’s idea may have started from a personal perspective, but it stems out to research and community values that don’t end at the time and place of the ‘final work’ exhibit, it extends to the gallery floor and the viewer. The artist’s work is essentially the community’s voice.
How to Book your exhibition pass:
Plan your visit to the Contoh Exhibition by checking our schedule.
DM via Instagram @creative.space.brunei or text +673 836 3303 (Whatsapp / Telegram) the following information:
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Exhibition date: Till the 9th of August 2020
Entry fee: $15.00 (single entry), $20.00 (unlimited entry)
Location: Unit 6B, Block B, 1st Floor, Sengkurung Shopping Complex.