It's difficult for me to make a comment on the visual arts or fine arts scene in Malaysia. I don't have any direct working experience with visual arts nor was I trained or educated in it. In fact, my career progression is very much the opposite. I was trained as a multimedia designer, coming from a capitalistic, supply-demand entry point into the world of art where art exist to fuel commercialism. Trade. Finance. Drive the economy.
After a brief stint in the world of advertising, I decided that it wasn't for me. I freelanced and in the process, I was then exposed to the world of art -- art that has a deeper meaning. Art that provides satisfaction and happiness to people. Art that bring people together. Art that change the world. I first started dabbling into the art world through theatre. And in theatre and the performing arts, thanks to pioneer cross sector collaborators like Krishen Jit, Piyadasa, Ismail Zain and many more - I was exposed to the wider world of visual arts.
Long story short, I explored the art scene of Malaysia hungrily. I went for many shows, performances, openings, commemorations, bazaars and more! I wanted to know the people behind it all. The history. The story. The potential. From these experience -- I drew on own observations about art, about Malaysia, about Malaysian art. Below is something I wrote when I applied for the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur's "Future Curation Now" workshop conducted by the senior curator of Mori Art Museum last month. Re-reading it, I think my opinion still stands -- and I can't wait to learn more about criticism and art, to better equip myself to improve and advance the arts industry in Malaysia.
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"I have observed that the Malaysian arts sector generally suffers from lack of audience, across all art forms, visual arts included. The general appreciation of the arts is low by the general public – and whenever there are the various exciting and interesting exhibitions being put on display, the crowd that comes to the show or visit these galleries are often the same people.
While the visual arts scene in Malaysia have advance in many ways, I observe that the general public’s sense of appreciation isn’t necessarily advancing at the same pace. This creates a disparity between the art makers and the community. When asked about art appreciation and reasons why the public does not visit art galleries, I often hear of the usual laments: “I don’t know what art is,” “Art is for rich people,” “It’s too high brow” or worse “Art is boring, I don’t know what’s going on.” At no fault of the galleries, curators or artists, I feel that shows today do not get general public excited, in a general public sort of level of understanding art.
If we continue down this path, the widening gap may never be closed again, and this fearfully will result in an alienation of art audience completely. There will be no future for art or the artist, if there are no audience who can appreciate art. Cultivation of a (new) generation of art appreciators in Malaysia needed to have started years ago. Hence, there is a vital need today to bridge this widening gap, by addressing the problem directly. "
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- Grey Yeoh, 28 Aug 2014
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