Singapore swings and misses at the arts

I was quoted at the end of this article on the arts in Singapore: Singapore swings and misses at the arts (Asia Times, 10 Feb 2018)

On Neutrality

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." — Desmond Tutu

On Burning

“The real damage is done by those millions who want to 'survive.' The honest men who just want to be left in peace.

Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honour, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small.

It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you.

But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does.

I choose my own way to burn.”

― Sophie Scholl

New Order - Young Offender

 

 

New Order - Young Offender

Pictures of an image of a person who could not be blamed
You are a colour and you are a number
We need a sanction to see one another
If I keep my distance in the season of this slender hell
It's because of the need to live off one another
Go home young offender and stay undercover

We're busy running out of time
(Whatever it takes, I will make you mine)
I'll take the future from your hands
(With all the things I've never had, I'll commit the perfect crime)

We're strong, we do our thing
Let the world cry, watch the birds sing
Give me the freedom, I need to recover
Words cannot heal, when a line is your lover

Wind howls in my chamber like an angel
(Like an angel)
You are a colour and you are a number
Go home young offender and stay undercover

Townhall: Arts and the Law

There will be a town hall meeting by members of the Singapore arts community as well as the NMP for the Arts to discuss my recent work that I was arrested for, as well as other related issues.

You're all welcome to attend and participate.

Find out more about the event here.

Statement on my arrest by the United Nations Human Rights Office

Read the full statement on their Facebook page and website.

32 Years: The Interrogation of a Mirror

My next artwork will be performed on October 1st at Speakers Corner, Singapore. Here's the Facebook event page.