Love for sale
ARTAID16 returns with a bumper crop of artists.
THE works of 46 established and emerging Malaysian contemporary artists are on show at ARTAID16, the second edition of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) ARTAID exhibition series. The show, in aid of women living with HIV, is now on at White Box, Publika in Kuala Lumpur till Nov 9.
“The overwhelming success of last year’s ARTAID15, which raised a total of RM230,000 for our women’s HIV treatment, care and support programmes, not only inspired us to continue this endeavour; it also encouraged us to double the scale and ambition of the exhibition,” says Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, chairman of the MAF.
Under the theme Love For Sale, this year’s collection explores the subject matter of “love” – in all its universality, diversity and complexity – while bringing to attention the gender disparities and inequities that continue to negatively affect women living with HIV.
Veteran artist Ahmad Zakii Anwar, 61, who conceived the ARTAID project in 2015, is back at the helm of ARTAID16 serving as advisor of the exhibition.
Leading the curatorial work for ARTAID16 is Noor Mahnun Mohamed, painter, printmaker and art writer.
“I am particularly pleased to see the participation of 11 female artists in ARTAID16 and the overall strength of their body of work,” says Noor.
“Women in arts have a responsibility to paint the realities of other women in our community, especially those suffering in silence due to HIV stigma. We hope our paintings and creations will go on to inspire confidence, courage and determination in these women and enrich their lives,” she adds.
Works by female artists like Bibi Chew, Chong Ai Lei, Fadilah Karim, Anisa Abdullah, Umibaizurah Mahir Ismail, and Alexandra Hon stand shoulder-to-shoulder with male artists like Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Roslisham Ismail (Ise), Haslin Ismail, Samsudin Wahab, Poodien, Saiful Razman and Zac Lee.
The ARTAID16 exhibition is on at White Box, Publika, Solaris Dutamas in Kuala Lumpur till Nov 9. Open: 11am to 9pm daily. Free admission. More info: yam.org.my/ V2/project/artaid16/. Call 03-4047 4222.