KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — A painting made four years ago at the height of the American conflict in Irag has ironically been criticised as an “insult to Islam.” Artist Anurendra Jegadeva explained in a statement today that I is for Idiot — one of the 26 works that make up the “Alphabet for the Middle Aged Middle Classes” series — was intended to express his feeling of solidarity with the Iraqi people. The painting had come under intense criticism from some pro-Umno bloggers who took exception to the mirrored inscription of the Arabic “basmala” that is part of the Islamic phrase commonly translated as “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” Anurendra, popularly known as J. Anu, explained that it was meant to depict a certain moment in world history when everything “seemed upside down and inside out”, denying any malicious, evil, or mischievous intent to insult or belittle Islam. “The verse is used with respect as a symbolic representation for the entire Iraqi nation, who in my mind, were the innocent victims of their own leaders as well as foreign powers and always, the oil lobby,” said the artist. “It is my expression of solidarity with the suffering of the Iraqi person-on-the-street in the time of war and upheaval…. most of whom are Muslims.” He explained that the word “Idiot” refers to then-US president George W. Bush, who was also depicted in the painting in the famous “mission accomplished” moment when he landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003. The red- and white-striped flag, thought to be the Malaysian flag by the bloggers, is actually the American flag, adorned with the Jolly Roger skull-and-crossbones, commonly associated with pirates. Anurendra said it was an indictment of Bush’s foreign policy which he felt was aimed at benefiting the American national and corporate interests abroad at any cost. “Meanwhile, the monkey in the fighter pilot’s helmet is a representation of American military might and its actions — particularly in the bombing of Baghdad and consequently other Iraqi cities during that Bush presidency,” Anurendra explained. He apologised if the painting had “caused offence to anyone.” He went on to explain, “Malaysia is my Homeland and it has never been my intention to offend my fellow Malaysians and that is very deeply regretted. My art is simply a way for me to try and understand the world in which we live in and do it with truth, sincerity, grace.” In the brewing controversy surrounding the painting, it was learned that the police came to the exhibition at Publika, Solaris Dutamas here yesterday to speak to Anurendra and take photographs of the “offensive” painting. The painting was removed by the police, and the others in the installation of 26 in total have since been taken down from the exhibition which is to celebrate the 50th Malaysia Day this September 16. -
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:34:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015