Kerfuffle over sketch by artist Vincent Leow; Esplanade says it was ‘error of judgement’

SINGAPORE — A sketch by a controversial local artist on exhibition at the Esplanade has caused an online furore, prompting the performing art centre’s chief executive officer-designate to admit that it was an “error of judgement”, though Ms Yvonne Tham stopped short of apologising on Tuesday (June 5).

Images of the sketch by Vincent Leow, which shows the back of a naked man on top of a chicken, went viral on social media after a Facebook page named Singaporeans Defending Marriage & Family claimed that the Esplanade was “promoting bestiality”. Its Facebook post on Tuesday also said that the exhibition, which spans the school holidays, is located near a children’s art space and play area.

The Esplanade will not be taking down the artwork for now despite it drawing a few formal complaints, as Ms Tham said they are in the midst of contacting Mr Leow before taking any further action. She explained that “we must respect that he knows about the response”.

The 1989 artwork is part of a April 13 to July 8 exhibition curated by the Esplanade showcasing Mr Leow’s sketchbooks and loose drawings from his 30-year career as an artist.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Ms Tham said: “This exhibition has no intent to advocate for any position… The sole intent of the exhibition is to be able to present the very different things that may go behind the minds of an artist.”

However, she added: “Given the very public thoroughfare, the wide diversity of people who may come through not expecting to see art, may come through with young children...encountering a work without any forewarning or advisory in this case may not have been the most appropriate space for the nature of this particular sketch. This is solely Esplanade’s error of judgement.”

Ms Tham added it is in the institution’s interest to serve both artists and audiences, and that her team plans to work with Mr Leow to figure out the “best way to still show the diversity and range of his work”.

A self-confessed “enfant terrible”, Leow, 57, is no stranger to controversy. In 1992, Mr Leow’s art performance made headlines after he drank his own urine to make a point that artists are the producers and consumers of art. That same year, he also wore a suit made entirely of fake American dollar bills in a performance to mock Singaporean’s obsession with wealth and superstition.

Mr Leow could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

When TODAY visited the Esplanade on Tuesday afternoon, a handful of curious folks and angry parents were seen studying the controversial artwork.

One parent in her mid-40s, who only wanted to known as Madam Lim, was at the Esplanade’s general office to submit a written complaint.

She said: “As a member of the public who was passing through, I feel that this artwork is simply not age appropriate.”

Others such as Madam Chan and her husband, who are 69 and 72 respectively, had heard of the controversy surrounding the artwork and came to the centre to verify that it was not “fake news”.

Madam Chan did not approve of the artwork, as she said: “We don’t want to see our children being exposed to this. Their values will be shaken. They will find that there is a new norm appealing to people.”

Mr Chan suggested that the artwork be placed in a “special room” for an audience aged 18 and above.

While Mr Leow’s sketch drew strong reactions from some, there were others who felt the criticism was unjustified.

“I just take it as art... It’s okay because it really doesn’t seem that obscene,” said Madam Lee, 70, a retiree who was visiting the Esplanade with her grandchildren.

A business owner in his 30s, who declined to be named, said he was appalled after reading the Facebook post, but calmed down after visiting the exhibition. He said “it is okay” as it is art, and that the exhibition is in an institution that supports artistic expression.

But the father of two young children added that he would not allow them to view it, as “the kids will ask what this is, and it would be hard to explain”. 

Retiree Mike Williams, who is here on a visit from the United States, said that the exhibition’s curators should be “more sensitive” to public sentiments given that it is located in a public place.

“I don’t have any problems with it as it’s a piece of art, but (that depends on) where it is displayed,” said the 63 year old.