If you managed to catch the Dan Lain-Lain exhibition at the Creative Space Gallery recently, you were likely left with many more questions than you arrived with. A mark of the best kind of art, for sure. Thought provoking and exploratory, the exhibition invited viewers to explore beyond conventional artistic boundaries, and open conversations on overlooked aspects of society. The group show was available to physically view for a limited time to invited guests before moving to a digital platform where it is viewable to the public. Led by Minority Agenda, an initiative that advocates indigenous and marginalised communities in Brunei in Social Change, and curated by its founder Elroy Ramantan, this insightful and exciting art show “hopes to give awareness on the common social issues that different Borneo region has and in bringing conversations and advocate for positive community change” .
The exhibit is also supported by the U.S Embassy Small Grants Program, in partnership with Borneo Altered Natives, Borneo Bengkel, AYAN Brunei, Kitani Kreatif and the Creative space Gallery. ‘Dan Lain-Lain’ translates from Malay as ‘Any Others’; this play on the idea of ‘the other’ and separation from mainstream sees a diverse group of minority artists from different regions of Borneo showcasing thoughtful art using conventional art mediums. Alai Syafina of Demi Gadis, Bethany Luhong Balan, Catriona Maddocks, Chris Pereira, Ebidang Dus, Gindung McFreddy, Mahmud Azizi, PICO LAB, Suzi Sitai, T.Bagak and Zakaria Pangaribuan are among the many artist that showcased their work at the venue. There post-modern artworks shed light and commentary on social issues that general societies tend to shy away from. With the huge success and glowing feedback Borneo Altered Natives has received from this show, it’s evident that their voices are loud and clear.
