Kuala Lumpur

About the Conference | About the Festival

On 16 and 17 February, 400 Southeast Asian activists from 8 countries, spanning three generations, will convene in Kuala Lumpur for a democracy festival, which includes activist teach-ins, evening rock concerts and a week-long “democracy-in-action” art exhibit open to the public, free of charge.

The RSVP to the opening event and 2-day conference has now been closed. Thank you to all who have registered. The full two-day event, including the opening ceremony, will be broadcast live on Facebook as well as on this website.

The Democracy in Action art exhibition (13-17 February) and Seiring Sejalan music performances (16-17 February) are open to the public and no registration is needed.

Democracy in Action

Democracy in Action is an exhibition documenting an array of selected works from artists that have participated in social movements looking at issues and contexts with local perspectives. The works on exhibit are from a vast number of talented Malaysian & Southeast Asia artists – including artists collectives – whose works are based on their respective critical issues and regional themes.

FORSEA-democracy-in-action-poster

The Art Exhibition “Democracy In Action” will be officially opened by Malaysia’s PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the first day of the Inaugural Conference of FORSEA, “Celebrating Democracy in Malaysia, Renewing Communities in Southeast Asia, Promoting Human Rights For All”, on February 16, 2019 at Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The meaning of Art for all is something that’s not merely to be enjoyed for its aesthetic beauty alone, but the messages conveyed, the very foundation of the works, can act as a guide towards the betterment of society.

Talented Artists from across the Region

Those artists exhibiting works take the role of mediator in response to critical issues and offer messages that form public dialogues through their visual art. Among the artists participating in the exhibition are: Ahmad Fuad Osman (Malaysia), Amin Landak (Malaysia), Anida Yoeu Ali (Cambodia), Arahmaiani (Indonesia), Artist’s Collective -Puncak Purnama (Malaysia), Fadhli Ariffin (Malaysia), Hasnoor Hussain ( Malaysia),Sharon Chin (Malaysia), Taring Padi (Indonesia), Khai Maew (Thailand), Le Brothers (Vietnam), Pangrok Sulap (Malaysia),Ronasina (Malaysia), Sabihis Md Pandi (Malaysia), Yeoh Lian Heng (Malaysia), and Zoncy (Myanmar)& Zunar (Malaysia).

In addition to the exhibition, other supporting programmes such as art talks with Taring Padi (Indonesia) art collective and Shaq Koyok (Malaysia) will take place on February 13, 2019, at the Black Box exhibition space. Furthermore, the Indonesia performance artist, Arahmaini, will showcase her performance art piece on February 16, 2019.

Everyone is welcomed to attend and we hope you enjoy the exhibition!

Intan Rafiza (curator)


See the full programme of events taking place at the Official Launch –

FORSEA KL CONFERENCE COVER

Although the RSVP to the opening event and 2-days conference has been closed, everyone can catch the main events which will be streamed live on Facebook as well as on this website.


For the latest news on participating artists, and updates from the venue, join Forsea KL 2019 on social media.

For the latest news on participating artists, and updates from the venue, join Forsea KL 2019 on social media.


Posted by FORSEA