20 December 2024
The Hot Seat: Should the government regulate art?
Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.
But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control?
Consider the case of the Samsui mural.
The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns.
Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place?
On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

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