The Kulleh Comrades, led by Sarawakian artist-poet Kulleh Grasi, has been invited to carry out at the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia (aka Venice Biennale 2022), a primary for Malaysian indigenous artists.
The music group, introduced collectively for the Venice Biennale, will carry out at the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia on April 22 as a part of the opening night time of aabaakwad (in Sami language: “it clears after the storm”), a gathering of worldwide artists, curators and thinkers.
It will happen at the Nordic Pavilion, reworked this yr into the Sami Pavilion in celebration of indigenous heritage. The aabaakwad is a worldwide dialogue analyzing themes, supplies, and experiences in Indigenous artwork practises.
“The involvement of indigenous artists from Sarawak at the prestigious Venice Biennale 2022 is an honour and an important opportunity in the ecosystem of indigenous art of South-East Asia,” says Kulleh, 37, a founding member of Nading Rhapsody, a band which attracts from the oral and muusic traditions of Sarawak.
Kulleh Comrades may also participate in panel discussions and poetry readings from April 21-26.
The indigenous music venture consists of Kulleh (pen title of Royston John Kulleh), Iban musician Gabriel Fairuz Louis, Stanny Benedict and Boy Nelson from the Dayak Cultural Foundation, singer Jen Rossem, and music trainer Matt Dalin.
Kulleh Comrades, that includes performers with Iban and Bidayuh heritage, will current a setlist mixing Sarawakian folks music, poetry and Nusantara ballads.
“Besides presenting indigenous music, visual art and literature of Sarawak and Malaysia to the global stage, it offers us an opportunity to expand our network and understand indigenous art and culture from around the world,” provides Kulleh, a poet, singer-songwriter, and cultural activist from Kapit, Sarawak.
Kulleh writes in Bahasa Malaysia, Iban, and several other different indigenous languages (from Borneo). His poetry e-book, Tell Me, Kenyalang, made it to the longlist of the 2020 Best Translated Books Award.
Also collaborating at the upcoming Venice Biennale is Ipoh-based artwork group People of Remarkable Talents (PORT), which will probably be presenting a group exhibition known as Pera _ Flora + Fauna. It is a part of 31 “Collateral Events” which are scheduled at the Venice Biennale, which opens to the public on April 23.
