After years of calling Laman Seni home, the artists who occupied the creative space vacated the place with no immediate alternative in sight.
Despite assurances from the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry that a replacement site would be found, no concrete arrangements were made, leaving artists in limbo as the January 31 deadline passed.
The government insists that discussions are ongoing, but not a single artist was approached after Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew’s statement, raising questions about the sincerity of the commitment.
The move out in spite no pressure from officers from the cultural board, the entity which operates Wisma Budaya and the Laman Seni, went as planned without retaliation.
But the artists were left to their own to find solutions.
For many, the reality is bleak: some will pause their work indefinitely, others contemplate to relocate out of Sabah, while a few are contemplating taking non-art-related jobs to survive.
Laman Seni housed 16 lots, but only 10 were actively occupied before the eviction notice was issued.
The place was once known as a centre for art enthusiasts to shop for authentic local artists work, or portraits commissioned and others.
But business had not been good since Covid-19 and some tenants could not make rent, owing thousands to the cultural board.
But even when not all of them owe arrears to the board, the move out was likely to occur at any moment, eventually.
Rosmaini, one of the displaced artists, said he was left with no choice but to move back into his family home in Kinarut, even though the space is far from ideal for his work.
“I had to move back to my parents’ house, but the place is too small. There’s no way I can do large-scale paintings there. It’s impossible,” he said.
”People like us – like myself – i need a studio to meet clients or things like that. If there’s isnt one, i feel like i will have to go to the peninsula to find work there, if not i will stay here and find work,” he added.
Rosmaini said staying on being an artists is tough. Work dont come around much like before. Getting work like mural jobs will now depend on luck. Companies like mall operators or events barely hire any artists any longer.
Rosmaini use to have a full time job as a mall artists before.
Patrick Monjong, who has been painting at Laman Seni since 2012, faces a similar dilemma.
“Maybe after this, i will go to Kinarut, or maybe somewhere else, or perhaps continue to stay here. But renting out now is also expensive and its hard to find a good one.
“I may sell of things here and go back to my children home in Kinarut. Take a long vacation and play with my grandchildren,” he said.
Even before the eviction, artists at Laman Seni were struggling financially.
Foot traffic had declined, and sales had plummeted, making it difficult for some to pay rent.
“Now there are fewer tourists. You can’t be sure if you will make RM10 today.
“Previously, you might get something just by luck. If you get RM200 or RM300, a portion you can spend. That’s how it was. You eat, drink, you buy painting supplies.
“But those you dont see anymore. They have gone since after Covid-19,” said Monjong.
For artists like him, the loss of their workspace only worsens their situation. Without a designated place to sell and showcase their work, their income will likely shrink even further.
When Datuk Christina Liew initially said the ministry would find an alternative site for the artists, she did not address the move out deadline.
None of the artists were approached after her statement, and no details were given on when or where a new site might be available.
With no clear plan, artists were left with no choice but to vacate Laman Seni without knowing what comes next.
For now, displaced artists are left to find their own solutions. Some will try to sell their work online, others will pause their careers until an alternative emerges, while a few will attempt to relocate elsewhere.
“I’ll take commissions where I can, but it’s not the same as having a place to work from,” said one artist. – February 2, 2025
