It’s no secret that Australian Bali Nine prisoner on death row, Myuran Sukumaran, is an artist and has had extensive involvement with Kerobokan Prison’s art program for inmates.
Despite his well-known art talents, a reference to Sukumaran is reportedly what got an art auction and exhibition shut down earlier this evening.
The auction and exhibition “New Lives Through art” to be held at Hard Rock Hotel Kuta was shut down just hours before it was set to open, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The event was supposed to raise money for an art studio for ex-prisoners, but according to the SMH, a flyer that said the event was dedicated to Sukumaran is what made Indonesian authorities pull the plug.
“The agreement was not to mention any particular person, just that it would be paintings by prisoners,” Sudjonggo, Kerobokan prison governor said, as quoted by the SMH. The mention of Sukumaran in the flyer had reportedly broken an agreement with the event organizers.
More than 90 artworks by Sukumaran and other inmates were expected to be on display.
Most notably, Chinthu, Sukumaran’s brother was said to have plans to attend, along with prison guards and former Kerobokan prisoners who had been inspired by Sukumaran.
It’s Sukumaran’s involved role in the prison art program, among other programs, that are his strongest arguments in favor of his rehabilitation and the role he’s played in helping rehabilitate other prisoners.
The SMH reports that Tina Bailey who is an art and dance teacher at the prison said Sukumaran was not named on the official invitation or poster but the a flyer from an unknown source mentioned the inmate by name.
“It was Myu’s hope that the money raised would go towards the creation of an art studio outside the prison for ex-inmates to learn, to paint and to have a place they could go,” said Chinthu,clearly disappointed, as quoted by the SMH. “The studio would be to help them integrate back into the community.”
Sukumaran and fellow Bali Nine ringleader Andrew Chan were transported to Nusakambangan prison island, the site of their execution, last week on March, 4, but authorities have yet to declare when their executions will actually take place.
Photos from Friends of Myuran Sukumaran Facebook page
