Ali Saidi Hasan

Protesting with Spray Cans

Ali Saidi Hasan, the Iraqi expatriate artist who has been staying in India for almost a decade now was invited by the Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi on 14th May 2007 to express solidarity with the protesting Indian artists on the Baroda issue. Here is his statement and a few pictures of his Graffiti Performance.

“I performed with spray-colors can, graffiti on the walls of “(W)adhera Art Gallery –New Delhi” last week.

As they requested me express my solidarity and position to the last event that happened against the freedom of expression, against violence, intolerance and authoritarianism in culture.

As we are educated and we live in modern time –2007; and out of the medieval age that left its intolerance over many centuries, I believe that there are no limits to the artistic expression.

And, I condemn strongly against those who stand in the way of freedom, particularly of expression in art, and culture in general. And how is it conducted? Nowadays, that even the “kiss” a Symbol of love and tolerance is rejected in the name of rigid ideology and behavior.

An artist, has to be free to paint, and to exhibited whatever he like to express, if there no obscenity or offense against anyone. Also to support an artist’s freedom as individual, where in such society that is not ready to learn, or to change for better and to accept the good.”