IN the first feature on participating artists for the upcoming Asean Human Rights Exhibition launching May 3, 2021, Malaysian cartoonist Shika Corona, 42, shares with The Vibes how cartoons act as an impactful medium to promote dialogue.
Follow us in the interview below…
The Vibes: What does your art, especially the cartoons that you produced, mean to you?
Shika Corona: Personally, I see it as a very good creative outlet and medium of expression. Who I am as an artist or what I hope for in the response (from what is delivered through my work) is simply acceptance. The LGBT community in this country exists, and I am highlighting about [religious] policies that contribute to the challenges.
I realise that as Malaysians, we go about our daily lives being happy and at times crazy but most – conversations – still do not heavily touch about the underlying issues that make us a society.
As a transgender artist, I see that the scene needs to be more diverse since it is already male dominated. Diverse here means more women representation, not just in the cartoons touching on the subject but coming out from women (including trans women) themselves. Keyword here is more.
TV: What do you think stands in the way of having the equal visibility expressed?
SC: I can only speak on behalf of myself. The challenges come in dealing with heavy male narrative. When I first started to go independent (not being attached to any company) back in 2008, the conversations were already limited, and it was a taboo to be talking about trans issues but now that we are empowered by the internet, it is easier to share. It is now an open sea, and open market where the reach is more international. Artists in general also do not have to rely on the local market in finding ways to survive.
TV: That said, do you feel that the homegrown support has also evolved since 2008?
SC: Well, acknowledgment is very much confined to certain groups. I.e. activist circle and friends, which means support is still very small. I suppose the tolerance here is okay in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, but outside not so much. Diversity (representation) in the art is the best way to move forward, we cannot just be pushing things from one perspective. I personally am so used to getting backlash, but I do not necessarily beat myself up too much.
TV: Why did you decide to join the Asean Human Rights Exhibition?
SC: I was invited by Pak Zunar and saw it as an opportunity to share. I have drawings which also touch on topics other than trans issues because when I pursued this full time, general human rights and environmental awareness are among the major areas I speak on.
When it comes to showcases, it is always vague in understanding guidelines that do not want to touch on sensitivities. So, for this exhibition specifically, I gave two options – on trans people and the environment. I am still very much respectful of the organisers decision to select which is best for the event.
TV: Do you happen to remember your first cartoon?
SC: Having been a storyboard artist when I was working in advertising in 2000, it is quite hard to pin down ‘the first’ but when I started working on my own, I self-published a book entitled ‘One Big Longkang’, which I collaborated with another writer, Julya Oui. We only go about selling it in art markets and online (my website) but did so low-key in fear of the possible backlash from society at large at the time.
TV: You also have a band called Tingtongketz. Could you share more about it?
SC: I started it in 2015 but pursued it officially in 2018 after coming back from Finland after completing my artist residency (2016-2017), under a program that handles political artists at risk.
Tingtongketz is made up of three members – myself, Gemma (bassist) and Yon (drummer). I have met them over the years as an artist – our drummer has her own band called ‘Shh... Diam!’, they are quite famous among the queer community. We just released our second album, ‘Misi Destinasi’ – an ode to remind me to stick to my dream and go for it. You can listen to us on Spotify and bandcamp. – The Vibes, April 30, 2021
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