ARTISTS from Laman Seni have vacated their lots following a move out order, with no immediate plans for relocation despite government assurances.
The group, who had been based at the creative hub for decades, was given until January 31 to leave, as the site falls within the redevelopment zone of Wisma Budaya.
While the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has pledged to find an alternative space for them, no clear timeline or concrete details have been provided.
Tenants say they have not been approached since Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew made the announcement, leaving them uncertain about their next step.
The artists have been forced to find their own solutions with no interim space arranged to continue their work.
Located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu city, Laman Seni had 16 designated lots, but only 10 were occupied before the eviction.
The venue is seen as a one-stop-centre for art enthusiasts, those looking to have their portraits commissioned and paintings.
Some tenants had outstanding rent payments, but not all were in arrears, yet all were asked to leave.
For artist Rosmaini Sunarjo, 44, the lack of a new space has made it impossible for him to continue his work as usual.
“This plan is important because if there is no studio, for people like us—like myself—I need a studio to meet clients or things like that. If there isn’t one, I feel like I will have to go to the peninsula to find work there. Because there’s nothing much going on here.
“If not in KL, I will stay here. But here, it depends on my luck. Maybe not in the field of art, just any job that provides a salary.
“Because here, for example, myself, I had to move back to my parents’ house in Kinarut. The house there is small. So, if I want to do large-scale painting jobs, it’s impossible,” he said.
Rosmaini also noted that paint or artists no longer have regular jobs like mall artists or venue artists like in the past.
This means he may look for a regular job that has nothing to do with arts any longer.
The uncertainty also means putting their artistic careers on hold.
“After this, my plan is maybe to stop for a while. There is no place yet. If there is a place, that would be good too. But they haven’t provided a place for us. Everything here, there is no place yet. So, each of us is going our separate ways,” said 63-year-old artist, Patrick Monjong.
Monjong said he may go live with his children in Kinarut and spend his days playing with his grandchildren there.
“Taking care of the grandchildren, for now, that’s the only thing to do. Even if I do something there, it’s not like being here,” he said.
Even before their eviction, Laman Seni’s artists had already been struggling financially. Foot traffic dwindled, and sales had slowed to the point where some artists barely made enough to cover daily expenses.
“Some days, I don’t even make RM10. Before COVID-19, things were much better. In two weeks, you might get around RM200 or RM300.
That’s how it is. You eat, you drink, you buy your painting supplies. But those materials are no longer seen. They have been gone since COVID-19,” he said.
The closure of Laman Seni adds another layer of uncertainty for them.
Without a dedicated space to display and sell their work, their earnings are expected to drop even further.
Liew had said that her ministry would identify an alternative location for the displaced artists, but no official details have been provided on when or where this will happen.
Crucially, none of the artists have been contacted since her announcement, and there has been no discussion on whether temporary arrangements will be made while a new space is secured.
With no official relocation plans in place, the eviction deadline remained unchanged.
For now, those affected are left to navigate their next steps on their own. Some are exploring online sales, others have temporarily paused their work, while a few are seeking alternative locations outside Sabah.
“I’ll take commissions where I can, but it’s not the same as having a space where people can see my work,” said one artist who requested anonymity.
The eviction has also renewed calls for a dedicated arts hub in Sabah, where local artists can work, showcase, and sell their creations.
However, with no immediate action taken, artists who once brought Laman Seni to life are now left to fend for themselves. - February 2, 2025
