Exhibition “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus”
October 22 @ 10:00 am - November 3 @ 8:00 pm
SEA Junction, in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), will hold the Exhibition “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus” from 22 October to 3 November 2024 at the Curved Wall, 4th floor (Comics Exhibition) and Corner Space, 1st floor (Cartoons Exhibitions), Bangkok Art and Culture Center to reflect on the future of the role of ASEAN in addressing current and emerging issues in the region. In the 4th floor, comics are displayed, while the cartoons are showcased in the first floor.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the coup in Myanmar and autocratic changes in other member states, unresolved geo-political tensions and recessionary pressures have brought attention towards ASEAN, prompting crucial questions on whether it is fulfilling or failing to fulfill its role, and have put a spotlight on regional development and interaction. With growing questions on whether ASEAN is indeed people-oriented as it claims in its Charter and “for whom” and whose interests ASEAN is acting, there is an urgency to promote public discussion on the so-called “ASEAN Way” and particularly on the two core institutional principles of “Consensus” and “Non-Interference”.
Both concepts are today under discussion. Consensus has been seen as playing a positive role in fostering unity among the diverse members, yet it has often delayed response, with some arguing in favor of changing the rule to a majority one to enhance effectiveness. Likewise, the Non-Interference principle is deemed to have given a positive contribution to ensure unduly interferences and promote respect “for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations” as stated in ASEAN’s Treaty of Amenity. However, amid a worsening human rights crisis in the region especially in Myanmar and emerging transnational threats, ASEAN has failed to provide protection of its people and ensure the respect of their human rights by appealing to this same principle.
The aim of this exhibition is to highlight how creativity can help highlight complex issues for a general public and to promote a critical understanding of ASEAN and its Consensus and Non-Interference principles. Cartoons and comics combine textual and visual elements to express critical thinking and create narratives, balancing humor with seriousness. The comics and cartoons from various participants across Southeast Asia vividly portray the role of ASEAN through engaging visual elements. We trust that in this way they can draw attention to regional governance and trigger a conversation on steps needed in realizing a people-oriented ASEAN.
This exhibition consists of the artwork of the winners of the Cartoons and Comics Competition “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus” held by SEA Junction in collaboration with AJAR in early 2024 as well as selected artworks from other participants in both the cartoons and the comics categories. More particularly, the winners are as follow:
Comics/ Storyboard Category
1st Prize: Gandjar Harta Widodo, Indonesia
2nd Prize: Christian Oliver A. Cruz, the Philippines
3rd Prize: Priyo Wicaksono, Indonesia
Special Mention: Twinkle I. Mangi from the Philippines, Kyaw Lin from Myanmar, Kanthapong Rachniyom from Thailand
Cartoons Category
1st Prize: Joshua Ezekiel C. Bolofer, the Philippines
2nd Prize: Ye Thway Ni, Myanmar
3rd Prize: Wahyu Erliandra from Indonesia and Iris Athena Serrano
Special Mention: T.H.A. from Myanmar, Arts by Kid from M
The opening of the exhibition is being planned and will be communicated soon.
For more information/reservation, please contact us at info@seajunction.org or message us in any social media channel.
Events are free, but donations are welcome.
Organizers:
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions, from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 407-8 of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre or BACC, SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information, see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440/ and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @seajunction
Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
AJAR is a non-profit organization, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, whose aim is to contribute to the strengthening of human rights and the alleviation of entrenched impunity in the Asia-Pacific region. Its work focuses on countries involved in transition from a context of mass human rights violations to democracy, where it strives to build cultures based on accountability, justice and a willingness to learn from the root causes of mass human rights violations to help prevent the recurrence of state-sanctioned human rights violations. For more information, see www.asia-ajar.org.
