KUALA LUMPUR: The word “independence” holds a different meaning for everyone. Beyond symbolising a nation’s freedom, it also reflects how individuals live their lives and value the freedom they have.
For multidisciplinary artist Norhayati Kaprawi, it also means giving women the freedom to live without fear, pressure and harassment.
The 60-year-old, better known as Yati Kaprawi, expressed her views on independence through 15 artworks showcased at the Puan-Tastic Festival at the GMBB creative community mall in Bukit Bintang here on Aug 14 and 15, held in conjunction with the National month.
A women’s rights activist, Yati said she viewed independence from two perspectives – the freedom of a nation and women’s personal freedom to live without pressure and harassment, while having sufficient time and space for themselves.
“For women, we usually carry a double burden, working not only in the office but also at home.
“So, women need time for themselves and should feel safe in public spaces without fear of being harassed or disturbed. To me, that is a form of personal freedom that is immensely valuable,” she told Bernama.
The Batu Pahat-born artist, who also produces documentary films and animations, said half of the artworks featured prominent Malaysian women, based on research by academic, social anthropologist and women’s rights activist Dr Rusaslina Idrus.
She said Rusaslina was among the co-founders of the Sejarah Wanita digital project in 2012, which sought to document, preserve and highlight the stories of women whose contributions have often been overlooked in Malaysia’s mainstream historical narratives.
“My biggest challenge was not simply creating the images but selecting a moment or element that could represent the life journey of a particular figure, as their histories are so rich,” Yati said.
She also viewed art exhibitions as a means of public education, particularly for younger generations who may be less familiar with women who played significant roles in the nation’s history.
Yati hoped that exhibitions like the Puan-Tastic Festival would inspire young people to connect with history and recognise the sacrifices made for the nation’s independence.
“Understanding the sacrifices of previous generations is crucial to fostering greater appreciation of the significant contributions made by women to the formation of Malaysia and the country’s harmony,” she said.
