Reposting Nicole Seah's note on the arrest of the Sticker Lady..this is one politician I respect!
The arrest of the Sticker Lady has caused a public uproar, because many are understandably disappointed that such swift action was taken against a person who executed street art, against the backdrop of other more serious cases that warranted public attention in the past but were not addressed publicly.
It is unfortunate but true, that we will never be able to achieve the state of a truly creative society if we continue to place these boundaries around ourselves. We cannot foster a culture that aims to be daring and innovative whilst slapping ourselves on the wrist each time we move out of line.
I am not advocating a chaotic society. But we need to acknowledge that there needs to be a certain degree of tolerance for organic, bottom-up creative activities if we want to progress as a cosmopolitan society. We cannot purely enforce economic growth without strengthening our culture. It causes imbalance and limits our true growth as a nation.
Being made to conform to a particular school of thought or life path may have worked in the past. But we are not born to be clones of each other. If we do not nurture the richness that diversity and creativity brings, we will end up alienating the people who espouse these ideals best. And the day will come where they will either be entirely stifled, or take that creativity elsewhere to other developed nations that will welcome their talent with open arms.
I urge the authorities to refrain from severe penalty, and to treat such incidents that border on the artistic with a light touch, although there still remains the need to be vigilant against acts that threaten public security.
- Nicole Seah
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