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Al Siraat: Detail of the work by Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem which was removed from an exhibition at the SOAS Brunei Gallery |
SOAS in art ‘censorship’ wrangle
A PRESTIGIOUS university in Bloomsbury has received millions of pounds in donations from governments with poor human rights records leading to “censorship” of an art exhibition, a report claims.
The School of Oriental and African Studies is among one of 20 universities named in a publication from the think tank the Centre for Social Cohesion.
The 172-page report – A Degree of Influence: The funding of strategically important subjects in UK universities – shows how donations are made to set up academic courses in universities across the country.
It criticises SOAS for approving the removal of an artwork from an exhibition in its Brunei Gallery “at the behest of one of its funders”.
The painting by artist Abdulnasser Gharem called Al Siraat – Arabic for the spiritual pathway that connects the living world and the afterlife – depicts a broken bridge covered with graffiti and leading into the unknown. It has been published in magazines and newspapers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Report author Robin Simcox said: “That Al Siraat could be seen as inoffensive enough to be displayed in Saudi Arabia – where freedom of speech and repression is severely restricted – yet too provocative for an art exhibition on a UK university campus, which should be a bastion of free speech, is remarkable. However, it is of greater concern that such a blatant example should exist where those who contribute funds to UK universities are then able to have significant oversight over the university’s actions.”
Stephen Stapleton, the curator of the exhibition in the Brunei Gallery, which is managed by SOAS, denied there was any pressure to remove the artwork “from SOAS or the Saudi government”, but he did not rule out higher authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He added: “It was that there was a chance it could be misinterpreted and, after consultation with the artist and advisers, it was decided not to exhibit it at this stage of what is to be a much longer term project.”
Mr Simcox’s report lists donations made to SOAS by high-powered figures in the Middle East including £1.25million from Saudi tycoon Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, £1million from King Fahd of Saudia Arabia, the Iranian government and from an American businessman to set up a professorship in the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism.
The report lists many examples of “good practice” donations, including from the Al Jaber Foundation that was used to directly benefit students’ education.
A SOAS spokeswoman said: “Donations are never used for political purposes and academic freedom and debate is never threatened.
“Like all universities, we have clear practices and procedures, which ensure that potential donations are vetted before acceptance and that donors have a clear understanding of the school’s academic and other values.” Think tank report criticises prestigious university over receipt of overseas donations
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