Guests who attended The Crossing Theatre’s opening night of Bali 9 ringleader Myuran Sukumaran’s combined film and art exhibition ‘72 Hours’ were given an intimate insight into the confronting story.
On April 29, 2015, at 34-years-old, Sukumaran was executed by firing squad for attempting to smuggle drugs out of Indonesia.
But the message behind Sukumaran’s reformation during his 10 years of imprisonment in a Kerobokan jail remains very much alive.
The evening started with a screening of the film Guilty, directed by Matthew Sleeth, a moving portrayal of Sukumaran’s life in captivity including newsreel footage of the case and his family’s emotional contributions.
Guests later proceeded to the art gallery, where the anguish of living with a death sentence in a foreign prison is conveyed in an exhibition of paintings which were passionately created in the last 72 hours of Sukumaran’s life.
Director of Campbelltown Art Centre Michael Dagostino and Archibald prize-winning artist Ben Quilty personally curated the exhibition.
Quilty has worked hard for the past six years to create a story he strongly feels needs to be told.
Ben met Sukumaran when he visited Kerobokan jail and established art classes, teaching and encouraging the prisoners.
He bonded with the death-row inmate and could see a depth, another side to Sukumaran that contradicted his shady past.
Sukumaran continued running Ben’s art classes and became an accomplished artist himself.
Many people believe the reformation during his 10 years imprisonment was absolute, he was a changed man and the death penalty a harsh end to what could have been a fulfilling life and career.
Ben Quilty, together with Joel Backwell, a member of Sukumaran’s legal defence team, both spoke of their experiences and friendship with Sukumaran, their determination to tell his story, and their mission to convert the contentious topic into a humanitarian tragedy that will resonate with families everywhere.
Cultural facilities manager and organiser of the event, Scott Pollock said he was very pleased with the event and the thought-provoking discussions it created.
The film and exhibition event runs until the May 30. Contact The Crossing Theatre for more information.
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