‘Sunset Business’ is a short documentary about Leonard Siaw, a renowned Sarawakian street artist and muralist. Exploring his past works, artistic approach, and community impact, the film celebrates his works and dedication to his craft. Siaw broaches on topics surrounding cultural immersion and appreciation, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation and documentation. His murals are more than paint on a wall, they tell stories about the city and those living there.
The term ‘Sunset Business’ refers to a practice slowly going out of business, being overtaken by machinery and technology. This is the core of Siaw’s large-scale murals. He talks about his process, elaborating on how he is commissioned, why he chooses what he paints, and the visual aids he uses throughout the creation. Emphasising the importance of preservation of Sarawakian cultural practices, such as the Ring Ladies, and Kuching’s famous India Street.
The narrative exhibits the stories behind each piece of work, and Siaw’s aesthetic approach, citing how he only uses four colours; red, yellow, blue and white. When questioned about the life span of a mural, he tells us not to worry about it, preservation of his art can be done through photographs and documentation, the paint will peel but the story will remain.
‘Sunset Business’ is an essential documentary about the impact of art on a community and the importance of the protection of culture. It explores several key stories from Kuching and unpacks their relevance to the city. It’s a homage to Leonard Siaw, and his artistic endeavours.
Eleni Modinos 