Fallen Angels: Indonesia’s Birds of Paradise
The bird of paradise, Cendrawasih in Bahasa Indonesia, holds a special place as a symbol of New Guinea and Indonesia, drawing visitors from around the globe to witness these majestic birds in their natural habitat on the second largest island in the world. However, for centuries, these birds remained as mysterious as the prized spices
The Origin of Wayang Kristal
The art of wayang – flat leather puppetry – is closely related to Javane theater. Its characters tells stories usually derived from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics, but nowadays, new variations are emerging. Some puppeteers use their own storylines, others invent new forms with new materials. One of them is Pak Sardi, who makes puppets
Gudskul: Jakarta’s Evolving Art Ecosystem Nurtures a Thriving Creative Community
Jakarta is a fusion of rich ethnic diversity from across the archipelago, merging local Indonesian distinctions with international cultures and ideas. At the grassroots levels, there is a flourishing creative community, with abundant human potential, a dynamic and evolving infrastructure, and increasingly diverse opportunities. A healthy art and creative scene is essential to any modern megacity
ART JAKARTA GARDENS: Art Fair Highlights 3D Works in Lush Open-Air Surroundings
Art Jakarta Gardens, held 23-28 April 2024 amidst the lush greenery at Hutan Kota by Plataran in Semanggi, Jakarta, is a new model of art fair devised in 2022 as a response to the pandemic introducing an exciting and unique format to Southeast Asian art. Art Jakarta Gardens balanced two components. It showcased twenty-three local and
CARE by Patricia Piccinini Set for Exhibition at Museum MACAN
Opening on 25 May 2024, Museum MACAN presents a solo exhibition by globally-recognised Australian artist, Patricia Piccinini, for the first time in Indonesia. Curated by Tobias Berger, the exhibition titled CARE will showcase forty life-size sculptures, three large video installations, along with Celestial Field (2021), a spectacular installation of thousands of flowers. Piccinini’s one-of-a-kind sculptures
Awangart’s Sophisticated Fractal Vision Invite Us To Engage With Nature’s Repetitive Designs
Spirals of vibrant circular geometric designs pulsate from central points. Layers of contrasting structured, repetitious patterns fills the canvas with stunning visual information. While we gaze upon the seemingly unknown vistas of movement with dazzling colour alongside earthy tones, cosmic landscapes and natural elements such as flowers and leaves remind us of home. We engage
W.G. Hofker’s Artistic Odyssey and the Cultural Tapestry that Inspired Him
European painters have long been captivated by the beauty of Indonesia. The stunning landscapes and rich colorful heritage have served as an inspiration for many renowned artists throughout history. In this article, Sake Santema from Indies Gallery presents a few works from his collection by Willem G Hofker, whose life and work became deeply intertwined
In Focus: Bandung Contemporary Artist Alfiah Rahdini
A young Indonesian lady wearing a hijab sits crossed-legged, making the Dharmachakra mudra hand gesture, meditating on a yoga mat positioned upon a lotus throne. The beautiful life-sized sculpture, ‘Sri Naura Paramita,’ its creator stylised as the subject, is immediately compelling, tinged with light-heartedness, yet packs a mighty blow. The sculpture by emerging Bandung multi-disciplined
Art Agenda: Appreciating Southeast Asia’s History Through Art
Within the landscape of Southeast Asian art, cultures and history intertwine. This union has created a diverse art scene that is also complex and bespoke to the region. Art Agenda stands as a bridge that connects cultures, art enthusiasts and artworks from post-war Southeast Asia. Founded in 2016 by Wang Zineng, who has a deep
ART Jakarta 2023: Southeast Asia’s Premier Art Fair Returns This November
Art Jakarta is the premier Southeast Asian-focused art fair in Asia, located in the heart of the most significant art market of the region, Jakarta. It is an indispensable platform for contemporary art exchange and an international forum for key stakeholders in Asia to serve the region’s burgeoning art ecosystem. This year, Art Jakarta 2023
The Art of Decorating with Antique Maps and Prints
In an era mostly dominated by mass-produced and generic decor, antique maps and prints have stood the test of time. While for centuries published in books and atlases used mainly for science and educational purposes, they now seamlessly blend into a variety of interior design styles, from traditional to contemporary. A vintage world map can
ISA Art Gallery Presents a Cross-Generational Exhibition of Bandung Artists
ISA Art Gallery presents the ‘Mother Tongue – Are You There?’ exhibition from 16 September – 17 October 2023, showcasing three generations of Bandung artists with diverse backgrounds and media. This exhibition highlights how Bandung artists blend their mother tongue with contemporary influences to create stunning artworks that unite tradition with modernity. Bandung is renowned
Mental Health Activist Hana Madness, An Art Success Story
I first met Hana Madness at the discussion “Art Has Saved My Life”, led by two Indonesian art activists at the Rumah Sanur Creative Hub, Bali, in June 2019. The discussion was one of the forums of Ayo Ketemu! (Let’s Meet!), an innovative entrepreneurial, creative program for Indonesians with mental and physical disabilities. Hana spoke of utilising
