Just enjoy the vast sweeping vista of his pieces, so rich and complex in visual story telling. You need not know much about the region he lives in, as the art do inform with elements of the archipelago’s architecture like the curvilinear roofs of the Minangkabau people which resembles buffalo horns (tribal name means the buffalo that won). Yet each of his art pieces do get injected with elements of the fantastical like floating islands and eyes in the sky from beyond the cosmos.
Wiryawan Purboyo aka Wiwitaek utilizes the dimensionality of buildings and rooms to explore the different compartments of the human psyche.
He considers himself a surrealist in which he collides fact and fiction together.
Sanuri's works are very much immersed in the folklore of the region and which are often populated by scenes of tropical environment, be they man made or natural, and usually juxtaposed by the whimsical. Working as a semiconductor testing engineer by day has probably helped to train and fine tune his eye for complex micro details. His work with graphite and ink are as intricate and complex as micro electronics, in which every line seems to be a story of it’s own.
Diela Maharanie’s works that have been curated into this exhibition also depict the playful side of humanity enjoying the bounty of the flora and fauna of the archipelago. Her works exudes child-like wonder of how certain flowers and trees and plants may look like- basically reimagining tapestry of nature with every colour carrying a function in the ecosystem of her world.
Melda's characters have their eyes closed suggesting introspection. Her works depicts a peaceful inner world that might bring about memories of childhood innocence for the viewers.
“I expressed all my thoughts through my works, but it turned out that my works also read back to my character, my mood, and all the circumstances that were influencing my feelings. I always call it ‘My work draws me back’, and this is an interaction process that I really like and appreciate every time I create”.
The works of Arya Wirawan reimagines these guardian spirits in his own ways.
If it looks like he’s remaking them into 21st century superheroes, it’s because he spent his youth as part of a team that did the inks for American comic books! He is a life-long artist who has been quite successful in the regional art scene since childhood.
In his own words:
“What i had in mind for most of my art idea is social situation and cultural issue such as local wisdom that i believe always connected each other as a loop of social matter and the solving problem essences, the point is to keep moving on as the age timeline but not to forget the cultural roots as our unique identity.
“But somehow i love urban art as much as i love traditional art, so i always try to mixed both of it as a big idea of my ‘past, present,and future’ continous concept through my own visual enclosure or the narratives part which is will not bond into just one themes or visual enclosure only, cause I want my art to be represented by me not just my visual enclosure.”
Wickana's works usually depicts children shaped like dolls with large head and large eyes in the company of ghosts and monsters from Nusantara folklores.
“My black and white works portray duality interpretation, displaying a contrast with cute and creepy, yet playful but gloomy at the same time; composing two opposing ideas that complement each other. My artworks are often inspired by a combination of personal experience and her affection for horror movies/stories.“
My recent works have been exploring the nature of identity within shifting realities brought about by advancing tech and changing rhetorics in use of language. Otherwise known as censorship and thought control and how we adapt. I usually utilize cyberpunk visuals to do this.
On the artworks in this show, the first piece reimagines what the ancient deity Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice (abundance) and fertility might be like transitioning into a digital form for the metaverse.
To paraphrase Rizal -“I am a petrol station attendant by day, and I create dark magic by night”.
That is no exaggeration. With an extensive portfolio of works exploring similiar themes using the same techniques that gets more and more refined over time, his art, which draws from his immediate surroundings and from darker folk superstitions around him, does make one feel and think at the same time.
My name is Kittin Klamchuen. I’m from Thailand. My pen name is Tanpopoe. I’m an illustrator from Thailand. I like to draw characters that look like me.
I would like to take my characters on a trip to various foreign countries to perform my artwork and I want to be a famous artist who draws what I like.
I think Thai people have many talents. There are many Thai people who are good, such as boxers, singers, and many other things. And I wanted to be as good as them, I took what they were good at and used my character to express it.
I've been interested in art since college, and I've studied fine art in Bangkok all the way through my master's degree in visual art. I've been creating art, both for myself and for commission, ever since I started school. When it comes to the influence of life's journey, I believe it always changes us, shifts our perspectives, and has both positive and negative effects on our minds and thoughts. This is true at every stage of our lives, from childhood to adulthood.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in fine art, specializing in printmaking and etching techniques, I've pursued a career that seamlessly blends my passion for art with my entrepreneurial spirit.
Beyond creating art, I also manage a small bar in Bangkok. This dual role has given me a unique perspective on the human experience, allowing me to connect with people from all walks of life and gain insights into their joys, struggles, and aspirations. These interactions often spark new ideas and perspectives that enrich my artistic expression. My art is not just about creating beautiful pieces; it's about understanding the world around me and connecting with others on a deeper level.
My Work’s mostly influenced by my personal relationships; they always have something to convey. When I have an argument with my partner, I channel that emotion into my paintings.
When we create beautiful memories together, I continue drawing. And even when our relationship came to an end, I kept on drawing. So, my last relationship taught me a lot about life—how to find balance and keep moving forward with a passionate desire, especially in navigating my first positive relationship.
However, it's important to note that all the female characters are not fixed as her. My preference for drawing women also ties into my own emotional fragility. As a man, I find it challenging to openly express my emotions in a social.
