“Sip!” Three generations of Indonesian Art in Singapore – picture feast

“Sip! Indonesian Art Today” features sixteen artists from three generations at ARNDT Singapore. 

The travelling exhibition “Sip! Indonesian Art Today”, which originated in Berlin and is currently showing at ARNDT Singapore (14 September to 20 October 2013), spans three generations of Indonesia’s artists, mapping the country’s journey from totalitarianism to booming democracy.

Click here to watch “Two Decades of Indonesian Contemporary Art“, a talk with Enin Supriyanto and gallerist Matthias Arndt from Art Basel Hong Kong 2013.

Sip! Indonesian Art Today“, a travelling exhibition curated by Enin Supriyanto, originated in Berlin at ARNDT and is now showing at ARNDT Singapore at Gillman Barracks (14 September to 20 October 2013), before moving on to Australia and the United Kingdom.

Mella Jaarsma, 'The Senses Cheat You', 2012, five cow leather costumes, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Mella Jaarsma, ‘The Senses Cheat You’, 2012, five cow leather costumes, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

The exhibition includes over forty works incorporating painting, sculpture, installation, photography and film by sixteen contemporary artists living and working in Indonesia today.

Artists in the exhibition

Tromarama, 'Tugu Lentera Listrik', 2013, video animation and digital print installation, 250 x 250 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Tromarama, ‘Tugu Lentera Listrik’, 2013, video animation and digital print installation, 250 x 250 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

The participating artists represent three generations of Indonesian creativity, dating from the late 1970s to the present. Art from the late seventies to the late nineties reflects the socio-political changes that Indonesia underwent on its path to democracy. The second generation created art in the Reformation period, when Indonesia was still undergoing change, while third-generation artists find themselves working in the more stable environment of the last ten years.

The word “sip” in Bahasa Indonesian means good, great and outstanding. The longer the vowel sound (siiiip), the greater the emphasis and enthusiasm expressed.

FX Harsono, 'My Dream My Journey', 2013, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 135 cm each panel. Image courtesy ARNDT.

FX Harsono, ‘My Dream My Journey’, 2013, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 135 cm each panel. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Agus Suwage, 'ErAgus Suwage, 'Eros Kai Thanatos #1', 2010, watercolour and tobacco juice on paper, forty pieces each, 56 x 42 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.os Kai Thanatos #1', 2010, watercolour and tobacco juice on paper, 40 pieces each, 56 x 42 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Agus Suwage, ‘Eros Kai Thanatos #1′, 2010, watercolour and tobacco juice on paper, forty pieces each, 56 x 42 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

J. Ariadhitya Pramuhendra, 'Superstar Christ', 2013, fibre-resin, cast, paint, shoe laces, 30 x 9.5 x 9 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

J. Ariadhitya Pramuhendra, ‘Superstar Christ’, 2013, fibre-resin, cast, paint, shoe laces, 30 x 9.5 x 9 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Christine Ay Tjoe, 'Second Studio', 2013, oil on canvas, 170 x 170 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Christine Ay Tjoe, ‘Second Studio’, 2013, oil on canvas, 170 x 170 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Curator Enin Supriyanto

Indonesia-based independent curator Enin Supriyanto, speaking to Art Radar, explained how the exhibition began as a book idea, which then developed into a travelling exhibition. Supriyanto’s hope is that the project “can contribute more insights about the art scene in Indonesia to a larger audience.”

Eko Nugroho, 'La Rue Parle #8.1', 2012, machine embroidered rayon thread on fabric backing, series of 24 embroideries, each ca. 40 x 31 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Eko Nugroho, ‘La Rue Parle #8.1′, 2012, machine embroidered rayon thread on fabric backing, series of 24 embroideries, each 40 x 31 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Wedahar Riyadi, 'The Stranger #1', 2013, oil on canvas, 200 x 130 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Wedahar Riyadi, ‘The Stranger #1′, 2013, oil on canvas, 200 x 130 cm. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Syagini Ratna Wulan, 'SRW #028', 2012, glazed porcelain, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Syagini Ratna Wulan, ‘SRW #028′, 2012, glazed porcelain, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Agung Kurniawan, 'The Holy Kick', 2013, welded steel, paint, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Agung Kurniawan, ‘The Holy Kick’, 2013, welded steel, paint, dimensions variable. Image courtesy ARNDT.

 “Sip! Contemporary Indonesian Art Today” installation view. Image courtesy ARNDT.

“Sip! Contemporary Indonesian Art Today” installation view in Singapore. Image courtesy ARNDT.

 “Sip! Contemporary Indonesian Art Today” installation view. Image courtesy ARNDT.

“Sip! Contemporary Indonesian Art Today” installation view in Singapore. Image courtesy ARNDT.

Susan Kendzulak

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Related Topics: Indonesian artists, emerging artists, art and globalisation, art and politics, picture feasts, gallery shows

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