Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia at National Gallery of Australia

Zico Albaiquni For evidently, the fine arts do not thrive in the Indies 2018 oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas Courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery, Singapore — **Zico Albaiquni**
*For evidently, the fine arts do not thrive in the Indies* 2018
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery, Singapore

Contemporary Worlds

Indonesia

June 21, 2019 — October 27, 2019

This exhibition looks at the creative practices of Indonesian artists working since the fall of President Suharto in 1998, an event that marked the end of three decades of the repressive, discriminatory New Order regime.

The years from the mid-1990s leading up to this transformative moment in Indonesian history are known as the Reformasi period, when voices of dissent calling for reform became audible. From 1998, in the post-Reformasi era of transition from an authoritarian regime to a democracy, the sudden, unfamiliar opportunity for innumerable individual beliefs and opinions to be broadcast created a declamatory cacophony accompanied by tactical maneuvers as numerous social and political groups jostled for prominence.

The post-Reformasi era of artistic practice in Indonesia has witnessed wide-spread engagement with global issues, and the adoption of new materials and approaches by younger generations of artists. This has been supported by the critical refocussing of art-schools and universities, teachers, curators, collectors and gallerists to determine and champion Indonesia's art history: from within Indonesia, on Indonesian terms.

Of major significance to the post-Reformasi era, is the confident resounding of work by a number of senior artists who have emerged from the Suharto years as inspirational leaders, globally recognised for their pivotal guidance of Indonesian art history throughout an era of repression.

The artists in Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia explore diverse concepts ranging from sexuality, gender roles and family, to environmental concerns, the art market, new materials and forms, the everyday object and how we might listen to and learn from the sounds of Indonesia. This exhibition is a snapshot of creative activities in Indonesia now, and provides witness to an incredibly dynamic group of artists who are engaged, connected and responsive to a number of the most potent ideas and issues, globally.

Spearheaded by the National Gallery’s Asian Art and Contemporary Art curatorial teams, the exhibition is a significant cross-cultural initiative involving numerous Australian and Indonesian experts, particularly collaborating curators Alia Swastika, Enin Supriyanto, Dr Agung Hujatnikajennong and Grace Samboh. The exhibition includes painting, sculpture, installation, moving image, photography and textile, and features a performance program and a film series curated by renowned Indonesian film director Garin Nugroho.

Exhibiting artists in Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia are Zico Albaiquni, Akiq AW, Febie Babyrose, Faisal Habibi, Herbert Hans, Duto Hardono, FX Harsono, Ruddy Hatumena, Mella Jaarsma, Adi ‘Uma Gumma’ Kusuma, Jompet Kuswidananto, MES 56, I Gusti Ayu Kadek (IGAK) Murniasih, Eko Nugroho, Garin Nugroho, Octora, Yudha ‘Fehung’ Kusuma Putera, Tita Salina, Tisna Sanjaya, Handiwirman Saputra, Uji ‘Hahan’ Handoko Eko Saputro, Albert Yonathan Setyawan, Melati Suryodarmo, Agus Suwage, Julian Abraham ‘Togar’, Tromarama, I Made Wiguna Valasara and Entang Wiharso.

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