Singapore's award-winning gallery highlights Yogyakarta artists

Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Singapore

On April 8, Singapore's iPreciation gallery opens an exhibition of eight new-generation Indonesian artists.

Aged between 27 and 35, the works of the artists are among the most recent developments in Yogyakarta, which is considered to be one of Indonesia's art showcases par excellence.

While most hail from the island of Sumatra, they all pursued art studies at the Indonesia Institute of the Arts in Yogyakarta, and currently work and live in the city.

They have exhibited widely, some participating in prestigious art events like the Philip Morris Awards and CP Open Biennale.

Still struggling with issues relating to social and political conditions in the Indonesian context, each of the artists has developed his own unique style.

Take for instance Riki Antoni (born in 1977 in Padang), the youngest in this exhibition, whose images -- oil on canvas -- reveal creatures that blend the human figure with animal characteristics.

One is reminded of the wolf in the children's tale Little Red Riding Hood. Thus he comments on those in power, on manipulation of the weak, on consumerism and materialism that has society in its grip, and he yearns for a society where togetherness and harmony prevail.

Budi Haryono (born in 1968 in Yogyakarta), or Budi Ubrux, as he calls himself, is known for his newspaper-wrapped figures on canvas, commenting on social and political issues. His greatest critique is the information and media influx that tends to shape the public's opinion in a manner that is out of proportion.

The large national flag lined with tiny newspaper "decorations" in his painting (oil on canvas) titled Back to Nature reflects his desire for his people to let their inner selves speak rather than be overwhelmed by outside influences.

Rudi Mantofani (born 1973 in Padang, West Sumatra), who is known for his artistic precision in his aesthetic three- dimensional work, is here represented by paintings that reveal the same finesse, while the application of volume and space denotes his close relation with the three-dimensional.

Large, stone sculpture-like images, juxtaposed as if almost reaching the sky, evoke a sense of the surreal. Subtly critical, with a touch of the philosophical, and almost lyrical, Mantofani reveals his dismay with the poor state of his country in spite of its rich resources.

But somehow, as seen in his acrylic painting Terlihat dan Tak Tampak, there is an inner energy that even comes out of stone, and makes people overcome, as seen in the painting Mendekati Langit, showing tiny trees growing on the huge barren stone that reaches out to the sky.

Yunizar (born in 1971 in Talawi, West Sumatra), too, takes his inspiration from social and political circumstances. Yet his critique is very subtle, using pale colors of white and very light brown in a painting that may not evoke anything in the viewer.

But he says that Letter Without Meaning, as the oil painting is titled, is about people who talk a lot, but without content.

Gusmen Heriadi (born in 1974 in Pariaman, West Sumatra) is more expressive, his oil on canvas revealing an atmosphere of chaos, and even a sense of violence. His painting Big City Night is a sharp critique on the urban condition, with its great discrepancy between the well-off and the very poor.

For all the critique, Alfi Jumaldi (born in 1973 in West Sumatra), evidently chose another path to come to grips with political, social and cultural issues.

In the first painting of his meditation series -- acrylic and pencil on canvas -- he uses a green cactus to symbolize the strong spirit of life, which is planted in the midst of a light brown canvas with text in the background that suggests notes on historical evolution.

Alfi says he is inspired by Khalil Gibran's spiritual energy.

There is also an oil and pencil on canvas by Kadek Susila Dwiyana. While the image the painting conveys does not say much apart from the mountain top that rises up before a window, the mixture of pencil and oil is quite interesting.

This is the first time that iPreciation has held an exhibition of Indonesian artists.

Helina Chan, the owner of the gallery, who recently received the Tourism Entrepreneur Award from the Singapore Tourism Board, says she thinks young Indonesian artists are gifted with fascinating creativity.