This research trajectory aims to unravel stories about, behind, and surrounding the lifelong artistic practice of the painter Kustiyah (1935-2012), who began studying in Yogyakarta’s art school ASRI in 1953, the era that is said to be the golden years of the newly independent country, Indonesia.
A research project on and around Danarto dkk (‘Danarto and friends’) This is the title of a 1982 text that the late Danarto (b. Sragen, Central Java, 1940; d. Jakarta, 2018) would read in various artist talks, what would today be called his ‘artist statement.’ Where better to begin our journey to unravel Danarto’s practice […]
Edhi Sunarso may well be the only artist who worked with all regimes, all throughout the time, including after Reformasi. Artists from Sukarno’s era are generally attached, or associated in whatever ways, to the Indonesia Communist Party or its cultural under-bow, LEKRA. This means that during Soeharto’s regime, they would have been either annihilated, silenced, […]
It is generally agreed by scholars, critics and art practitioners alike that Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru Indonesia (GSRBI, Indonesia New Art Movement) is an influential art collective which has played a very significant role in the development of contemporary art in Indonesia. However, there is very little reliable material or comprehensive information about GSRBI. To […]