Indonesia New Art Movement (1975-1989)

Scholars, critics and art practitioners have generally agreed that Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru Indonesia or GSRBI (Indonesia New Art Movement) has played an influential art part in shaping the development of contemporary art in Indonesia. However, there is very little reliable material or comprehensive information that can be found about GSRBI.

To our knowledge, the only official document available is the book titled “Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru Indonesia” edited by Jim Supangkat (Gramedia, Jakarta, 1979). Since then, there has been no new information, in-depth reviews or critical analyses about the role, relevance and legacy of GSRBI in the context of Indonesian art history and within the wider Southeast Asian region.

This new monograph wants to fill in the gaps of information about GSRBI and provide a clearer understanding of the collective 40 years on. Through a collection of specially commissioned essays by writers with keen interests in GSRBI and art practice in Indonesia and/or Southeast Asia during the 1970s, the publication hopes to uncover and highlight particular areas and arguments that have been previously overlooked and re-assess GSRBI’s role and impact in art historical discourse of Indonesia and beyond. We hope that our upcoming publication project can help provide a deeper understanding about GSRBI to the art community and interested members of the public.