Gajah Gallery proudly presents an exciting selection of new work by some of South East Asia’s finest contemporary artists at this year’s Bazaar Art Jakarta (BAJ), held at the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom in Pacific Place from 27 - 30 August 2015.
This year at Bazaar Art Jakarta, artist Ashley Bickerton’s (b. 1959), the prodigal son of New York’s East Village, introduces his latest sculpture work. For the past two years, his Junk Anthropologies painting series depicting silver-coated Balinese women has been a major talking point in the South East Asian contemporary art scene. Now, for the first time, one of his iconic Balinese women will be shown as a full life-sized aluminum sculpture, intricately crafted by the artist with a team of local artisans at the Yogya Art Lab (YAL).
Yunizar (b. 1979) is back with his recently finished series of miniature bronze sculptures. Using improved patina techniques coupled with superb quality bronze imported from America, the artist boasts his interpretation of classical bronze in a contemporary fashion. After undergoing extensive training from American master patineur, Patrick Kipper, the team at Gajah Gallery’s Yogya Art Lab (YAL) has been working tirelessly with Yunizar to produce refined sculptures that capture the unmistakable, trademark style of this influential artist.
Since his seminal exhibition with Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014, Chinese contemporary ink artist Li Jin (b. 1958) has consistently impressed collectors and galleries with his delicate ink on paper works. Inspired by his love of food and festivity, Li Jin’s witty, humorous depictions of the simple pleasures in life embody the vitality and artistic value of contemporary Chinese ink works.
Ugo Untoro’s (b. 1970) latest works reflect his characteristic expression of raw emotions drawn from his affinity for street art and his interest in the peculiar ability of art to move sentiments within people. Each piece carries a palpable atmosphere, perhaps of loneliness or contentment. Untoro, who is known to work fervently with impasto, reveals his obsession with spiritual aesthetics through the textural visuals presented on the surface of his canvas.
Ahmad Zakii Anwar (b. 1955) continues to investigate the corporeality of human and animal bodies in his powerful painting. His hyper-realistic forms bring the viewer into an existential dialogue calling into question our familiarity with our own bodies, our true selves, and adopted or imposed natures.
Sabri Idrus’ (b. 1971) latest collection was the finale exhibition at the former location of Gajah Gallery Singapore, and is now showcased at the new gallery in Yogyakarta. His works are an embodiment of his creative process, cultivated through a multi-layered, synergistic, inter-disciplinary approach, where lines of division are diffused and form remains in flux.
The paintings of Yusra Martunus (b. 1973) are predominantly a study between human beings and found objects; they are also a continuous manipulation of materials and themes that challenge creative norms. According to the artist, the work he will showcase this year at BAJ - entitled ‘15021’, captures the positive ideals of being forward-looking, and forward-thinking.
Rudi Hendriatno (b. 1980) is well known for his specialized kinetic wooden sculptures. His works imbue an alternative notion of contemporary art in Indonesia by returning to the fundamentals of local handicraft. Both seasoned collectors and museum curators laud the intricate mechanisms of his work.
R. Yuki Agriardi (b. 1984) will present works for the first time at BAJ and with Gajah Gallery. His paintings are triggered by a complex interest in the relationship between humans and the natural environment. He indulges his observations of daily life in his pieces, interweaving memories of childhood adventures and questioning the gray areas that we grow into. Yuki’s debut solo exhibition will be held in Singapore this October.