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The Art World in Focus
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Mangu Putra

MANGU PUTRA

Between History and Quotidian Gajah Gallery 6–22 January 2017 Singapore
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Press Release

Following a successful opening last year, Gajah Gallery is proud to re-exhibit Indonesian contemporary artist Mangu Putra’s solo exhibition, Between History and the Quotidian during Singapore’s Art Week. Putra re-examines historic archival footage of the Dutch colonization in Bali in the early to mid 1900s, drawing together visual and verbal narratives to stage an untold account of history. This follows the artist’s decade-long research interest in uncovering the stories of Indonesian veterans and the surviving fighters of Indonesia’s revolution: a generation of men who have been marginalized by history. Using archival colonial photographs published by Dutch institutions, Putra re-imagines historic scenes, changing the emphasis by placing the Balinese people at the center.

‘Mangu Putra shifts his attention towards the degradation of the natural world and the neglect of those who made Indonesia, as part of a search for spiritual meaning. He brings a dark perspective to this quest for meaning, one that is critical not just of the wider nature of Indonesian politics, but also of those who contribute to the neglect of the environment and of history.’ - Professor Adrian Vickers, Director of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Born in 1963 at Sangeh, Central Bali, Mangu Putra was trained in Yogyakarta at Indonesia’s premier art school, Institute Seni Indonesia (originally ASRI, the Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia). He majored in Design and Visual Communications and worked as a graphic designer until 1997 when he began to pursue career in the Fine Arts. His works have been presented in solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia as well as internationally in Singapore, China, South Korea, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

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About the Artist

Within a short span of time since the beginning of his artistic career, Mangu Putra has caused more than a stir in his exhibitions throughout Indonesia. A graphic designer before turning into full-time painting in 1998, his paintings exude acuteness and sensitivity to visual forms. The influence from his design background is further apparent in his technique and the execution of ideas on his canvasses, where strong lines, shapes and colours are composed in a mature and harmonious manner.

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Also Exhibiting at Gajah Gallery

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Group Exhibition
GROUP EXHIBITION Many Horizons, One Sky Gajah Gallery 18 June–19 July 2026 Singapore
About the Gallery

Based in Singapore, Gajah Gallery explores the diverse socio-cultural interests of Asia through art from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

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Address
39 Keppel Road
Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 03-04
Singapore
Singapore
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday
11am – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday
12pm – 6pm

Public holidays
12pm – 6pm
(1)
Singapore 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 03-04
Gajah Gallery contemporary art gallery in Singapore
Gajah Gallery
39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 03-04, Singapore, Singapore
+65 6737 4202
http://www.gajahgallery.com

Opening hours
Monday – Friday
11am – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday
12pm – 6pm

Public holidays
12pm – 6pm
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