FERMENTED（SINGAPORE）

Mizuma Gallery is delighted to present FERMENTED – A Saga of Indonesian Identity, a group exhibition of Indonesia’s leading contemporary artists featuring Nasirun, Made Wianta, Heri Dono, Indieguerillas, Entang Wiharso, and Angki Purbandono. The exhibition will be held from 7 May to 22 June 2014 and the opening reception will be held on 9 May 2014, coinciding with ten other gallery openings in Gillman Barracks. The show will be curated by Mr. Hermanto Soerjanto, owner of GARIS ARTSPACE, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Nasirun (b. 1965, Cilacap, Central Java) grew up in an isolated place, alienated from the modern world to which he never grew fully acustomed to. Nasirun translates current political, social or personal issues into magical Javanese iconography and philosophy, like looking into our world trough a Javanese stage play. His work which is met with a wide success among Indonesia’s leading collectors and was featured in the Singapore Biennale 2013.

Made Wianta (b. 1949, Tabanan, Bali) is one of the most influential figures behind the development of Balinese contemporary art. First his challenge was to devise concepts that would enable the development his own art and culture while aiming at the universal. In his recent work, the visual references to Balinese identity are blurred, his work more abstract, minimal and essential. Wianta was part of the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003.

Heri Dono (b. 1960, in Jakarta)’s multidisciplinary practice follows the absence of division between traditional art forms in Indonesia, mixing Hindi literature, wayang puppetry, animism and Javanese metaphysics with Indonesian activism and recycling techniques, a wicked sense of humor, and a commitment to social relations and justice. Always travelling, he is the most International contemporary artist of Indonesia.

indieguerillas (Santi Ariestyowanti, b. 1975, Semarang, Central Java & Dyatmiko Lancur Bawono, b. 1972, Semarang, Central Java) Husband and wife duo, “Miko” and “Santi” started out as a graphic design firm, but they are now fully independent artist that is gaining more and more popularity in South East Asia contemporary art scenes. Their modern design background and trials to reconnect with their cultural roots, wayang stories and characters, are intertwined in their production.

Entang Wiharso (b. 1967, Central Java) Leading contemporary Indonesian artist Entang Wiharso produces poignant, provocative paintings and sculptures, in which, as he describes, he depicts “the condition of humans who are often divided by complex, multilayered political, ethnic, racial, and religious systems: they co-exist yet their communication is limited and indirect.” Human figures play important part in his works,figures are interconnected by ornamental vegetation, tongues, tails, intestines, animal skin patterns, fences and detailed landscapes.Through such complicated involvement, Wiharso reveals the hidden beliefs, pressures, and prejudices that have shaped the way humans have (mis)perceived each other throughout time and across cultures.

Angki Purbandono (b. 1971, Cepiring, Central Java) is the most important figure of Indonesian contemporary photography. Widely known for his ‘scanography’, Angki questions the role and existence of the camera as a tool. His work inspired by Man Ray’s “Rayographs” closely relates to his daily life experiences. His previous project with the PAPs (Prison Art Programs) The Swimmers has gained positive responses in the South East Asia contemporary art scenes.

Edwin Roseno (b. 1979, Banyuwangi, East Java) is an upcoming Indonesian contemporary artist who specializes in photography. He dedicates his time not only to his individual work, but also to collaborative work in Ruang MES 56 -a non profit centre for the development of contemporary photography in Indonesia. Since early 2011, he has been working on a project regarding the significant topic of human’s relationship with nature and the environment. His artwork “Green Hypermarket” is a result of this project, where his series of photographs allow viewers to see (or question) the importance humans in maintaining the nature balance on earth.