I Made Djirna "To Truly Return, We Must Belong: Djirna’s Tapak Dara" (SINGAPORE)

Solo Exhibition by I Made Bayuaji

5 April – 15 June 2025

Artist Talk: Saturday, 5 April 2025, 3pm – 4pm

Opening Reception / Vernissage: Saturday, 5 April 2025, 4pm – 7pm

 

Mizuma Gallery is pleased to announce To Truly Return, We Must Belong: Djirna’s Tapak Dara, a solo exhibition by I Made Djirna. The exhibition showcases new paintings by the internationally acclaimed Indonesian artist, bridging traditional Balinese culture and philosophy through dynamic mixed-media works on canvas.

 

“As an artist, I realised that my works cannot be separated from the rhythmic balance that emerges from my breath. In particular, the issues of alienation and the pursuit of balance became the thread that connects my works in this solo exhibition, To Truly Return, We Must Belong: Djirna’s Tapak Dara.”

— I Made Djirna, 2025

 

To Truly Return, We Must Belong: Djirna’s Tapak Dara began with fundamental questions about existence— questions that touch on our own balance and harmony as individuals, as well as our place within the interconnected social and natural environment. Balance in life is a universal concept, yet it is also deeply personal, shaped by where and how we live. For I Made Djirna, who is deeply rooted in Balinese culture, the values of Balinese tradition serve as his ‘breath’—a guiding force in both daily life and artistic practice. Central to this exhibition is the sacred symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism of Tapak Dara, represented by two crossed lines (+), a simple variant of the swastika that embodies the unification of duality (Rwabhineda). The vertical line symbolises devotion to the Universe, while the horizontal signifies reciprocal devotion to fellow human beings. As a visual form of prayer (rajah), Tapak Dara acts as both protection and a reminder of the balance between the macro and microcosmos—between the vast world and the intimate self.

 

Having witnessed the rapid transformation of communication and social interaction, he reflects on how modern shifts create a sense of detachment from others, the environment, and even oneself. His artistic practice becomes a way of navigating this disconnection, guided by an internal compass rooted in Balinese philosophy.

 

The works in this exhibition were formed from fluid and dynamic experiences, re-imagined in a non-chronological way, mirroring how balance is something we must continuously navigate. The use of colour, material responses, and visual language all reflect the perspectives and experiences shaped by Tapak Dara. In all space and time, we find ourselves at the point of two intersecting lines, constantly leaning one way or another to sustain balance. This exhibition is a meditation on this ever-present negotiation, inviting us to reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the rhythm of existence itself.

 

To Truly Return, We Must Belong: Djirna’s Tapak Dara, a solo exhibition by I Made Djirna, will run from 5 April to 15 June 2025. The exhibition, reception, and artist talk session are free and are open to the public. To confirm your attendance, kindly RSVP at info@mizuma.sg.

 

 

About the Artist

 

I Made Djirna, (b. 1957, Bali, Indonesia) graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1985. Djirna grew up in a village in Ubud, Bali, surrounded by Balinese stories of spirits, dance, and shadow puppetry. The people of Ubud treated traditions, customs, and religion with great significance, as it was believed that it could help achieve peace and well-being – a principle of life rooted deep down in Djirna’s heart. Through his works, Djirna explores the social and political issues of Indonesia and human relationships. Exploring the use of different materials, techniques and styles, he masterfully translates these thoughts and emotions into his paintings and installations. His solo exhibitions include The Voice of Nature at Mizuma Gallery, Singapore (2021); The Logic of Ritual at Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2013); Seascapes at Gajah Gallery, Singapore (2007); and his first solo exhibition at the Northern Territory Museum of Art and Sciences, Darwin, Australia (1989). His past exhibitions also extend widely across Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Canada and the United States. I Made Djirna lives and works in Bali, Indonesia.

 

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