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Let me introduce myself!
Many thoughts run through my head when I'm out and about, some controversial, some REALLY controversial, and others not so much. Yesterday, I was thinking about the time Lady Gaga’s concert in Jakarta was cancelled because of demonstrations. Just now, I was thinking about how religion is capitalised on and wondered if that sort of business is ethical or not. Throughout the 9 months I spent in school, and the 12 I spent at home, DP visual arts made me reflect on a multitude of events that Indonesian society has seemingly moved on from but haven't learned from just yet. I hope that my artworks will encourage you to look at things from a fresh, albeit controversial, perspective and to reflect on your contribution (or lack thereof) to these events.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Too Big (2020)
Mixed Media
80cm X 155cm
Fitting into pants has been something I struggled with throughout my life but oftentimes there’s just nothing I can do about it. I used that as a metaphor in this artwork to ask the viewer, “why can’t I fulfil people's expectations of me?” To which the answer is simply because they expect too much. The orange skin tone invokes a sense of worry, and the multicoloured tags symbolize how different people’s expectations can be.
Death by COVID (2020)
Mixed Media
45cm x 65cm
Joshua Irmandi’s viral photograph of a COVID corpse whose body is wrapped in plastic made me realize the severity of COVID. This artwork is from the perspective of said patient who has passed away. The shadow is of a hospital staff who wraps their body in plastic, further shown through the layers of saran wrap placed over the photo. The short poem written in pastel provides a narrative and asks “why do you go out during COVID?”
Material world (2020)
Air-dry clay and paper mache
30cm x 30cm x 20cm
As a child, when I was taught to pray, I usually pray for money. Today I see the deeper purpose of religion in my life, but that has not stopped others from seeking material gain or capitalizing on religion. Asking the question: “why do you pray?” I portrayed the synthetic significance of material wealth in the practice of religion through the paper mache of play money.
Mother monster (2020)
Acrylic on acrylic panel
42cm x 59.4cm
A pastiche of Q Gen’s Lady Gaga hate poster, this layered painting asks “why did Indonesians demonstrate against Lady Gaga's concert in 2012?” The silhouette of a scared man when the panel is shown through the light represents how behind all this hate is fear of what people don’t understand. The phrase “Dear Allah, protect me from the devil gaga”, shows how religion is used to manipulate Indonesian society into conflict.
Chains (2020)
Oil pastel paper puppet
91cm X 60cm
“Chains”, inspired by Eko Nugroho’s puppet series, asks “why is inequality prevalent in Indonesia”. The malnourished body shows the failure of Indonesian society in upholding 2 values of the Pancasila, "Kemanusiaan yang adil dan beradab" and "Keadilan sosial bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia". The broken golden chain reflects Indonesia’s divide and the wilted cotton and grain stems reflect how justice is dead in the hands of corruption.
Funnel (2020)
Oil pastel paper puppet
91cm X 60cm
The funnel gives education that opens up to show a political agenda. It asks “why is education so problematic in Indonesia” by showing the government using children's education to further their motives. The puppet medium is inspired by Eko Nugroho’s headless paper puppet series, the headless characteristic implies that these problems affect everyone, and the medium reinforces the idea that the students are being controlled.
The Joy of Lone (2019)
Acrylic on canvas
70cm x 70cm
I was selfish at times by not appreciating my friend’s company because I felt entitled to it, and this was ultimately because I have not learned to appreciate people’s time, mine included. Having Eeyore by my side was what helped me grow from this. The blues and cream invoke the sense of comfort and reassurance I felt from Eeyore that let me enjoy spending time alone and appreciate the time others spend on me.
Bananadrama (2019)
Acrylic on canvas
60cm x 50cm
"Why the long face," the apple asked the banana. "Genetics," the banana replied. Throughout online school, I often find myself being the banana in a similar situation where I can’t control what the outcome will be but tirelessly worry over it anyway. This artwork asks the viewer “why be bothered by what you can't change?” when there are so many positive things you can focus on instead.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a look at my exhibition. I would like to credit the success of Kembali Bersuara to all my amazing friends in Visual Arts <3. If u guys are reading this, I could not have done it without your help and motivation, WE DID IT! :)
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