Jakarta’s annual art fair
By Nabila Giovanna W

Following Art Jakarta Virtual in 2020 and the physical pop-up Art Jakarta Gardens in April 2022 at Hutan Kota by Plataran, Art Jakarta will take place at the Jakarta Convention Center from 26 to 28 August 2022 with a total of 62 participating galleries. 39 of these are from Indonesia, and 23 are from the rest of Southeast Asia, as well as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Mujahidin Nurrahman, ‘Women Living in Danger #2’, 2022, hand-cut paper, paint and wood, 195 x 127cm. Image courtesy of the artist and ArtSociates.

Rita Widagdo, 'Different Sounds in Unity', 2015, aluminium, anodized, 140 x 57 x 3cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Bale Project.

Entang Wiharso, ‘Bunga Bangkai’, 2022, acrylic and glitter on canvas, 200 x 150cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Srisasanti Gallery.

Indonesian galleries are focused on promoting modern and contemporary works from local artists in various forms from painting, sculptures to objects. ArtSociates, a gallery from Bandung, will present works from Indonesian artists Eddy Susanto, the winner of Bandung Contemporary Art Award (BaCAA) in 2012, Mujahidin Nurrahman, Etza Meisyara and Jim Allen Abel. Nurrahman’s works mainly speak of his concerns over stigma toward Islam and its relation to violence and terrorism through his paper-cut artworks as seen in ‘Women Living in Danger #2’ (2022). Bale Project is focused on highlighting both historical works and supporting the next generation of artists in Indonesia. Its booth will be divided into two parts to feature modern artists A.D. Pirous, Rita Widagdo, Sunaryo and Umi Dachlan, and equally the contemporary artists Anastasia Astika, Gabriel Aries Setiadi, Hedi Soetardja, Made Wiguna Valasara, Maharani Mancanagara, Meliantha Muliawan, Nurrachmat Widyasena, Rega Ayundya, Satria Nugraha, as well as Septian Harriyoga. Based in Yogyakarta, Srisasanti Gallery will take part in the fair by showing the works of not only artists from Indonesia but also the Philippines and farther afield from France. There will be works by Indonesian artists Entang Wiharso, Heri Dono, Abenk Alter, Addy Debil, Atreyu Moniaga, Fandi Angga, Riono Tanggul, Philippines artist Alfredo Esquillo and French artist Taher Jaoui. This global presentation aligns with the gallery’s goal to develop a global appreciation of their represented artists.

The fair will also be divided into sections: Art Jakarta Spot to highlight installations, AJX to showcase institutions and private companies’ collections, AJ1 for international galleries to display their solo shows, Bali Art Scene to spotlight galleries from Bali, Art Jakarta NFT, SCENE for artist collectives and non-profits to fundraise their cause, Art Jakarta Play as a designated section for children to explore their creative skills and Art Jakarta Talks as a platform for dialogues between art professionals and the audience.

Mella Jaarsma, ‘Mbak Punah I’, 2021, acrylic, charcoal on canvas, 120 x 200cm. Image courtesy of the artist and ROH.

Some galleries are taking part in various sections at the fair. For ROH, ‘ROH Salon’ will present the gallery’s represented artists and collaborators from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. In ‘ROH Projects Projects’, there will be an unconventional presentation called ‘tubuh’. The gallery will also spotlight the works of Bagus Pandega at Art Jakarta Spot and ‘Social Note’ by Uji “Hahan” Handoko, Adi “Umma Gumma” Kusuma and Black Hand Gang at Art Jakarta Scene.

Nadiah Bamadhaj, ‘Sundal Bolong Mengamankan Patung Wanita Tugu Tani’, 2022, charcoal on paper collage, digital print, aluminium and plywood, 206 x 131 x 10cm. Image courtesy of the artist and A+ Works of Art. — Nadiah Bamadhaj, ‘Sundal Bolong Mengamankan Patung Wanita Tugu Tani (Sundal Bolong ‘Arrests’ the female form of the Tugu Tani)’, 2022, charcoal on paper collage, digital print, aluminium and plywood, 206 x 131 x 10cm. Image courtesy of the artist and A+ Works of Art.

Ashley Bickerton, 'Double Helix Hammerhead', 2022, resin. Image courtesy of the artist and Gajah Gallery.

Overseas galleries are keen to present the works of Indonesian artists as well. A+ Works of Art from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will exhibit the works of Yogyakarta-based artist Nadiah Bamadhaj in two sections of the fair. Both presentations emphasise her continuous attempt to agitate patriarchal structures through figures of women in history and mythology. In the gallery booth, there will be her solo presentation ‘Mengamankan Ekspektasi’ (2022) about the manifestation of patriarchal expectations through figures of female ghosts. Meanwhile, her multimedia installation ‘Casting Spells for the Movement’ (2021) will be shown at Art Jakarta Spot.

Gajah Gallery, which has physical spaces in both Singapore and Indonesia, will bring new works by Ashley Bickerton, Suzann Victor and Yunizar. Some of them are made in collaboration with the gallery’s Yogya Art Lab (YAL). Bickerton’s work ‘Double Helix Hammerhead’ (2022) explores new perspectives on shark motifs. And Yunizar and Victor’s works comprise of large-scale painting inspired by the ‘Coretan’ series and lens series, respectively. The gallery has also opened a physical space in Jakarta recently, where it held a group show in collaboration with YAL called ‘Navigating Entropy’.

Echoing the sentiments of many who are making their way to the city for the fair this week, Gajah Gallery says, "After almost three years of no physical fair, we are looking forward to finally seeing in person the fruits and evolutions of artists’ practices after such a watershed moment in history; and of course, interacting with the diverse community of artists, collectors, curators, educators, and other art enthusiasts that make up Indonesia’s vibrant contemporary art scene.”

Affandi, 'Aceh Village', 1978, oil on canvas, 99 x 128cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Art Agenda.

Another participating gallery with both a physical presence in Jakarta and Singapore is Art Agenda. For the fair, they are collaborating with Art Magnum, a gallery from India to bring works of seven modernist artists who have studied at or passed through Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati in Santiniketan, India. Titled ‘Dari Tanah Ke Tanah. From Earth To Earth. The Santiniketan & Indonesia Story,’ the presentation displays the works of Indonesian artists Affandi and Rusli and Indian artists Somnath Hore, Reba Hore, Chandana Hore, Binod Behari Mukherjee, and Jogen Chowdhury. This is complemented by the exhibition ‘Renung’ of Popo Iskandar’s works at its gallery space in Wisma Geha, Jakarta.

Justin Lim, 'Electric Afternoon', 2022, acrylic on canvas, 152 x 122cm (unframed), 173 x 142.5cm (framed). Image courtesy of the artist and Richard Koh Fine Art.

Vipoo Srivilasa, 'Mattapatha II (Rose queen II) นางมัทนะพาธา', 2022, ceramic, overglaze pigment and gold luster, 26 x 20 x 12cm. Image courtesy of the artist and SAC Gallery.

Some galleries are focused on introducing artists from their home countries. Richard Koh Fine Art will participate in the fair by showing three contemporary Malaysian artists, Joshua Kane Gomes, Justin Lim and Yeoh Choo Kuan. The works carry a collective message of contemporary life’s struggle that is hidden behind a colourful and engaging façade. Similarly, SAC Gallery from Bangkok, Thailand will display works from ‘The Tangible Tales’ by Vipoo Srivilasa. In this body of work, the artist creates ceramics modelled after characters from local stories and myths of different cultures, such as India, Thailand, China and Indonesia. These works are his attempt to ignite conversations about culture and traditions in modern days.

Hamidi Hadi, 'Rimbun 1', 2022, mixed media, acrylic on canvas, 130 x 100cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Wei-Ling Gallery.

Many of the galleries are returning to the fair. One of them is Wei-Ling Gallery. "It’s wonderful to be back at a physical fair again after all these years, to catch up with collectors and fellow gallerists from the region,” expresses Lim Wei-Ling. At the fair, the gallery will take part by showing the works of two mid-career Malaysian artists, Hamidi Hadi and Yau Bee Ling. Through means of abstraction and details, their works communicate the meaning of life and provide answers to existential distress.

Xu Zhen, 'Passion (Signal 39429632699)', 2022, oil on canvas, 20 x 10cm. Image courtesy of the artist and ShanghART Gallery.

Aside from Southeast Asian artists, visitors to Art Jakarta can look forward to the works of artists from other Asian countries, such as Xu Zhen from China. The artist and curator is represented by ShanghART Gallery. His project ‘Signal’ is an ode to the digital world and the shifting nature of mobile phone screens. Mobile phone-sized paintings from the ‘Passion’ series will be displayed one at a time at the booth and replaced every hour.

Restu Ratnaningtyas, 'Choose Your Fighter', 2021, polyester, cotton, thread, acrylic spray. Image courtesy of the artist and Vin Gallery.

Some galleries have decided on an eclectic selection of artists to show at the fair. For example, Vin Gallery from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam will show a presentation of works by American artist Gabe Weis, Indonesian artists Heri Purwanto, Mahdi Abdullah, Restu Ratnaningtyas, Vendy Methodos and Japanese artist, Yohei Yama.

Ari Bayuaji, ‘Waenilu Beach’, 2022, woven plastic and cotton threads, plastic ropes, copper, 175 x 94 x 8cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Warin Lab Contemporary.

Filippo Sciascia, ‘Lux Lumina’, 2022, oiil on canvas, 65 x 55cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yeo Workshop.

In contrast, some galleries will focus on a singular artist presentation. Warin Lab Contemporary from Bangkok, Thailand will offer a solo exhibition of Ari Bayuaji’s works as an attempt to address pressing environmental and social issues. His work ‘Waenilu Beach’ (2022) is a part of his ongoing art project ‘Weaving the Ocean’ that recycles marine debris into textile art, in collaboration with Balinese artisans. Yeo Workshop will also have a solo presentation of Bali-based Italian artist Filippo Sciascia. Through his works, the gallery strives to highlight Bali’s natural artistic landscape and resources.

Art Jakarta has consistently committed to supporting the Indonesian art ecosystem through its vibrant fairs and activations, and there is palpable excitement for the upcoming edition for the local and regional art communities to reconnect in persron. Art & Market is proud to be a media partner of Art Jakarta, and the team looks forward to attending the fair.

Art Jakarta 2022 will be held at Jakarta Convention Center from 26 to 28 August from 1 PM to 9 PM. VIP preview and the vernissage will be open on 26 August. Public viewing will be open from 27 to 28 August. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.