A larger and more collaborative fair
By Nabila Giovanna

Jakarta’s annual art fair, Art Jakarta is back for its 2023 edition from 17 to 19 November. For the first time, the fair will be held at Hall B3 and C3 of JIEXPO Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, which occupies approximately a 10,000 sqm space. “Moving to this larger space allows us to engage with bigger installation works and more collaborations,” remarks Fair Director Tom Tandio. “We are especially proud to have a host of partners aligned behind us with their tremendous support, all introducing their own projects or presentations in collaboration with artists in designated spaces within one integrated area.”

In total, 68 galleries will be taking part, with 40 galleries from Indonesia and 28 galleries from countries around the region, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, and Australia. Visitors can also look forward to the participation of 14 new galleries, including Baik Art.

Winning artworks from three competitions will be on display, including the six winning works in the Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize in Asia 2023, and the UOB Painting of the Year award-winning works. Additionally, SUPERLIVE, a digital creative platform and website for youth will exhibit three artworks that won the SUPERMUSIC-SUPERSTAR competition. Lastly, Treasury, a digital physical gold trading application will show the parallels between the changing landscape of gold investment and fine arts through ‘Is “This Artwork” in the Room with Us Right Now?’, an artwork by Eldwin Pradipta, which won the 2023 Treasury Art Prize.

There is more to see in the fair’s special presentations. Bibit will present artist Syagini Ratna Wulan’s ‘Memory Mirror Palace’, a development of her piece ‘Lost Verses’ which was displayed at the 2019 Venice Biennale. The installation commands reflective contemplation, prompted by the texts, objects, and the interconnection from one cabinet to another. iForte, an internet service provider, will present ‘NOC//Turne’ by Jeffi Manzani, a mixed-media room installation that weaves together data-driven digital visual projections with industrial telecommunication waste.

In addition, TACO, a provider of flooring and hardwares, collaborates with South Korean artist Park Jihyun to create ‘Thomson 6.1944 S 106.8229’, an artwork made from TACO’s new product line, waste materials and domusong blades. In addition, whisky brand Blue Label, will present ‘IN/TOUNGE/IBLE’, a spatial and taste installation by Rebellionik. And MINI and artist Syaiful Garibaldi highlight Tillandsia usneoides, a type of moss to create a car concept that combines the harmony of nature, camouflage growing aesthetics, and mimicry adaptation.

Ahead of the fair, we spoke with several exhibiting galleries to get a glimpse of what they will present:

Baik Art

Baik Art is participating for the first time in Art Jakarta. The gallery is spearheaded by Susan Baik with galleries in Los Angeles, Seoul and a recently opened branch in Jakarta. They will be showing works of young and senior contemporary artists from Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States, such as Park Jihyun, Tintin Wulia, Suanjaya Kencut, FX Harsono, Adam Handler, Gwon Osang, Kenny Scharf among others. In response to the diverse selection, Baik Art Jakarta Director, Jonathan Harjo says, “By bringing artists from Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States, we would like to present diverse thoughts and approaches in artistic practices, opening possibilities of knowledge and cultural exchanges.”

Arario Gallery

Similarly, Arario Gallery with spaces in Seoul, Cheonan and Shanghai will bring a group of contemporary artists. The group of eight consists of artists from Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea. They are Gwon Osang, Uji Handoko Eko Saputro, Geraldine Javier, Lee Jihyun, Lee Jinju, Noh Sangho, Eko Nugroho and Sim Raejung. South Korean artist Lee Jinju will display two paintings ‘Beside’ and ‘Afterwards’ (2023) that is priced at USD5,500 each.

Gajah Gallery

Rosit Mulyadi, ‘Jiwa Jaman (Zeitgeist)’, 2023, oil on canvas, 200x150cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Gajah Gallery.

Gajah Gallery, based in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Singapore will present a group show of multi-generational contemporary artists from the region which includes I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, Yunizar, Rudi Mantofani, Jane Lee, Mangu Putra, Erizal As, Fadilah Karim, Octora, and Jemana Murti, among others. “Gajah Gallery remains committed to introducing and elevating the recognition of artists in the region on the global stage,” says Founder and Director Jasdeep Sandhu. “We aspire to use our presentation as a platform to demonstrate how the creativity and cultural connections of these featured artists are reshaping contemporary art. Each artist and their work emphasise the depth and boundless potential of the region's artistic heritage."

Art Porters Gallery

Wu Kuan-Te, 氣魄 6 [Spirit 6], 2023, oil on canvas, d. 100 cm, unique piece. Image courtesy of the artist and Art Porters.

Art Porters, based in Singapore, is collaborating with Paris-based Rose Studio Art Gallery for the fair. They will give a joint presentation of contemporary works by Mulyana, Wayan Novi, and Wu Kuan-Te, together with artworks from five street artists, Alphabet, CEET FOUAD, Mist, Nasty, and Stereoflow. The artworks prices range between USD1,100 and USD28,000. This collaboration extends beyond Southeast Asia with Wu Kuan-Te, CEET FOUAD, Mist and Nasty coming from Taiwan, Algeria and France respectively. “Art brings people together,” says Director Guillaume Lévy-Lambert. “Our mission is sharing happiness with art and it’s more important than ever to focus our hearts and minds on the beautiful creations of artists we represent.”

Whitestone Gallery

Kyomori Kohei, ‘Flowing River Rose col.3’, 2023, mineral pigments and UV resin on canvas, 180 x 120cm, image courtesy of the artist and Whitestone Gallery.

With a recently opened space in Singapore and other spaces in Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Whitestone Gallery will be bringing a large selection of contemporary works. Among them are by Takashi Murakami, Tetsuo Mizu, Ay-O, Katsuyoshi Inokuma, Osamu Watanabe, Masayuki Tsubota, Sachiko Kamiki, Chris Succo, Florentijn Hofman, Philip Colbert, Icco Yoshimura, Jiang Miao, Soonik Kwon, Romana Machin, Senko Takahashi, Li Wei & Liu Zhiyin, Wang Yi, Kongkee, Rebecca Bernau, and Kyomori Kohei.

Art Agenda

(L) Mochtar Apin, ‘Bidang Empat Warna’, 1976, oil on canvas, 140 x 95cm. (R) Mochtar Apin, Pemandangan (Landscape)’, 1990, acrylic on canvas, 130 x 140cm. Image courtesy of Art Agenda.

Singapore and Jakarta-based Art Agenda will be presenting both modern and contemporary works. For its modern section, Art Agenda will be collaborating with Art:1 New Museum to showcase 40 works, from Mooi Indie paintings to the pioneer works of abstraction in Indonesia, including the works of Affandi, S. Sudjojono, Mochtar Apin, Arie Smit and Renato Cristiano. Gallery Manager Stella Wenny says, “We have titled our joint modern booth ‘Gaung tanpa Raung’ (Echoes without Roars) because our aim is to be the loudspeaker of these subtle reverberations from the past, and show how impactful they are in present era despite their quietude.” For the contemporary section ‘House of Voices’, she adds, “We feature new works by emerging artists raising difficult themes, anchored in Muhammad Yusuf Siregar’s painting on the 25th anniversary of the May 1998 riot. Works by Mutiara Riswari, Wanti Amelia, Sarita Ibnoe and others speak about the artists’ own experience in navigating a world that has become more and more complicated. Thus, ‘House of Voices’ is a safe space to demonstrate and amplify the voices of young Indonesian artists.”

Bale Project

Bandung-based Bale Project will also unite modern and contemporary art works. Sunaryo’s artworks will be the highlight of the modern section, showing both his earlier piece made during his STPI residency up to his latest work ‘Alam yang Gerah’ (2023) which expresses concerns about the climate crisis. Rita Widagdo’s sculptures will also be displayed. Among them are ‘Lady’ (2000) and ‘Stone Meets Metal’ (1977), loaned from collectors. The contemporary section will show works by Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo, Anastasia Astika, Evi Pangestu, Hedi Soetardja, Iabadiou Piko, Made Wiguna Valasara, Maharani Mancanagara, Michael Binuko, Nurdian Ichsan, Nurrachmat Widyasena, R. Yuki Agriardi, Rega Ayundya, and Theresia A. Sitompul.

ShanghART Gallery

ShanghART Gallery from Shanghai and Singapore will present Chinese artist Sun Xun. The artworks on display stem from the animation feature film ‘Magic of Atlas. Through oil paintings, works on paper, sketches, and movie scripts, viewers can experience the world-building that is featured in the film. Chun Aik, Director of ShanghART Singapore says, “It has been some time since his last showcase in the region, and we believe this will be a good opportunity for the Southeast Asian audience to (re)enter Sun Xun's imaginative universe”.

There is much to look forward to in this lively edition of the fair. Artistic Director Enin Supriyanto says, “Art Jakarta, as a platform and forum, can play an increasingly important role in maintaining the dynamic development of the fine arts scene in Indonesia and even Asia.” Similarly, Natasha Sidharta, who is on the Board of Young Collectors, says, “We use the Art Jakarta platform to give acknowledgement to the art community, so more people can get to know and appreciate them and their creations, as much as we at Art Jakarta do”.

Art & Market is proud to be Art Jakarta 2023 official media partner. See you at the fair!

Art Jakarta 2023 will be held at Hall B3 and C3 of JIEXPO Kemayoran in Central Jakarta from 17 to 19 November. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.