Printmaking

Septa Adi (16allbermarle Project Space) and Fitri Dwi Kurniasih (Both Galleries)

Fitri DK's installation continues her longstanding work documenting the struggles of Indonesia's indigenous peoples, especially women, to protect the natural environments to which they have deep spiritual connections. While Fitri's works deal with a range of environmental movements such as logging in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia, much of her work focuses on the decades long struggle of the people of Kendeng. This community, once known for its Samin movement in resistance against Dutch colonisers, have turned their creative and attention-grabbing protests to opposing a mine and cement factory that threatens their farming land. Their torchlight processions and singing is only dwarfed by the courage of the women of the area, who staged a sit-in in front of the State Palace in Jakarta, with their feet held fast in cement blocks.

Septa Adi, a printmaker, adopts the aesthetic strategies of the famous Batuan and Kamasan painting traditions and modernist Balinese painting traditions developed from long established ritual and royal painting tradition. Adi deploys these alongside comic book conventions and references to "Western" pop culture and 20th and 21st century art historical moments.

His works in this exhibition address the anxieties of a world stricken by simmering geo-political tension, outright war and the fear of losing control, both at an individual and societal level.

Unseen Image practise:

Use the above information to inform student learning before or after the Unseen Image practise. 

5 Mark question: Outline the ways an artist incorporates both the traditional and the contemporary in their artmaking?

8 Mark question: How do these two Indonesian artists represent their cultural and history?

12 Mark question: Explain how artists use symbols and techniques to communicate meaning.