Yaya Sung

Yaya Sung

Artist Bio

Yaya Sung (b. 1986) is a multidisciplinary artist working and living in Jakarta. She works in different mediums including photography, image/photo-based installation, videography, performance, text and design installation. As Chinese Indonesian, Yaya is determined to use fear and trauma as an entry point to understand her identity and the meaning of her existence. Her work explores themes related to history, politics and identity of Chinese descendants in Indonesia, as well as women’s rights and activism in Indonesia. 

Yaya has presented her works in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. She has recently shown at RMIT University Melbourne, Taipei Cultural Foundation, Bus Projects

Melbourne, Rubanah Underground Hub Jakarta, National Gallery of Indonesia, Monash Art Design and Architecture Melbourne and 2019 Indonesian Contemporary Art and Design (ICAD). Yaya graduated from the Art and Design pre-master programme course in Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts in the United Kingdom and Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication and Design from University of Pelita Harapan Jakarta. Yaya has been awarded artist of the year in 2019 by Elle Awards Indonesia. 

Artist Statement

Lately for me, the concept of ‘surviving in life’ means sneakily creating works in the middle of the night. During the day, it is almost impossible to shift my mind to creative thinking for my brain and energy are wholefully drained to domestic chores. With COVID-19 still being a threat in the outside world, I am cemented at home and realized that there are limitations in mediums and research methods that I can do as my usual practice. The artwork proposed for Indonesia Calling 2020 is the product of my ‘escape’ during these tough times, a needed release in the wee hours for the sake of my sanity. It is a continuity of an ongoing body of work that explores a text-based print series called Borderline Engagement that combines handwritings, scanned images of objects that are around me and in everyday use. A few examples include baby related products, toys, and flowers. The act of reusing household products is an attempt to exempt myself from my responsibility as a mother and to reclaim my existence that felt ‘stolen’ sometimes. The texts are a combination of questions statements and manifestos that arise naturally since having to balance between being an artist and a mother. I am currently fighting to persevere and not to completely lose my autonomous-self while striving to become the best nurturer for my daughter.

SELECTED WORKS