The Saatchi Gallery To Show "Indonesian Eye ~ Fantasies and Realities"

Written by Elizabeth Wilson Sunday, 28 August 2011 23:50

London.- "Indonesian Eye: Fantasies and Realities", presented by Prudential, is Europe’s first major exhibition of Indonesian contemporary art. Following its successful launch in Jakarta, this unique and exciting collection will now travel to the Saatchi Gallery in London. This exhibition offers the opportunity to view works by Indonesian artists and provides a platform for the country’s contemporary art scene to reach an international audience. "Indonesian Eye" comprises a selection of paintings, sculptures and installations by 18 Indonesian artists. The theme of  the exhibition, Fantasies and Realities, pays tribute to Indonesia’s ancient myths and legends, while also reflecting the influence of modern Indonesia.

Satirical paintings will be shown alongside works offering comment on present  day Indonesian society. Several works employ traditional materials to highlight the country’s rapidly changing society. Some of the works also refer to the influence of Indonesia’s Dutch colonial past. "Indonesian Eye" will be on view at the Saatchi Gallery in London from September 1st through October 9th.

Works from the following emerging and established artists will be exhibited in London: Nindityo Adipurnomo, Samsul Arifin, Ay Tjoe Christine, Andy Dewantoro, Heri Dono, Eddie Hara, Mella Jaarsma, Jompet Kuswidananto, Rudi Mantofani, Wiyoga Muhardanto, Edo Pillu, Julius Ariadhitya Pramuhendra, Angki Purbandono, Haris Purnomo, Agung Mangu Putra, Wedhar Riyadi and Farhan Siki. Artworks in the exhibition have all been selected by an independent, international curatorial team comprising Serenella Ciclitira, curator and Co-founder of Parallel Contemporary Art; Tsong-zung Chang, Guest Professor of China Art Academy in Hangzhou and Director of Hanart TZ Gallery in Hong Kong; and Nigel Hurst, CEO of the Saatchi Gallery. Three Indonesian curators: Jim Supangkat, critic and chief curator of CP Foundation, Jakarta; Asmudo Jono Irianto, an independent curator; and Farah Wardani, Executive Director of Indonesian Visual Art Archive (IVAA) collaborated with the curatorial team.

Nigel Hurst, Chief Executive of the Saatchi Gallery said: “The exhibition in Jakarta was a great success. Therefore, we are thrilled to be working with Indonesian Eye and Prudential again to bring such exciting art works to London and to the Saatchi Gallery. This exhibition will be the first major Indonesian art exhibition in the UK and will serve as a real eye opener for our audience and international visitors to Indonesian culture.”  A book, entitled “Indonesian Eye: Indonesian Contemporary Art”, has been published by SKIRA, to coincide with the opening of the exhibition in Jakarta. The book, edited by Serenella Ciclitira presents over 500 works by 74 contemporary Indonesian artists. The book will be distributed worldwide by Thames & Hudson and by Rizzoli in the United States.

The Saatchi Gallery aims to provide an innovative forum for contemporary art, presenting work by largely unseen young artists or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. The audience for exhibitions of contemporary art has increased widely during the recent years as general awareness and interest in contemporary art has developed both in Britain and abroad. When The Saatchi Gallery first opened over twenty five years ago it was only those who had a dedicated interest in contemporary art who sought out the gallery to see work by new artists. The audience, however, built steadily over the years and by the time the gallery left its second home at County Hall, visitor numbers reached 600,000 per annum, with over 1,000 schools organising student visits. The Saatchi Gallery has worked with media sponsors on a number of shows including The Observer, The Sunday Times, Evening Standard, The Independent on Sunday and Time Out. Many artists showing at The Saatchi Gallery are unknown when first exhibited, not only to the general public but also to the commercial art world. Many of these artists are subsequently offered shows by galleries and museums internationally. In this effect, the gallery also operates as a springboard for young artists to launch their careers. Visit the gallery's website at ... www.saatchigallery.com

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