Yavuz Gallery, François Ghebaly, Gajah Gallery, ARTJOG, Art Agenda, SAC Gallery
By Nabila Giovanna W

Ayka Go, ‘collage study 16.9’, 2022, oil on canvas, 38.5 x 38.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Of Shadows and Collected Time

Ayka Go’s ‘Of Shadows and Collected Time’ is her first solo exhibition in Singapore. She illustrates the temporary nature of time and beauty in imperfections through paper, following the Japanese values of ‘mono no aware’ and ‘Wabi-Sabi’. The shapes in her paintings are drawn from the torn and crumpled paper she keeps in her studio. She often changes its composition until it suits the moment she is going through. From there, she draws the composition onto her canvas. Through the masterful use of strong colours, shadows and trompe l’oeil composition as seen in ‘collage study 16.9’ (2022), the viewers can immerse themselves in the dynamic form of paper –- a mundane daily life object.

'Of Shadows and Collected Time' is on show from 16 July to 14 August 2022 at Yavuz Gallery, Gillman Barracks, Singapore. Click here to find out more.

Tammy Nguyen, ‘Angels and Saints No. 3’, 2022, watercolour, vinyl paint, pastel, and metal leaf on paper stretched over wood panel, 30.5 x 23cm. Image courtesy of the artist and François Ghebaly Gallery. Photograph by Izzy Leung.

Four Ways Through a Cave

Tammy Nguyen’s solo show ‘Four Ways Through a Cave’ binds together the artist’s personal experience, history and religion in the form of books and paintings. Her trip to Phong Nha cave, a site widely known as a hiding spot during the Vietnam War inspired her to create books embellished with rich symbolisms of war, local culture, and truth while presenting the different ways of navigating a cave. She also has a fascination with religion which produces images of saints as seen in ‘Angels and Saints No. 3’ (2022). Nature is similarly a common theme in her works.

'Four Ways Through a Cave' is on show from 9 July to 20 August 2022 at François Ghebaly Gallery, Los Angeles, USA. Click here to find out more.

Yunizar, ‘Bonsai’, 2021, cast bronze, edition of 3 and 2 artist proofs, 55 x 55 x 94cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Gajah Gallery.

Navigating Entropy 2022

The second edition of ‘Navigating Entropy’ showcases the works of artists who have partnered with Yogya Art Lab (YAL), a foundry and art space owned by Gajah Gallery. YAL has been a platform of collaboration between artists and craftsmen to create artworks from unconventional mediums such as paper, aluminium, ceramics, glass and bronze as seen in ‘Bonsai’ (2021). In this exhibition, sculptures by Yunizar, Ashley Bickerton, Suzann Victor, Jane Lee, Wei Ligang, Jogen Chowdhury, Handiwirman Saputra and Uji ‘Hahan’ Handoko Eko Saputro are displayed.

'Navigating Entropy' is on show from 23 July to 21 August 2022 at Gajah Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia. Click here to find out more.

Christine Ay Tjoe, 'Personal Denominator', 2022, kinetic installation constructed from air pump, plastic balloon, steel, fiberglass, synthetic fabrics, palm fiber, Dacron, cotton threads, and goose feathers, variable dimensions. Image courtesy of the artist and ARTJOG MMXXII.

ARTJOG MMXXII: Arts in Common – Expanding Awareness

ARTJOG, Indonesia’s largest contemporary art event is fully back at Jogja National Museum after last year's hybrid edition. This year, the show is curated by Agung Hujatnikajennong with “awareness” as its theme. It is the third iteration of its arts-in-common series, following “space” in 2019 and “time” in 2021. Awareness itself speaks of inclusivity in the art world, where people of all backgrounds can participate in creating or admiring art. Among the 61 artists and collectives on display, there are works by disability artists such as Jogja Disability Arts (JDA) and Sanggar Seni Komunitas Tuli Ba(WA)yang. Children artists are also invited to participate, among them are Danish Permata Unguku, Ganesha Javas Ararya, and Suriabumi Sanitpurna (Bolo). Another highlight is the interactive artworks. One of them is Christine Ay Tjoe’s ‘Personal Denominator’ (2022), a special commission for the event and the first artwork visitors can see upon entering the space. Alongside seeing the works of Dolorosa Sinaga, Nunung WS, Angki Purbandono, Alex Abbad and more, visitors can also take part in its public programmes from exhibition tours to meeting artists.

'ARTJOG MMXXII: Arts in Common – Expanding Awareness' is on show from 7 July to 4 September 2022 at Jogja National Museum, Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Click here to find out more.

Popo Iskandar, ‘Bunga Kuning (Yellow Flower)’, 1967, oil on canvas, 59 x 64cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Art Agenda.

The Modernist Series #2: Popo Iskandar. Renung.

‘Renung’ is an exhibition that celebrates the unique practice of Popo Iskandar. He was an artist who was influenced by cubism. This is apparent works such as ‘Bunga Kuning (Yellow Flower)’ (1967). Aside from that, he is also known to develop his own distinct style in the form of representational shapes. At work, he often contemplated his painting and would continue to rework it until he was satisfied. This mix of external and internal influences results in works that are inviting and stimulating.

'The Modernist Series #2: Popo Iskandar' is on show from 6 August to 10 September 2022 at Art Agenda, Jakarta, Indonesia. Click here to find out more.

Kitikong Tilokwattanotai, ‘Colors celebrations’, 2022, acrylic, collage and lacquer on canvas, 42 x 123cm. Image courtesy of the artist and SAC Gallery.

Distance and Existence

‘Distance and Existence’ is a group show of five Thai abstract artists: Kade Javanalikhikara, Amornthep Mahamart, Jiratchaya Pripwai, Aor Sutthiprapha, and Kitikong Tilokwattanotai. It invites visitors to see abstract art beyond its visual appearance and into how the personalities and thoughts of each artist shape the works. The show also aims to deconstruct and describe the progress and state of abstract art within the modern contemporary art movement.

'Distance and Existence' is on show from 23 July to 17 September 2022 at SAC Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand. Click here to find out more.