Writer, Infusions into Contemporary Art, Unveiling the World with Indonesian Women Artists, review of ‘Indonesian Women Artists: Infusions Into Contemporary Art’ group exhibition for Plural Art Mag, Singapore

Indonesian Women Artists #3: Infusions Into Contemporary Art was held at the National Gallery of Indonesia in 2021, showcasing works by ten prominent Indonesian female artists over the age of 50, including Arahmaiani, Bibiana Lee, Dolorosa Sinaga, Dyan Anggraini, Indah Arsyad, Melati Suryodarmo, Mella Jaarsma, Nunung W.S., Sri Astari Rasjid, and Titarubi. Curated by Carla Bianpoen, Inda Citraninda Noerhadi, and Citra Smara Dewi, the exhibition featured 32 pieces spanning various media such as painting, sculpture, installation, new media, and performance art. This initiative aimed to highlight the significant contributions of these senior women artists to Indonesia's contemporary art scene, addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in art narratives.

“The featured artworks strongly reflect this curatorial premise, as they do not seek to represent these artists’ womanhood. Instead, the works unveil the artists’ criticisms of global issues —  be it historical, political, or environmental — which affect them and their local and international communities. In fact, visiting the show felt like a journey through the multiple realities that make up our present world.”

– Excerpt from Infusions into Contemporary Art, Unveiling the World with Indonesian Women Artists by Amanda Ariawan, 2021.

Read Amanda’s full review on Plural Art Mag: pluralartmag.com/infusions-into-contemporary-art-review-national-gallery-of-indonesia

Plural Art Mag

Plural Art Mag started out as a student blog founded by Pauline Gan, Luke Chua and Usha Chandradas, three friends who met in art school while pursuing Master’s degrees in Asian Art Histories in Singapore. Art historians might recognise “plurality” as a term that’s bandied around liberally in essays. Here, it encapsulates their founding members’ initials (PLUral) and their outlook on art writing – embracing difference and individuality. United by nothing more than a deep love of the arts, a wicked sense of humour and a burning desire to simplify the language of art academia, they started blogging as a way to reach out to people who want a deeper understanding of Southeast Asian art, but don’t care to be mired in technical gobbledygook. (pluralartmag.com)