BEYOND YOUTH II
An exhibition by Emerging Artists from Yogyakarta
(A.M. Dante, Akhmad Baharudin, Ashraaf Asyahdan, Bagus Pecut Sumantri, Dayinta Wimala, Dikco Ayudya, Eba Catra Nimpuna, M. Izzanul Faqih, Siiti Mustofiyah (Ofi))
The exhibition “Beyond Youth II: Perseverance” is a continuation of the previous exhibition, “Beyond Youth I: Identity.” As a committed contemporary art gallery, we are delighted to carry on our tradition by presenting “Beyond Youth II.” Just as we did in the previous exhibition, the current exhibition continues to showcase young artists from Yogyakarta. This exhibition aims to bridge the gap between these young artists and the broader Indonesian art community, as well as the gap between artists with formal art education and informal ones.
The participating artists in this exhibition come from diverse backgrounds, encompassing various aspects of life and different experiences. Interestingly, they lack formal education in the field of art. Some come from different academic backgrounds, while others may have entirely different career paths. However, what unites them is their unwavering dedication to pursuing a professional art career.
They serve as inspirational examples for individuals who may be hesitant or feel limited by the uncertainties of pursuing a professional career as an artist. Their success in developing their art and gaining recognition in this exhibition demonstrates that determination, dedication, and a passion for art can prevail even in the absence of a formal art education.
One notable difference between “Beyond Youth I” and “Beyond Youth II” is that the artists in this exhibition have developed a close and unique relationship through their shared experiences of learning and creating together in the same art studio, known as Studio Gangenam. This shared studio experience not only fosters creativity but also deepens the social bonds among them. They have journeyed together through various creative processes, discussing their ideas, supporting each other in overcoming artistic challenges, and perhaps even evolving their art together.
In Gangenam, their journey as artists began with mastering the essential steps of refining their artistic techniques. Initially, they focused on mastering the basics of art, such as using various media and tools, as well as gaining a profound understanding of proportion, composition, and perspective.
Throughout their learning process, they were encouraged to explore different artistic styles and movements, which helped them discover their own creative identities. This included exploring various art approaches, such as realism, abstraction, expressionism, and diverse techniques and concepts in contemporary art.
So, even though their artistic journey began by focusing on technical skills, their learning process extended beyond that, leading to a deeper understanding and expression of the art they produced. They diligently sought references from various sources to broaden their insights into the visual aspects of their work.
Once they could create works in the style they found fitting, they began to contemplate the conceptual background of their art. In this stage, they delved into deeper thinking about what they wanted to convey through their work. The advantage of not being involved in formal art education is that it allows them to be more honest and free from the constraints and expectations that often accompany art. Thus, their works are always grounded in their surroundings. Their concepts are not overly complex, but the art they produce reflects their experiences, references, and perceptions of their own lives.
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