On Tradition: Contemporary art from Indonesia

4 May – 9 June

On Tradition: Contemporary art from Indonesia is an exhibition in two parts held across Delmar Gallery and 16albermarle Project Space.  It is curated by Dr Elly Kent, lecturer in Indonesian Studies at ANU.

On Tradition: Contemporary art from Indonesia presents artists and collectives from across the Indonesian archipelago who work with traditional art practices in contemporary contexts.

While the contemporary and the traditional have often been seen as binaries when looking at Indonesian art, this exhibition reveals the crossovers and new forms which are developing.

Alongside artists working in Java and Bali, the exhibition features an equal number from outlying areas including Sumba, North Maluku, West Timor, North Sumatra, Kalimantan and West Papua.

Whether with criticality, nostalgia, documentary precision or whole-hearted embrace, the works in On Tradition show that artists’ relationships with tradition are not a straight line from the past to the future, but a vibrant cycle of perpetual reimagining.

Alfred W. Djami, Ermelinda 2022, digital print and yarn embroidery on canvas, 76 x 55 cm

Delmar Gallery
Trinity Grammar School, 144 Victoria St, Ashfield

Featured artists:
Rizka Azizah Hayati / Broken Pitch x Juanga Culture / Alfred W. Djami / Fitriani Dwi Kurniasih / Nency Dwi Ratna / Ni Luh Pangestu / Udeido Collective

Exhibition dates: 4 May – 9 June, 2024
Gallery hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12-5pm. Free admission.

Rizka Azizah Hayati Magical Crocodile 2022 (detail), mixed media, 600 x 300 x 200 cm

16albermarle Project Space
16 Albermarle St, Newtown

Featured artists:
Septa Adi / Dewie Bukit / Fitriani Dwi Kurniasih / Arie Dyanto / Dias Prabu / Sangkakala

Exhibition dates: 4 May – 29 June, 2024
Gallery hours: Thursday – Saturday, 11am-5pm. Free admission.

The band Sangkakala photographed for Biennale Jogja X 2009

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

SATURDAY 18 MAY 6-9PM
ON INDONESIAN: WEARABLE ART & HIP HOP
ASHFIELD TOWN HALL

A showcase of Indonesian wearable art by Indonesian communities and diaspora, and performance by Presiden Tidore and his crew.  Free admission.

DETAILS
Fashion & live music performance | 6–9pm

SUNDAY 19 MAY 2024
INDONESIAN ART ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE: PANEL DISCUSSION
DELMAR GALLERY

Curator Asep Topan and international arts relations specialist Afrina Rosmani will share their experiences in curating exhibitions of Indonesian art on the world stage, in a lively discussion led by Elly Kent.  Free admission, bookings required.

DETAILS
Panel discussion | 2-3pm


  • 29 April 2024