VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The contemporary art market in Indonesia has developed because of the "Asian art boom" of the last two decades, during which the increasing global attention to art from China has helped to increase the popularity and price of Indonesian artworks in the market.

This was conveyed by Director of David Zwirner Gallery from Sisi Art Gallery, Galuh Sukardi in a discussion on Indonesian Contemporary Art, virtually, on Tuesday.

"More Indonesian artworks are selling due to the increase in collectors, both in Indonesia and abroad, who is looking for works by Indonesian artists," she said.

Galuh explained the historical perspective of the development of contemporary art in Indonesia in the last two decades, Indonesian artists are increasingly aware of their identity and have a better understanding of colonial history, she said.

Indonesian artists are now taking advantage of the development of access to information and technology in the production of works. The popularity of contemporary art in Indonesia is also supported by private parties such as the MACAN Museum and active communities such as Ruangrupa.

Indonesian contemporary art shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Indonesian artists, who are independently active in producing bottom-up works of the community in cooperation.

The Indonesian Embassy in London held the Indonesian Contemporary Art discussion in collaboration with the Anglo-Indonesian Society (AIS) organization, which comprises British and Indonesian citizens.

In addition, the discussion also featured British Balinese artist Sinta Tantra who made paintings with an architectural scale, such as bridges. Sinta Tantra wants to make art more of a part of people's daily lives, presenting the social and economic functions of art.

"Art in the public sphere can reach a wider audience and across borders," she said.

One of Sinta Tantra's latest exhibition shows, entitled Modern Times, is inspired by the experience of Charlie Chaplin's visit to Bali in 1932.

Modern Times presents Sinta Tantra's signature paintings on new mediums such as woven fabrics in honor of Balinese culture and metal cutting (inspired by features industrial in the Charlie Chaplin films).

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two speakers have the view that both artists and galleries will be required to explore the use of new media in exhibiting works, such as virtual exhibitions through augmented reality. (Antaranews)